Introduction

WIGGS AND THE SAINTS INK EIGHT IN EARLY SIGNING PERIOD

WIGGS AND THE SAINTS INK EIGHT IN EARLY SIGNING PERIOD

February 18, 2010 Contact: Scott Jamison 352.395.5616 scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu

SF BASEBALL

WIGGS AND THE SAINTS INK EIGHT IN EARLY SIGNING PERIOD

Gainesville, FL – Coach Johnny Wiggs and the Santa Fe baseball team have announced eight signees for the 2010-2011 team in the early signing period, headlined by right handed pitcher Colin Richardson out of Winter Haven, FL and right handed pitcher Alec Asher from Lakeland.  Both players were rated as top ten players by Perfect Game (www.pgcrosschecker.com) at the Diamond Club Showcase, an invitation only event that showcases the best talent in the state of Florida.  Perfect game article: http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=1906

Richardson (Winter Haven HS) is a 6′ 185 pound starting pitcher who has started on the mound for Coach David Saliba all four years of his high school career.  In his junior season, Richardson was named All-State after compiling an 8-0 record with a 1.48 ERA, and 74 strikeouts in 47 innings pitched.  He threw two no hitters during the season.

Asher (Lakeland HS), a 6’4 215 pound pitcher, finished his junior season with a 1.94 ERA in 72.1 innings pitched, surrendering only 65 hits.

Six other players signed early with the Saints in what Johnny Wiggs calls his most talented signing class as a head coach, “Our assistants [Bruce Larkins and Brett Merritt] did a great job coordinating the recruiting efforts,” said Wiggs.  “This is the best class of players we have signed since I’ve been a head coach.  We have a lot of talent coming in, especially when it comes to pitching.”

Along with Richardson and Asher, Coach Wiggs and the Saints signed six other highly rated players from around the country.

Tim Remes, a highly sought after catching prospect, comes to the Saints from Nova High School in Davie, FL.  In his junior season, he hit .337 with four homeruns and 28 RBI, helping to lead his team to the 2009 District championship.  He was named all county in 2008 and 2009.

Chris Lee, a 6’3 lefthanded pitcher from Robinson High School in Tampa was the top hurler for his team his junior year.  In 2009, Lee compiled a 2-2 record with 45 strikeouts in 29.1 innings and a 2.86 ERA.

First baseman/pitcher Andrew Grifol, a 6’0, 200 pound senior at Miami Killian High School, brings a big bat to SF.  In his junior year, he hit .367 with four homeruns and 27 RBI.  Grifol also pitched for Killian High, where he put up a 5-2 record last season for Coach Angel Herrera.

Brandon Gilbert, a 5’10, 165 pound outfielder from Georgia, hit .324 his junior year, with four homeruns, 21 RBI and 28 runs scored.  Gilbert has yet to commit an error in his three years as a member of the varsity team and as a sophomore and junior was named to the Georgia Top 100.

Brendan O’Rourke, a 5’11 pitcher from Cushing Academy Prep in Ashburnham, Massachusetts will be traveling the farthest to join the team.  As a senior at Shrewsbury High School in 2009, O’Rourke compiled a 5-2 record with two saves in 63.1 innings pitched.  He struck out 72 while walking only 11 in 11 appearances.  Following his senior season, he was named the MVP of his high school team, a Mid Wach A All-Star, the SHS Pitcher of the Year and the Mid Wach A MVP.

Rounding out the early signees is Ryan Yarborough, a 6’4, 180 pound left handed pitcher from All Saints High School.

“I believe this group of guys can help Santa Fe baseball sustain the success that we achieved in 2009,” said Wiggs.  “There’s a lot of talent from top to bottom and I’m very excited to get these guys on campus next Fall and see what they can do.”

For complete schedules and more information on Saints Baseball, please visit www.sfcollege.edu/athletics.  To see game photos and other updates, follow Santa Fe College Athletics on Facebook.

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