Murray State University Athletics
McDonald announces signing of three western Kentucky players
11/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Murray State Thoroughbreds baseball head coach Rob McDonald announced the signing of three western Kentucky natives -- two Paducah-area natives who are transfers from the University of Kentucky and one high school senior from Webster County -- to the MSU fold.
West Harris, a Lone Oak High School graduate, and Tyler Pittman, a Ballard Memorial High School grad, will come to Murray State from Kentucky.
The 'Breds also signed Micah Dunn of Webster County High School, who will begin play in the 2005 season.
Harris is a 6-3, 190-pound left-handed pitcher who will be a sophomore this season. The Lone Oak High School graduate and Paducah, Ky., native pitched seven innings in five appearances last season at Kentucky, where he had a 1-1 record and 2.57 earned-run average with one start. Opposing batters hit .207 against him. Harris is a pre-med major.
"Harris has gotten bigger and stronger since high school," McDonald said. "We expect big things from him."
While at Lone Oak, Harris was selected to the East-West All Stars in his junior and senior seasons, and was the Region I Most Valuable Player in his senior year. He helped his Paducah American Legion Post 31 team to a World Series runner-up finish.
Pittman is a 6-1, 180-pound left-handed pitcher and outfielder from Wickliffe, Ky. The Ballard Memorial High School graduate will be a redshirt freshman this season, having redshirted last season at Kentucky. Pittman is a finance major.
While at Ballard Memorial, Pittman hit .521 in his senior season with six home runs and a .930 slugging percentage. He went 12-3 over his last two prep seasons, with 88 strikeouts in 46 innings in his junior year.
"In Pittman, we are not only getting a quality left-handed pitcher, but also a left-handed hitting outfielder who will compete for a spot there immediately," McDonald said.
"We are thrilled to be getting Harris and Pittman back to Murray State. We feel like they are coming home (to western Kentucky), and we want them to feel like they are coming home. They are quality people, outstanding students and good left-handed pitchers who will help our team immediately."
