UNCG Baseball Inks 12 in Early Signing Period, including hometown favorite Ray Crawford from Dudley HS

UNCG baseball inks 12 in early signing period

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro baseball team secured the commitment of 12 student-athletes during the early signing period, coach Mike Gaski announced on Wednesday(today). The group includes seven players from North Carolina, three from Florida, and one from Maryland and South Carolina.

“We are thrilled with our recruiting class,” said Gaski. “Coach (Jamie) Athas and coach (Dustin) Ijames did a great job of bringing in some of the best players in North Carolina along with other excellent out-of-state talent. We believe each of these young men will play a vital role in leading the Spartan program to Southern Conference success over the next four years.”

Adam Boghosian, a pitcher and outfielder from Cary, N.C., comes to the Spartans after a successful career at Green Hope High School. Last season, he helped lead his team to the Tri-9 Conference Championship as a pitcher, outfielder and first baseman. As a junior, he was also named to the all-conference team and is a two-time academic all-conference honoree. Boghosian is the founder and president of the Green Hope Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Support Club as well.

“Adam is a physical kid with a great arm,” said Gaski. “He can start or relieve and is a true workhorse as he is able to throw every day. He should contribute immediately.”

Brandon Browne, a native of Hope Mills, N.C., is a powerful left-handed pitcher from Grays Creek High School. As a junior, he was named to the Cape Fear All-Region team and played in the state games. This past season, he had a miniscule 1.16 ERA and 113 strikeouts, while also hitting .416 at the plate with six homers. Browne was also named team MVP the last two years.

“Brandon is one of the top left-handed pitchers in the state of North Carolina,” said Gaski. “He was ranked in the top-200 nationally early in the summer. He has a live arm from the left side and will play a vital role”

A local product from Greensboro, N.C., Ray Crawford has been a three-time all-conference honoree at nearby Dudley High School. He has been named the MVP of his team all three years and was named to the all-area this team this past season after earning honorable mention all-area honors as a freshman and sophomore. As a junior, he hit .638 at the plate to follow his impressive sophomore year in which he hit .615.

“Ray will be a middle of the order hitter,” said Gaski. “He has plus bat speed and power. Ray is a hometown favorite.”

Brandon Grove, a first baseman from Burtonsville, Md., has lettered in each season at Good Counsel High School. This past season, he was named to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) Second-team. Following his sophomore year, he earned second-team all-WCAC honors.

“Brandon is a strong left-handed hitter out of Maryland,” said Gaski. “He can hit it out of any park.”

Joe Hager, an outfielder from Charlotte, N.C., was the team captain this past season at Myers Park High School. Last season, he helped lead the Mustangs from his leadoff position to the Southwestern 4A Tournament Championship. He was also on the honor roll during his four years at Myers Park.

“Joe has a good left-handed bat,” said Gaski. “He has hit for a high average and shows great plate discipline. He can play all three outfield positions.”

A native of Tampa, Fla., Dylan Hathcock is a left-handed picture from Gaither High School. He has previously been named first-team all-Hillsborough County and was honorable mention all-state. Last season, he recorded 10 saves in 22 appearances, which were both school records at Gaither. He also set a record at the Saladino Tournament with three saves in five appearances.

“Dylan is another left-handed pitcher that will provide much needed innings next year from the left side,” said Gaski. “He is a big, physical kid who can throw any pitch for a strike. He has tremendous upside.”

Jarett Miller, a right-handed pitcher from Easley, S.C., comes to UNCG after spending this season at USC Lancaster. Upon graduating from Easley High School in 2008, he attended Erskine College in Due West, S.C. for one season before transferring to USC Lancaster. In high school, he was named all-region as he helped lead his team to a district championship. He was also a member of the National Honor Society while at Easley.

“Jarett is another big, strong right-handed pitcher who comes to us with collegiate experience,” said Gaski. “He has a plus fastball and a good breaking ball. He will be a good addition to our staff and get thrown into the mix right away.”

Cambric Moye, a catcher from Goldsboro, N.C., has earned three varsity letters so far at Eastern Wayne High School. This past season, Moye was named to the all-area first-team as well as the all-conference first-team. He also helped lead his team to a 3A State Championships runner-up finish.

“Cambric is a strong right-handed hitting catcher with power,” said Gaski. “He is an above average defensive catcher and is a good receiver.”

Dylan Newton, a right-handed pitcher from Oxford, N.C., helped advance Webb High School to its best finish in the state playoffs in school history last year. Last season, he was named to the all-conference team as well as being named all-tournament at the 2009 Hilltop Invitational.

“Dylan is a very competitive kid.” said Gaski. “He will be an impact pitcher for us. He has a very good arm and can throw his breaking ball for strikes.”

A native of Pembroke Pines, Fla., Chris Ross is a four-year letterwinning pitcher from West Broward High School. The right hander earned honorable mention all-county honors after his junior season and was give the Outstanding Pitcher Award for his team as well. As a sophomore, he was named the MVP of the Winter Bash Championship game.

“Chris is a strong right-handed pitcher with tremendous upside and an electric arm,” said Gaski. “He shows great command of three pitches and will be a huge addition to our 2011 pitching staff.”

A teammate of Newton, Trey Talley also comes to the Spartans from Webb High School in Oxford, N.C. Talley is a three-year letterwinner as a catcher and helped lead his team to the fourth round of the 3A state playoffs last year. For his efforts as a junior, he was named to the all-conference team.

“Trey is a physical, left-handed hitting catcher who also has the ability to play first base and the outfield,” said Gaski. “Trey has a nice, smooth swing and has great upside.”

Thomas Troelstrup, a native of Tallahassee, Fla., comes to the Spartans after spending the past two seasons at Tallahassee Community College (TCC). Troelstrup made a short stop at Wallace Community College after graduating from Lincoln High School in 2007. At TCC, Troelstrup earned second-team all-conference honors after hitting .359 with six homers and 39 RBI.

“Thomas is very versatile,” said Gaski. “He has hit for average and power at Tallahassee Community College. He comes to us with collegiate experience and will be looked on to provide leadership.”