Nov. 19, 2009

Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina baseball program has announced the signing of 13 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the November early signing period. The class consists of eight high school players along with five junior college transfers.

“It was imperative that we signed a class that can make an immediate impact,” said head coach Ray Tanner. “We have eight seniors on our 2010 team and expect a number of our players to be drafted. Coach Holbrook and Coach Calvi have worked tirelessly to assemble a talented group.”

The Gamecocks added prospects from eight different states including two players from the state of South Carolina, right-handed pitchers Forrest Koumas (Elgin, S.C./Lugoff-Elgin HS) and Drake Thomason (Taylors, S.C./Eastside HS).

“We were searching for athleticism and experienced pitchers,” said associate head coach Chad Holbrook. “We felt we were able to add some power arms and we are excited about the speed and power of the position players. We think it is a versatile group and they are all passionate about being part of the Gamecock baseball program.”

Signing Class Breakdown
8 High School Prospects
5 Junior College Transfers

By Position
Pitchers (6): Wes Cook, Cameron Greathouse, Bryan Harper, Forrest Koumas, Donn Roach, Drake Thomason
Infielders (3): Peter Mooney, Erik Payne, Jake Watson
Outfielders (2): DeSean Anderson, Mason Williams
Catchers (2): Greg Brodzinski, Patrick Harrington

By State
South Carolina (2): Forrest Koumas, Drake Thomason
Florida (2): Peter Mooney, Mason Williams
Nevada (2): Bryan Harper, Donn Roach
North Carolina (2): DeSean Anderson, Jake Watson
Virginia (2): Patrick Harrington, Erik Payne
Alabama (1): Wes Cook
Georgia (1): Cameron Greathouse
New Jersey (1): Greg Brodzinski

DeSean Anderson – OF – High Point, N.C. (Ragsdale HS)
– Rated No. 3 best high school prospect in the state of North Carolina by Impact Baseball
– Rated No. 390 high school prospect in the nation by PG Crosschecker

Greg Brodzinski – C/3B – Turnersville, N.J. (Bishop Eustace Prep)
– Named 2010 Louisville Slugger Preseason HS All-American by Collegiate Baseball
– Rated No. 5 best high school catching prospect at 2009 East Coast Professional Showcase by PG Crosschecker
– Rated No. 181 best prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker
– Rated No. 1 high school prospect in the state of New Jersey by PG Crosschecker
– As a junior in 2009, batted .411 with six HR and 38 RBI
– As a sophomore in 2008, batted .418 with nine HR and 42 RBI

Wes Cook – LHP – Montgomery, Ala. (Central Alabama JC)
– Rated No. 179 best junior college prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker
– 2009 NJCAA All-American, named to third-team
– Compiled a 10-0 record with a 2.30 ERA in 2009, hurled 94 innings
– Averaged 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings

Cameron Greathouse – LHP – Columbus, Ga. (Gulf Coast JC (Fla.))
– Rated No. 31 best junior college prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker
– Compiled a 5-4 record with a 3.21 ERA in 2009, hurled 84 innings and struck out 81 batters, allowed just 76 hits
– Hurled three complete games in 2009 including a 11-strikeout performance in a victory over Pensacola JC on Mar. 30

Bryan Harper – LHP – Las Vegas, Nev. (College of Southern Nevada)
– Rated No. 98 best junior college prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker
– Played one season at Cal State Northridge (2009) before transferring to College of Southern Nevada
– 2008 MLB Draft Selection (31st round/Washington Nationals)
– Two-time all-state selection in Nevada (2007, 2008)
– Currently on same junior college team with younger brother Bryce

Patrick Harrington – C – Virginia Beach, Va. (Kellam HS)
– Rated No. 139 best high school prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker
– Rated No. 3 best high school prospect in Virginia by PG Crosschecker
– Rated by most publications as one of the top 10 catchers/athletes in the country

Forrest Koumas – RHP – Elgin, S.C. (Lugoff-Elgin HS)
– Rated No. 168 best high school prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker
– Rated No. 3 best high school right-handed pitching prospect and No. 4 best high school prospect in South Carolina by Diamond Prospects
– Rated No. 3 best high school prospect in South Carolina by PG Crosschecker
– 2009 South Carolina AAA All-State

Peter Mooney – SS – Loxahatchee, Fla. (Palm Beach CC)
– Rated No. 93 best junior college prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker
– 2009 Rawlings NJCAA National Gold Glove recipient for top defensive player of the year at his position
– 2009 FCCAA All-Southern Conference first-team honors
– Hit. .383 as a freshman in 2009 with nine doubles and 22 RBI
– His brother Mike lettered in baseball at Florida

Erik Payne – 3B/OF – Richmond, Va. (Mills Godwin HS)
– Hit .333 as a junior with 20 runs scored, six stolen bases and a .444 slugging percentage
– Rated No. 412 best high school prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker
– Rated No. 5 best high school position player in the state of Virginia by PG Crosschecker

Donn Roach – RHP – Las Vegas, Nev. (College of Southern Nevada)
– Rated No. 22 best junior college prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker
– Played one season at Arizona (2009) before transferring to College of Southern Nevada
– Was rated in preseason of 2009 as No. 27 best freshman in the nation by Baseball America
– 2008 MLB Draft Selection (40th round/Anaheim Angels)
– Graduated from Bishop Gorman High School in 2008, earned all-state honors his senior season of high school posting a 9-1 record with a 1.73 ERA and was named one of the top 50 seniors in the nation by Baseball America

Drake Thomason – RHP – Taylors, S.C. (Eastside HS)
– Rated No. 260 best high school prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker
– Rated No. 2 best high school right-handed pitching prospect and No. 3 best high school prospect in South Carolina by Diamond Prospects
– Rated No. 6 best high school prospect in South Carolina by PG Crosschecker
– As a junior in 2009, compiled a 3-3 record with one save, a 0.99 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 42.1 innings pitched
– Also a quarterback on high school football team, invited to play in 2009 North-South All-Star game

Jake Watson – SS/3B – Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Christian)
– Rated No. 7 best high school prospect in state of North Carolina by Impact Baseball
– Rated No. 457 best high school prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker

Mason Williams – OF/RHP – Winter Garden, Fla. (West Orange)
– Rated No. 87 best high school prospect in nation by Baseball America
– Rated No. 129 best high school prospect in nation by PG Crosschecker
– One of 17 players to be highlighted by Baseball America from 2009 World Wood Bat Association World Championships
– As a junior in 2009 had a .438 on-base percentage, stole 13 bases and also compiled a 7-0 record with a 1.13 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 49.2 innings pitched
– Son of former New England Patriots receiver Derwin Williams

South Carolina owns the longest current streak of NCAA Regional appearances among the 12 SEC schools with 10 straight trips to the tournament dating back to the 2000 season. In that span, Carolina has seven NCAA Super Regional appearances (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007) and three trips to the College World Series (2002, 2003, 2004). South Carolina is one of only seven schools in the nation to make at least seven NCAA Super Regionals in the last 10 years and one of only eight schools in the country to have reached the NCAA Regionals every season in this decade. The program’s 10-year total record of 468-201 is the fourth highest win total among NCAA Division I schools.

South Carolina head coach Ray Tanner is entering his 14th season at the helm with the Gamecocks and his 23rd year as a collegiate head coach. Tanner’s career record is 975-439-3 (.689) with a 580-266 (.686) mark at South Carolina. The .686 winning percentage is third highest in SEC history.