SKYHAWK BASEBALL ANNOUNCES 12 ADDITIONS FOR 2021 SEASON
11/22/2019 1:03:00 PM | Baseball
MARTIN, Tenn. – University of Tennessee at Martin head baseball coach Ryan Jenkins and his staff have added a dozen players who will join the Skyhawk program in time for the 2021 spring campaign.
Amongst the additions are five position players (two shortstops, two catchers and an outfielder) and seven pitchers (five right-handed, two southpaws). Jenkins, associate head coach Matt Heath and assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Hunter Morris added freshmen talent from Tennessee (four players), Alabama (four players), Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Canada.
Alec Beaman, SS, 5-10, 160, R/R, Fr., Franklin, Tenn. (Centennial HS)
Coming off a remarkable junior season where he played shortstop and pitched under head coach Rob Baughman at Centennial High School…Was voted to the All-District 11-AAA second team squad by the district's head coaches…Went 3-for-4 with four RBI's in a district victory over crosstown rival Franklin on April 9…Was named to the Tennessee Baseball Report Super Sophomore Team in 2018 after hitting .320 with 15 RBI's, 12 runs scored and six stolen bases in seven attempts…Helped lead Gametime Elite to the championship round of the Kentucky Limited Series this past July.
Blaze Bell, SS, 6-2, 190, R/R, Fr., Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Blackman HS)
Posted a standout junior campaign at Blackman High School under head coach Barry Vetter, helping the Blaze win the District 7-AAA championship on his way to all-district accolades…Served as the 3-hole hitter for one of the state's most lethal offenses, hitting .371 with 13 doubles, 36 RBI's, 31 runs scored and a perfect 8-for-8 clip in the stolen base department during the 2019 season…Went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs in the District 7-AAA title game victory over LaVergne…Captured all-tournament accolades at both the 2019 WWBA 17U National Championship as well as the 2018 WWBA 16U National Championship, both held in Cartersville, Ga.
Cameron Brady, C, 5-10, 170, R/R, Fr., Paris, Ky. (Bourbon County HS)
Emerged as one of the top pitch callers in the Bluegrass State under head coach Nelson Faris at Bourbon County High School…Was part of a Colonel squad that posted a 20-14 record in 2019…Helped guide the Colonels to an 18-8 record as a sophomore…Was named to the all-tournament team at the 2019 PGBA 17U/18U Battle in the Bluegrass event.
Carson Deer, C, 6-2, 190, L/R, Fr., Loveland, Ohio (Loveland HS)
Joins the Skyhawks out of Loveland High School, where he was a top prospect under head coach Steve Plitt…Nabbed All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference second team honors after excelling on both ends during his junior campaign…Hit .303 with a .478 on-base clip while posting a .994 fielding percentage (158 putouts, 12 assists)…Dialed up 17 RBI's and 17 runs scored in 25 games played in 2019…Captured Preseason Underclassmen All-American honorable mention accolades by Perfect Game in both 2018 and 2019.
Bennett DeTrude, OF, 6-1, 155, L/L, Fr., Brentwood, Tenn. (Father Ryan HS)
Was an integral part of the successful Father Ryan program under head coach Michael Mascari…Helped the Irish to a 19-14 overall record in 2019 – earning a No. 4 ranking in the Division II Class AA state poll…Tallied all-tournament accolades at both the 2019 16U National Championship and the 2018 Perfect Game Super25 15U Georgia Super Qualifier.
Brock Hughes, LHP, 6-2, 195, L/L, Fr., Auburn, Ala. (Auburn HS)
Helped Auburn High School accumulate a 27-10 record during his junior campaign, playing under head coach Matt Cimo…Was part of a 2018 Tiger squad that won the Alabama state championship…Chalked up all-tournament honors at the 2019 17U Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational.
Garrett Lewis, RHP, 6-1, 165, R/R, Fr., Starkville, Miss. (Starkville Academy)
Starred under head coach Thomas Berkery at Starkville Academy, as the Volunteers finished 16-11 and just one game shy of reaching the AAA state championship series in 2019…Also learned under assistant coach Roy Oswalt, who was a three-time All-Star and finished in the top-5 in Cy Young Award voting five times over a 13-year MLB career…Compiled four victories and a 2.15 ERA as a sophomore in 2018, punching out 42 batters with only 17 walks over 39 innings of work…Also excelled at the plate, hitting .341 with a .440 on-base percentage, 29 RBI's and 14 runs scored in 30 games.
Eli Martin, RHP, 5-10, 190, R/R, Fr., Carthage, Tenn. (Smith County HS)
Will finish off an impressive prep career at Smith County High School, where he has played for head coach Lynus Martin…Was named a Tennessee Baseball Report Super Sophomore in 2018 after notching five wins, a save, a 2.42 ERA and 85 strikeouts over 78 innings of work…His 78 innings were the second-most in the TSSAA ranks while he limited opponents to a .244 batting average and sported a 2.2 strikeout-to-walk ratio as a sophomore…Fanned 11 batters in a game against Greeneville on Day 1 of the 2018 Spring Sport Championships in Murfreesboro…Also hit .425 with nine doubles, 37 RBI's, 31 runs scored and eight stolen bases while playing around the infield in 2018...Accounted for a 6-2 record, a 3.25 ERA and 52 punchouts in 51.2 innings of work in 2017, earning All-District 8AA Freshman of the Year honors…Earned all-tournament status at the 13U Super 25 and the Perfect Game 13U Invitational in 2015.
Addison Parker, RHP, 6-2, 180, R/R, Fr., Hartselle, Ala. (Hartselle HS)
Was a dominant arm for head coach William Booth at the prestigious Hartselle High School program…Was named to the 2019 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American team…Garnered a spot on the all-tournament team at the 2019 WWBA 17U National Championship event.
Tucker Reed, RHP, 6-2, 175, R/R, Fr., Athens, Ala. (Athens HS)
Will play for head coach Chuck Smith at Athens High School in 2019…Previously prepped at Ardmore High School under head coach Andrew Smith, where he helped guide the Tigers to a 22-12 record in 2019…Captured All-Tennessee Valley honorable mention accolades as a junior…In addition to his pitching prowess, he was also a reliable hitter for Ardmore – collecting four hits and four RBI's in a win over West Limestone on March 21.
Lawson Russell, LHP, 6-4, 185, R/L, Fr., Decatur, Ala. (Decatur HS)
Displayed electric stuff under head coach John Frost at Decatur High School…Nabbed All-Tennessee Valley honorable mention honors in 2019...Twirled a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts over seven innings against Sparkman on April 12…Also reached double-digit strikeouts against Madison Academy on April 17 (11 punchouts over six frames) and against Lawrence County on Feb. 26 (all 10 outs over 3.1 innings of work were strikeouts)…Was named a Perfect Game Preseason Underclassman All-American in 2019…Secured all-tournament accolades at the 2019 WBWA 17U National Championship and was spotlighted as a "Top Prospect" at the 2018 Southeast Prospect Showcase.
Grayden Stauffer, RHP, 6-6, 185, R/R, Fr., Oshawa, Ontario (Maxwell Heights Secondary School)
Prepped at Maxwell Heights Secondary School…Joined the prestigious Ontario Blue Jays (top amateur program in Canada) in 2018 and helped the team win the Canadian Premier Baseball League championship last season under head coach Joe Ellison…Represented Team Canada in the six-team 2018 Junior Sunbelt Classic held in Oklahoma…Helped the Ontario Yankees 16U squad claim the Premier Baseball League of Ontario championship in 2017, capping off a 31-10 season with games played in Ontario and across the United States…Made the all-tournament team at the 2019 WWBA 17U National Championship event.
These 12 will join a UT Martin program that is on the rise under Jenkins, who enters his third year at the helm in 2020. Last season, the Skyhawks equaled their most Division I victories (25) and won a game in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship tournament for just the second time in school history.
Amongst the additions are five position players (two shortstops, two catchers and an outfielder) and seven pitchers (five right-handed, two southpaws). Jenkins, associate head coach Matt Heath and assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Hunter Morris added freshmen talent from Tennessee (four players), Alabama (four players), Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Canada.
Alec Beaman, SS, 5-10, 160, R/R, Fr., Franklin, Tenn. (Centennial HS)
Coming off a remarkable junior season where he played shortstop and pitched under head coach Rob Baughman at Centennial High School…Was voted to the All-District 11-AAA second team squad by the district's head coaches…Went 3-for-4 with four RBI's in a district victory over crosstown rival Franklin on April 9…Was named to the Tennessee Baseball Report Super Sophomore Team in 2018 after hitting .320 with 15 RBI's, 12 runs scored and six stolen bases in seven attempts…Helped lead Gametime Elite to the championship round of the Kentucky Limited Series this past July.
Blaze Bell, SS, 6-2, 190, R/R, Fr., Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Blackman HS)
Posted a standout junior campaign at Blackman High School under head coach Barry Vetter, helping the Blaze win the District 7-AAA championship on his way to all-district accolades…Served as the 3-hole hitter for one of the state's most lethal offenses, hitting .371 with 13 doubles, 36 RBI's, 31 runs scored and a perfect 8-for-8 clip in the stolen base department during the 2019 season…Went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs in the District 7-AAA title game victory over LaVergne…Captured all-tournament accolades at both the 2019 WWBA 17U National Championship as well as the 2018 WWBA 16U National Championship, both held in Cartersville, Ga.
Cameron Brady, C, 5-10, 170, R/R, Fr., Paris, Ky. (Bourbon County HS)
Emerged as one of the top pitch callers in the Bluegrass State under head coach Nelson Faris at Bourbon County High School…Was part of a Colonel squad that posted a 20-14 record in 2019…Helped guide the Colonels to an 18-8 record as a sophomore…Was named to the all-tournament team at the 2019 PGBA 17U/18U Battle in the Bluegrass event.
Carson Deer, C, 6-2, 190, L/R, Fr., Loveland, Ohio (Loveland HS)
Joins the Skyhawks out of Loveland High School, where he was a top prospect under head coach Steve Plitt…Nabbed All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference second team honors after excelling on both ends during his junior campaign…Hit .303 with a .478 on-base clip while posting a .994 fielding percentage (158 putouts, 12 assists)…Dialed up 17 RBI's and 17 runs scored in 25 games played in 2019…Captured Preseason Underclassmen All-American honorable mention accolades by Perfect Game in both 2018 and 2019.
Bennett DeTrude, OF, 6-1, 155, L/L, Fr., Brentwood, Tenn. (Father Ryan HS)
Was an integral part of the successful Father Ryan program under head coach Michael Mascari…Helped the Irish to a 19-14 overall record in 2019 – earning a No. 4 ranking in the Division II Class AA state poll…Tallied all-tournament accolades at both the 2019 16U National Championship and the 2018 Perfect Game Super25 15U Georgia Super Qualifier.
Brock Hughes, LHP, 6-2, 195, L/L, Fr., Auburn, Ala. (Auburn HS)
Helped Auburn High School accumulate a 27-10 record during his junior campaign, playing under head coach Matt Cimo…Was part of a 2018 Tiger squad that won the Alabama state championship…Chalked up all-tournament honors at the 2019 17U Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational.
Garrett Lewis, RHP, 6-1, 165, R/R, Fr., Starkville, Miss. (Starkville Academy)
Starred under head coach Thomas Berkery at Starkville Academy, as the Volunteers finished 16-11 and just one game shy of reaching the AAA state championship series in 2019…Also learned under assistant coach Roy Oswalt, who was a three-time All-Star and finished in the top-5 in Cy Young Award voting five times over a 13-year MLB career…Compiled four victories and a 2.15 ERA as a sophomore in 2018, punching out 42 batters with only 17 walks over 39 innings of work…Also excelled at the plate, hitting .341 with a .440 on-base percentage, 29 RBI's and 14 runs scored in 30 games.
Eli Martin, RHP, 5-10, 190, R/R, Fr., Carthage, Tenn. (Smith County HS)
Will finish off an impressive prep career at Smith County High School, where he has played for head coach Lynus Martin…Was named a Tennessee Baseball Report Super Sophomore in 2018 after notching five wins, a save, a 2.42 ERA and 85 strikeouts over 78 innings of work…His 78 innings were the second-most in the TSSAA ranks while he limited opponents to a .244 batting average and sported a 2.2 strikeout-to-walk ratio as a sophomore…Fanned 11 batters in a game against Greeneville on Day 1 of the 2018 Spring Sport Championships in Murfreesboro…Also hit .425 with nine doubles, 37 RBI's, 31 runs scored and eight stolen bases while playing around the infield in 2018...Accounted for a 6-2 record, a 3.25 ERA and 52 punchouts in 51.2 innings of work in 2017, earning All-District 8AA Freshman of the Year honors…Earned all-tournament status at the 13U Super 25 and the Perfect Game 13U Invitational in 2015.
Addison Parker, RHP, 6-2, 180, R/R, Fr., Hartselle, Ala. (Hartselle HS)
Was a dominant arm for head coach William Booth at the prestigious Hartselle High School program…Was named to the 2019 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American team…Garnered a spot on the all-tournament team at the 2019 WWBA 17U National Championship event.
Tucker Reed, RHP, 6-2, 175, R/R, Fr., Athens, Ala. (Athens HS)
Will play for head coach Chuck Smith at Athens High School in 2019…Previously prepped at Ardmore High School under head coach Andrew Smith, where he helped guide the Tigers to a 22-12 record in 2019…Captured All-Tennessee Valley honorable mention accolades as a junior…In addition to his pitching prowess, he was also a reliable hitter for Ardmore – collecting four hits and four RBI's in a win over West Limestone on March 21.
Lawson Russell, LHP, 6-4, 185, R/L, Fr., Decatur, Ala. (Decatur HS)
Displayed electric stuff under head coach John Frost at Decatur High School…Nabbed All-Tennessee Valley honorable mention honors in 2019...Twirled a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts over seven innings against Sparkman on April 12…Also reached double-digit strikeouts against Madison Academy on April 17 (11 punchouts over six frames) and against Lawrence County on Feb. 26 (all 10 outs over 3.1 innings of work were strikeouts)…Was named a Perfect Game Preseason Underclassman All-American in 2019…Secured all-tournament accolades at the 2019 WBWA 17U National Championship and was spotlighted as a "Top Prospect" at the 2018 Southeast Prospect Showcase.
Grayden Stauffer, RHP, 6-6, 185, R/R, Fr., Oshawa, Ontario (Maxwell Heights Secondary School)
Prepped at Maxwell Heights Secondary School…Joined the prestigious Ontario Blue Jays (top amateur program in Canada) in 2018 and helped the team win the Canadian Premier Baseball League championship last season under head coach Joe Ellison…Represented Team Canada in the six-team 2018 Junior Sunbelt Classic held in Oklahoma…Helped the Ontario Yankees 16U squad claim the Premier Baseball League of Ontario championship in 2017, capping off a 31-10 season with games played in Ontario and across the United States…Made the all-tournament team at the 2019 WWBA 17U National Championship event.
These 12 will join a UT Martin program that is on the rise under Jenkins, who enters his third year at the helm in 2020. Last season, the Skyhawks equaled their most Division I victories (25) and won a game in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship tournament for just the second time in school history.
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