Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Murray State Sports Information
Baseball Adds Eight During Early Signing Period
11/23/2010 11:20:40 AM | Baseball
Breds add depth for 2011 season
Murray State head coach Rob McDonald has announced the signing of infielders Luke Daugherty and Noah Zipko, along with catcher Rick Linton and pitchers Alex Gordon, Daniel Robinson and Scott Spears. McDonald has also announced the addition of infielder Corey Bays and outfielder Taylor Mathews.
Corey Bays, INF, 5-9, 165, Lexington, Ky. (Henry Clay)
Helped Henry Clay High School to the 2010 District 42 championship and a runner-up finish in the 11th Region...hit .455 with 15 doubles, four triples, 21 RBIs, 37 runs scored and 15 stolen bases...hit .371 with 11 doubles, 10 RBIs and 39 runs scored as a sophomore.
“Corey is one of the best hitters I have ever coached and he will be a great addition to Murray State,” said Henry Clay Head Coach Jordan Terrence. “He has the ability to play multiple positions at the college level, but his bat is what will stand out. He is one of the best hitters in Lexington and I look for him to lead our team in nearly every offensive category this season.”
“Corey is a high academic, high character kid, that in my opinion, is one of the top five hitter's in the state of Kentucky,” said Bluegrass Stars Head Coach Tommy Brooks. “He is an extremely dedicated athlete and hard worker, loves the game, and will make MSU and its basebal program very happy.”
Luke Daugherty, INF, 6-3, 210, Owensboro, Ky. (Apollo)
Plays for former Bred Bob Mantooth at Apollo High School...hit .353 with nine doubles, three home runs and 27 RBIs as a junior...drove in 32 and hit .327 with three triples as a sophomore...struckout 30 times in 306 at-bats in three years.
“Luke has been an outstanding player for us here at Apollo,” said Mantooth. “He was our designated hitter as a freshman and has played third base and hit in the middle of the lineup ever since. His leadership ability has been as important to us as his talent and skill.”
Alex Gordon, RHP, 6-0, 185, Carmel, Ind. (Wabash Valley)
Earned All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference honors after going 8-2 with a 3.41 ERA in 74.1 innings...went 7-0 with a 1.66 ERA in conference action...helped the Warriors capture the GRAC regular season and tournament championship on their way to a 50-12 record and a No. 5 national ranking, the highest in school history.
“Alex is the heart an soul of our pitching staff, said Fournier. “He dominates the strike zone, and will be relied on to lead our staff again. He is a pleasure to coach.”
Rick Linton, C, 5-10, 175, Muncie, Ind. (Muncie Central)
Two-time first-team all-conference performer at Muncie Central High School...hit .415 with nine doubles, two home runs, 17 RBIs and 36 runs scored as a junior...two-time selection to the All-North Central Conference First Team...named team's most valuable hitter and pitcher as a junior.
“I am very happy with Rick's decision to attend Murray State. He is a great kid who has invested a lot of time and hard work to get to this point,” said Muncie Central Head Coach Rob Fisher. “It is not unusual to see hime by himself in the batting tunnel doing tee work on any given evening. I am proud of him and the effort he has made to become a better player, but I am more proud of the fact that he is a very good student and a kid I never had to worry about as far as making wrong choices.”
Taylor Mathews, OF 6-0, 175, Memphis, Tenn. (Christian Brothers)
Played for head coach Buster Kelso at Christian Brothers High School...hit .312 with eight doubles, 36 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in helping the Purple Wave to a 32-9 record as a junior...played last summer for Batters Box Baseball and head coach Tim Sumner.
“Taylor has developed into one of our most dependable players,” said Christian Brothers Head Coach Buster Kelso. He is solid in all areas defensively and, offensively, he is unselfish and hits the ball well to all fields. He is an excellent student, as well as a fine citizen.”
Daniel Robinson, RHP, 6-2, 190, Sterling, Ill. (Sterling)
Three-year letterwinner at Sterling High School...earned first-team all-NCIC-Reagan honors after going 3-4 with a 2.71 ERA and one save in 41.1 innings...also hit .367 with four doubles and 25 RBIs...went 5-3 with a 2.17 ERA as a sophomore.
“I have no doubt Dan's best years on the mound are in front of him,” said Central Illinois Outlaws Head Coach Ben Diggle. “He is just beginning the transition from two-way player at the high school level to a true pitcher. I have no doubt that Dan will continue to work hard and that, combined with the coahing he will receive at MSU, will help him develop into a very good college pitcher.”
Scott Spears, RHP, 6-4, 194, Somerset, Ky. (Cleveland State)
Went 5-0 with a 3.64 ERA in 22 relief appearances for Cleveland State Community College...struck out 31 in 22.1 innings in helping the Cougars to a 33-19 record.
“We are happy that Scott will have the opportunity to pitch at Murray State next season,” said Celeveland State Community College Head Coach Mike Policastro. “He is a very hard worker who is capable of pitching in any role. Scott is an aggressive pitcher who competes every time he takes the mound. He won five games for us out of the bullpen last season and we expect him to anchor our rotation this spring.”
Noah Zipko, INF, 6-1, 190, Oxford, Ohio. (Wabash Valley)
Transferred to Wabash Valley College after playing his freshman season at Campbell University...hit .359 with a pair of doubles and 13 RBIs in 24 games for the Camels...played his prep ball at Talawanda High School...earned honorable mention all-state honors after hitting .420 with 39 RBIs as a senior...rated as the top shortstop in Ohio by The Buckeye Scout...played his summer ball with the prestigous Midland Indians.
“Noah will be counted on as a leader of our team,” said Wabash Valley Head Coach Rob Fournier. “He is a great all-around player and our team feeds off his energy. We are looking for big production from him this season. He is the type of player that a coach wishes he had for the next four years.”
Corey Bays, INF, 5-9, 165, Lexington, Ky. (Henry Clay)
Helped Henry Clay High School to the 2010 District 42 championship and a runner-up finish in the 11th Region...hit .455 with 15 doubles, four triples, 21 RBIs, 37 runs scored and 15 stolen bases...hit .371 with 11 doubles, 10 RBIs and 39 runs scored as a sophomore.
“Corey is one of the best hitters I have ever coached and he will be a great addition to Murray State,” said Henry Clay Head Coach Jordan Terrence. “He has the ability to play multiple positions at the college level, but his bat is what will stand out. He is one of the best hitters in Lexington and I look for him to lead our team in nearly every offensive category this season.”
“Corey is a high academic, high character kid, that in my opinion, is one of the top five hitter's in the state of Kentucky,” said Bluegrass Stars Head Coach Tommy Brooks. “He is an extremely dedicated athlete and hard worker, loves the game, and will make MSU and its basebal program very happy.”
Luke Daugherty, INF, 6-3, 210, Owensboro, Ky. (Apollo)
Plays for former Bred Bob Mantooth at Apollo High School...hit .353 with nine doubles, three home runs and 27 RBIs as a junior...drove in 32 and hit .327 with three triples as a sophomore...struckout 30 times in 306 at-bats in three years.
“Luke has been an outstanding player for us here at Apollo,” said Mantooth. “He was our designated hitter as a freshman and has played third base and hit in the middle of the lineup ever since. His leadership ability has been as important to us as his talent and skill.”
Alex Gordon, RHP, 6-0, 185, Carmel, Ind. (Wabash Valley)
Earned All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference honors after going 8-2 with a 3.41 ERA in 74.1 innings...went 7-0 with a 1.66 ERA in conference action...helped the Warriors capture the GRAC regular season and tournament championship on their way to a 50-12 record and a No. 5 national ranking, the highest in school history.
“Alex is the heart an soul of our pitching staff, said Fournier. “He dominates the strike zone, and will be relied on to lead our staff again. He is a pleasure to coach.”
Rick Linton, C, 5-10, 175, Muncie, Ind. (Muncie Central)
Two-time first-team all-conference performer at Muncie Central High School...hit .415 with nine doubles, two home runs, 17 RBIs and 36 runs scored as a junior...two-time selection to the All-North Central Conference First Team...named team's most valuable hitter and pitcher as a junior.
“I am very happy with Rick's decision to attend Murray State. He is a great kid who has invested a lot of time and hard work to get to this point,” said Muncie Central Head Coach Rob Fisher. “It is not unusual to see hime by himself in the batting tunnel doing tee work on any given evening. I am proud of him and the effort he has made to become a better player, but I am more proud of the fact that he is a very good student and a kid I never had to worry about as far as making wrong choices.”
Taylor Mathews, OF 6-0, 175, Memphis, Tenn. (Christian Brothers)
Played for head coach Buster Kelso at Christian Brothers High School...hit .312 with eight doubles, 36 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in helping the Purple Wave to a 32-9 record as a junior...played last summer for Batters Box Baseball and head coach Tim Sumner.
“Taylor has developed into one of our most dependable players,” said Christian Brothers Head Coach Buster Kelso. He is solid in all areas defensively and, offensively, he is unselfish and hits the ball well to all fields. He is an excellent student, as well as a fine citizen.”
Daniel Robinson, RHP, 6-2, 190, Sterling, Ill. (Sterling)
Three-year letterwinner at Sterling High School...earned first-team all-NCIC-Reagan honors after going 3-4 with a 2.71 ERA and one save in 41.1 innings...also hit .367 with four doubles and 25 RBIs...went 5-3 with a 2.17 ERA as a sophomore.
“I have no doubt Dan's best years on the mound are in front of him,” said Central Illinois Outlaws Head Coach Ben Diggle. “He is just beginning the transition from two-way player at the high school level to a true pitcher. I have no doubt that Dan will continue to work hard and that, combined with the coahing he will receive at MSU, will help him develop into a very good college pitcher.”
Scott Spears, RHP, 6-4, 194, Somerset, Ky. (Cleveland State)
Went 5-0 with a 3.64 ERA in 22 relief appearances for Cleveland State Community College...struck out 31 in 22.1 innings in helping the Cougars to a 33-19 record.
“We are happy that Scott will have the opportunity to pitch at Murray State next season,” said Celeveland State Community College Head Coach Mike Policastro. “He is a very hard worker who is capable of pitching in any role. Scott is an aggressive pitcher who competes every time he takes the mound. He won five games for us out of the bullpen last season and we expect him to anchor our rotation this spring.”
Noah Zipko, INF, 6-1, 190, Oxford, Ohio. (Wabash Valley)
Transferred to Wabash Valley College after playing his freshman season at Campbell University...hit .359 with a pair of doubles and 13 RBIs in 24 games for the Camels...played his prep ball at Talawanda High School...earned honorable mention all-state honors after hitting .420 with 39 RBIs as a senior...rated as the top shortstop in Ohio by The Buckeye Scout...played his summer ball with the prestigous Midland Indians.
“Noah will be counted on as a leader of our team,” said Wabash Valley Head Coach Rob Fournier. “He is a great all-around player and our team feeds off his energy. We are looking for big production from him this season. He is the type of player that a coach wishes he had for the next four years.”
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