Baseball Inks Ten in Early Signing Period

Nov. 20, 2002

WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- The Wake Forest baseball team received ten National Letters of Intent from eight high school students and two junior college transfers. The Deacon recruiting class covers seven states. Two of the signees were All-State selections in North Carolina as juniors. Both of the junior college transfers have previously been drafted by major league teams.

Wake Forest will lose seven seniors to graduation next spring and potentialy several juniors to the major league baseball draft.

"We had ten spots to fill with varying needs and we have completely filled those needs," head coach George Greer said. "These young men help lay the foundation for the next three years. They will give us a chance to maintain a level of excellence and we will continue to be a major player in the Top 25."

"We feel very good about this class," recruiting coordinator Jamie Mabe said. "Each of these ten student-athletes will be major contributors in our efforts to maintain our level of success both nationally, and in the Atlantic Coast Conference."

Fall Signing Period Commitments

Name        Pos.    B/T Ht. Wt. Hometown    Previous School
Matt Antonelli  SS  L/R 6-0     185     Peabody, MA St. John's Prep

Rated as the 63rd-best player nationally by Perfect Game Scouting Report ... a three-sport all-star in hockey, football and baseball ... named All-Scholastic by the Boston Herald ... led St. John's Prep in average, stolen bases, slugging percentage and on-base percentage ... will finish high school as a 12-time letterwinner ... played for the prestigious summer league team, Ohio Warhawks.

Josh Ellis  RHP R/R 6-1 190 Lexington, KY   Dunbar HS

One of the top right-handed pitchers in the state of Kentucky ... a candidate for Mr. Baseball in Kentucky ... a two-time all-City in baseball ... led team in ERA and strikeouts for two years ... participated in Kentucky's East-West Junior All-Star Game ... posted a 1.86 ERA with 108 strikeouts in 90.1 high school career innings ... has a heavy sinking fastball ... understands how to pitch and has great makeup.

Nick Ewen   OF  L/R 6-4 205 Roselle, IL     Triton JC (Ill.)

A corner outfielder with good power ... drafted in the 46th round by the Florida Marlins in the 2002 amateur draft ... named first team All-Region IV ... hit .329 with 14 doubles, four triples, two home runs for Triton Junior College as a freshman.

Justin Keadle   RHP R/R 6-2 200 Huntington Beach, CA    Cypress JC (Calif.)

Drafted in the 38th round by the New York Yankees in the 2002 amateur draft ... 7-4 record with a 4.22 ERA, 62 K, 18 BB ... All-Orange Empire Conference selection as the ace of the Chargers staff ... follows in a long line of Cypress players to join the Deacons including current assistant coach Scott Daeley, former Deacon Cory Sullivan and current Deacons Ryan Hubbard and Jeff Ruziecki ... brings collegiate experience to Wake which will help him make a smooth transition.

Andrew Knox RHP R/R 6-4 200 Fort Myers, FL  Bishop Verot HS

Named to the Perfect Game East Cobb All-Tournament Team ... the Wendy's High School Heisman representative for Bishop Verot ... a two-sport star in basketball and baseball ... invited to play with for the Ohio Warhawks in the summer of 2003 ... posted a 4-3 record with a 2.27 ERA, 59 strikeouts and 16 walks in 49 innings ... throws three pitches for strikes ... very athletic player with good work ethic.

Lee Land    3B/P    R/R 6-3 205 Durham, NC  Riverside HS

Rated as the 82nd-best player nationally by Perfect Game Scouting Report ... an All-State selection in North Carolina ... All-Conference and All-Tournament Pac-6 ... posted a .361 average in Riverside High School in 69 games with 17 doubles, three triples, 15 homers, 60 RBI and a .732 slugging percentage ... played summer ball for the prestigious Midland Redskins ... possesses excellent arm strength ... comes from the same high school as Deacon sophomore Ben Ingold.

Charlie Mellies RHP R/R 6-3 185 Clifton, VA Centreville HS

A two-time First Team All-District selection ... named Most Valuable Player of his high school squad twice ... a two-time first team selection of the Community Times ... named second team All-Region ... a three-year member of the Harris Rangers, the 2001 CABA World Series Champions ... the winning pitcher in that game ... great competitor and is a student of the game ... has untapped potential.

Brian Shust OF  R/R 6-0 185 Long Grove, IL  Stevenson HS

Listed by Baseball America as one of the top outfielder draft prospects in Illinois ... named to this year's Illinois Baseball Coaches Assocation six-member "Class of 2003 Cream of the Crop" ... particpated in the Area Code Games and North Suburban Junior Showcase ... selected to play in the Jack Kaiser Memorial All-Star Game at Comiskey Park ... played on the 2002 North Suburban Conference Championship team ... comes from the same high school program as Deacon sophomore Tim Morley.

Sean Souders    LHP L/L 6-1 175 Berekley, CA    Berekley HS

A two-time First Team All-League selection ... named team MVP as a sophomore ... plays for NorCal summer team, the same that Deacon junior Ben Clayton competed with ... posted a 1.70 ERA with a 7-5 record, 78 strikeouts against just 28 walks in 70.1 innings ... has good arm side run on his fastball ... throws in the mid-80's with a good changeup to compliment his fastball ... can throw any pitch in any count ... great competitor.

Brandon Yarbrough   C   L/R 6-2 175 Ellerbe, NC Richmond Senior HS

Rated as the 70th-best player nationally by Perfect Game ... an All-State selection in North Carolina ... named as a 2002 North Carolina scholar athlete ... the Mid-Southeastern Conference Player of the Year as a junior and an All-Conference selection as a sophomore ... led team with a .431 average, runs, walks, hit seven home with an .806 slugging percentage ... team MVP in 2000 and 2002.

Wake Forest Athletics

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