Wednesday, July 19, 2006

CANTRELL RELEASES 2007 INCOMING RECRUITING CLASS

Dahlonega, Ga. – North Georgia College & State University head baseball coach Tom Cantrell announced his incoming freshman class.  The Saints are coming off a 32-29 season in their first year of competition at the NCAA Division II level and in the Peach Belt Conference.

“This group is probably the best freshman recruiting class that we have signed here at North Georgia,” Cantrell said.  “They are young but the ceilings are very high. The whole class can play the game of baseball and should be able to contribute in some form for us to be successful in the Peach Belt for this year and many more down the road.”

This year’s class is highlighted by the signing of:

Craig Brisson, an outfielder from Parkview High School in Lawrenceville, was named Player of the Year by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution after hitting .515 with nine homeruns during his senior season. He also received Player of the Year Awards from the Gwinnett Daily Post, Gwinnett Prep Rally and the Gwinnett Dugout Club.  He was a member of the Georgia 400 club, after hitting seven doubles, four triples, scoring 49 runs, stealing 22 bases and driving 24 during his senior season.

Kevin Morrison, an outfielder from Collins Hill High School in Lawrenceville, brings many accomplishments to Dahlonega for the 2007 season.  He was named Georgia Region 7 Player of the Year and named All-County during senior season.  He was selected in the Georgia Top 80 Showcase.  He hit .375 during his senior season with two homeruns and 28 RBI. He connected for 13 extra-bas hits, including five triples. He currently holds school records at Collins Hill for RBI (5) and stolen bases (3) in a game, as well as season records for plate appearances (109), stolen bases (11), runs scored (25), triples (5), batting average and RBI (28). Morrison helped lead Collins Hill to the Region 7 championship game and state semifinals during his senior season.

Andre Airich, an infielder/outfielder from Roswell High School, joins the Saints for the 2007 season. The 6-1 freshman hit .395 with five homeruns and 27 RBI during his senior season. He also hit eight doubles and scored 24 runs. Over his two-plus years on the varsity level, Airich hit .404 and drove 47 runs.

Daniel Petitti, a catcher from Roswell High School, joins teammate Andre Airich at North Georgia for the 2007 season. He was selected to the Georgia Dugout Club Top 20 during his senior season. The co-captain at Roswell helped lead his team to three state playoff appearances. He was named Most Valuable Player in the Dominican Classic during his freshman season, and named Best Defensive Player of International Travel Baseball during his sophomore season.

Other signees for the upcoming season include:

Don Brice, a right-handed pitcher from Lassiter High School in Marietta, led his team to a state championship in his senior season. He also helped lead the team to three Region 6-AAAA championships and a First Runner-Up finish in the state playoffs during his junior season. Brice hit four homeruns during his senior season.

Dustin Carpenter, an infielder from Lumpkin County High School, choose to stay home and play for the Saints after being named to the Georgia Dugout Club Top 80 during his senior season. He hit .435 with four homeruns and 27 RBI during his senior season.

Brad Hall, a catcher from Duluth High School, will battle Daniel Petitti for playing time behind the plate for Cantrell and the Saints.  Hall was named to the All-County two times during his prep career, and was chosen All-Region in 7-AAAAA. He was named to Team Georgia in his senior season, while helping Duluth to the Final Four in Gwinnett County.

Mike Peters, a right-handed pitcher from North Gwinnett High School, joins the Saints after being named Second Team All-County. The 6-0 freshman hit .372 during his senior season, including pitching a no-hitter and winning the Outstanding Performance Award.

Daniel Sarisky, a high school teammate of Hall and right-handed pitcher from Duluth High School, joins the Saints after helping his team to the Final Four in Gwinnett County.

Mitch Williams, from Oak Ridge Military Academy, will add a left-handed arm to the pitching staff of the Saints.  Williams was named All-Conference four times during his prep career and was the recipient of the Weaver Award – given to the best overall athlete – during his senior season. 

Cantrell also reached into the junior college ranks by signing Chris Curtis from Truett-McConnell Junior College.  Curtis recorded a 7-3 record during his sophomore season, with a 2.58 ERA and 45 strikeouts. Curtis, a product of Gainesville, recorded a 19-13 career record at North Hall High School with 238 strikeouts.

 

-NGCSU-

 

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