Nov. 25, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina baseball program has announced the signing of 11student-athletes to National Letters Of Intent during last week’s NCAA early signing period. The signees are scheduled to enroll at USC in the Fall of 2004. The class features seven high school prospects and four junior college players.

“These 11 signees are a great start to our 2004 recruiting class,” said head coach Ray Tanner. “They will be expected to help continue our success in the SEC and nationally.”

Carolina has reached the College World Series the last two seasons and made four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Super Regionals. The Gamecocks have won two of the last four SEC championships and four of the last five SEC Eastern Division titles. Carolina recruiting classes have been ranked in the Top 11 the last six seasons dating back to 1998. Last season’s recruiting class was tied for first in the nation by Collegiate Baseball and second in the nation by Baseball America.

South Carolina opens the 2004 season on February 7 at Wofford.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA FALL 2003 EARLY BASEBALL SIGNEES

NAME — POS. B/T HT. WGT. HOMETOWN CURRENT SCHOOL

Chris Brown, INF/OF — R/R — 5-11, 190 — Miramar, Fla. — Manatee CC (Fla.)

Trey Delk, RHP — R/R — 5-10, 175 — Elgin, S.C. — Lugoff-Elgin HS

Christian Garcia, C — R/R — 6-4, 190 — Miami, Fla. — Gulliver Prep HS

Neil Giesler, 1B/3B — L/R — 6-5, 190 — Jasper, Ind. — Okaloosa-Walton CC (Fla.)

Brad Hocking , RHP — R/R — 6-2, 185 — Greer, S.C. — Riverside HS

A.J. Johnson, OF– R/R — 6-1, 190 — Jacksonville, Fla. — Tallahassee CC (Fla.)

Benny Nieto, LHP — L/L — 5-11, 225 — Ontario, Calif. — Riverside CC (Calif.)

Wynn Pelzer , RHP/OF — R/R– 6-0, 190 — Holly Hill, S.C. — Holly Hill Roberts

Michael Schlact, RHP — R/R 6-8, 225 — Marietta, Ga. — Wheeler HS

Craig Thomas, LHP — L/L– 6-3, 180 — Lexington, S.C. — Lexington, S.C.

Brandon White, LHP — L/L– 5-10, 150 — Summerville, S.C. — Summerville HS

Chris Brown INF/OF R/R 5-11 190 Miramar, Fla. Manatee CC (Fla.)
– 2002 Major League Baseball Draft Pick — 41st round; Minnesota Twins
– Freshman year of junior college batted .337 with 12 doubles, five triples, three HR and 24 RBI as well as 20/20 in stolen bases
– Played in the 2003 Florida JC All-Star Game in Winter Haven, Fla.

Trey Delk RHP R/R 5-10 175 Elgin, S.C. Lugoff-Elgin HS
– Earned All-Area and was named AAA Region IV Player of the Year as a junior
– Went 6-1 with 80 strikeouts and three walks in 44 innings pitched as a junior
– Hurled 59 innings and finished with a 6-3 record with 89 strikeouts as a sophomore
– Member of Beta Club and National Honor Society; ranks 21st in class of 269 students

Christian Garcia C R/R 6-4 190 Miami, Fla. Gulliver Prep HS
– No. 66 rated prospect in the nation by Baseball America/Prospects Plus
– No. 13 highest rated senior in the state of Florida by Baseball America/Prospects Plus
– One of 40 players in the nation to be invited to the Baseball America AFLAC Classic
– Attended East Coast Professional Showcase and PG Mutual Showcase
– As a junior batted .430 with eight HR and 40 RBI
– Played in CABA High School World Series in Euclid, Ohio; helped team win championship and Golden Glove Award

Neil Giesler 3B/1B L/R 6-5 190 Jasper, Ind. Okaloosa-Walton CC (Fla.)
– 2003 Major League Baseball Draft Pick – 37th round; Chicago White Sox
– 2002 Major League Baseball Draft Pick – 29th round; Chicago White Sox
– Batted .417 with six HR and 43 RBI in first year at Okaloosa Walton CC, batting average was seventh highest in FCCAA, also had 14 doubles on the season
– NJCAA All-District honoree as a freshman
– Played in the 2003 Florida JC All-Star Game in Winter Haven, Fla.

Brad Hocking RHP R/R 6-2 185 Greer, S.C. Riverside HS
– No. 146 rated prospect in the nation by Baseball America/Prospects Plus
– No. 4 highest rated senior in the state of South Carolina by Baseball America/Prospects Plus
– Went 10-0 with a 0.97 ERA in 58 innings pitched with 83 strikeouts and 12 walks as a junior
– Member of 2003 SC AAA State Championship Team
– Named to National Baseball Coaches Association District III Team
– 2003 SCBCA and High School Sports Report AAA State Player of the Year
– Named to World Wood Bat Association Underclassman All-Tournament Team (Ft. Meyers, Fla.)
– Currently first in his class at Riverside HS and finished with a 1450 SAT
– Active member of National Honor Society and Key Club
– Has served with Boys and Girls club and Meals on Wheels

A.J. Johnson OF R/R 6-1 190 Jacksonville, Fla. Tallahassee CC (Fla.)
– All Panhandle Conference First Team selection
– Finished his freshman year at Tallahassee CC with a .346 batting average, 15 doubles, four HR and 30 RBI
– At Bishop Kenny HS, was a two-time 4A All-State performer, team MVP, voted to the FACA All-Star Game and a member of the 4A state championship team
– CABA World Series All-Tournament Team and a two-time All First Coast honoree
– Played in the 2003 Florida JC All-Star Game in Winter Haven, Fla.

Benny Nieto LHP L/L 5-11 225 Ontario, Calif. Riverside CC (Calif.)
– 2003 Major League Baseball Draft Pick – 29th round; Toronto Blue Jays
– Finished freshman year at Riverside CC with an 8-3 record, 2.05 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 87 2/3 innings
– Earned All-Conference Orange Empire honors at Riverside CC

Wynn Pelzer RHP/OF R/R 6-0 190 Holly Hill, S.C. Holly Hill Roberts
– As a junior had 71 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched with a 2.56 ERA

Michael Schlact RHP R/R 6-8 225 Marietta, Ga. Wheeler HS
– No. 28 rated prospect in the nation by Team One Baseball
– No. 23 rated prospect in the nation by Baseball America/Prospects Plus
– No. 7 highest rated senior in the state of Georgia by Baseball America/Prospects Plus
– Attended 2003 East Coast Professional Baseball Showcase as representative of the Florida Marlins, ranked the ninth best prospect at the event
– Member of Junior Team Georgia
– Played for East Cobb Braves and helped team win the 2003 WWBA/PG Junior Division World Series

Craig Thomas LHP L/L 6-3 180 Lexington, S.C. Lexington, S.C.
– Named to South Carolina AAAA All-State team as a junior and sophomore by SC Sports Report
– Earned All-Region honors as a sophomore and and junior
– Finished junior season with a 6-1 record, one save and a 1.58 ERA, tallied 64 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings pitched
– Member of 2003 South Carolina AAAA State Runner-Up team
– A Wendy’s Heisman Nominee as a senior
– Member of National Honor Society & National Beta Club, ranks 10th in a class of 512 at Lexington HS and finished with a1300 SAT
– SC Junior Scholor and listed with Who’s Who Among American High School Students

Brandon White LHP L/L 5-10 150 Summerville, S.C. Summerville HS
– SC High School Sports Report 2003 South Carolina AAAA Player of the Year
– Finished 2003 season as a junior with a 11-2 record, 0.90 ERA and 133 strikeouts
– Member of AAAA South Carolina 2003 State Championship team
– Earned All-State and All-Region honors
– Named Team MVP and Outstanding Pitcher for 2003 season at Summerville HS