Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Murray State Sports Information
Baseball Continues to Add Signees
7/16/2013 8:53:00 AM | Baseball
Murray State head coach Rob McDonald has announced the additions of outfielder Kollin Dowdy, infielder/outfielder Anthony Bayus and right-handed pitcher Brandon Hicks to the Breds recruiting class. All three players will begin playing in the Fall.
Dowdy comes to MSU after spending two seasons at Olney Central Community College. As a sophomore, Dowdy earned all-conference and all-region honors after hitting .339 with 14 doubles, school-record 10 triples, 12 home runs and 50 RBIs in 53 games. He also led the team with 57 runs scored, and tied for the team lead with 14 stolen bases. He ranked third nationally in home runs, while ranking sixth in triples and total bases (132). Dowdy red-shirted his first season with the Blue Knights.
"Kollin will add experience, leadership and a physical presence to our lineup," said McDonald. "He has great athletic ability and we hope he can continue the success he enjoyed last season for Coach Conley."
Dowdy played his prep ball at Harrisburg High School where he was a two-time all-conference outfielder. As a senior, he belted 10 home runs and drove in 50 runs in leading the Bulldogs to a 40-1 record and a runner-up finish at the Class 2A state tournament. He hit .453 with three home runs and 28 stolen bases as a junior, after .393 with 17 doubles and 15 stolen bases his sophomore campaign. Dowdy was tabbed the fourth-best outfielder in the state by Illinois Prep Baseball Report, and the 42nd best prospect overall. In addition to baseball, Dowdy was a two-time all-conference linebacker.
Dowdy was selected in the 37th round by the Atlanta Braves in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.
Bayus becomes a Bred after playing two seasons for head coach Jerry Halstead at John A Logan College. He earned all-conference honors after hitting .380 with 70 hits, 13 doubles, 30 RBIs and 37 runs scored in 2013. He also led the team with 16 stolen bases. As a freshman, he hit .261 with nine doubles, 15 RBIs and 38 runs scored.
"Anthony will add great versatility to our defense, as he is a good athlete who can play multiple positions at a high level," said McDonald. "He will also bring balance to our lineup as he is a very gifted left-handed hitter."
Bayus played his prep ball for head coach David Trager at Ballard High School. Bayus was a three-year letterwinner for the Bruins, earning all-state honors.
Hicks joins the Breds after going 10-1 with a 1.75 ERA in leading head coach Jeff Hopkins and Collierville High School to a 34-12 record and their first ever state championship in 2013. He became just the second 10-game winner in school history when he went 10-1 with a 1.75 ERA. He struck out 68 and walked only 18 over 64 innings. He was also selected as a finalist for the Charlie Lea Award, honoring the top pitcher in the Memphis area. Hicks spent his junior year in the bullpen where he went 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA in 25.2 innings.
"Brandon is a winner who just finished up a spectacular senior season, culminating in a state championship," said McDonald. "He is a very competitive young man who has developed into a dominant high school pitcher. We feel like Brandon's best baseball is still ahead of him."
Dowdy comes to MSU after spending two seasons at Olney Central Community College. As a sophomore, Dowdy earned all-conference and all-region honors after hitting .339 with 14 doubles, school-record 10 triples, 12 home runs and 50 RBIs in 53 games. He also led the team with 57 runs scored, and tied for the team lead with 14 stolen bases. He ranked third nationally in home runs, while ranking sixth in triples and total bases (132). Dowdy red-shirted his first season with the Blue Knights.
"Kollin will add experience, leadership and a physical presence to our lineup," said McDonald. "He has great athletic ability and we hope he can continue the success he enjoyed last season for Coach Conley."
Dowdy played his prep ball at Harrisburg High School where he was a two-time all-conference outfielder. As a senior, he belted 10 home runs and drove in 50 runs in leading the Bulldogs to a 40-1 record and a runner-up finish at the Class 2A state tournament. He hit .453 with three home runs and 28 stolen bases as a junior, after .393 with 17 doubles and 15 stolen bases his sophomore campaign. Dowdy was tabbed the fourth-best outfielder in the state by Illinois Prep Baseball Report, and the 42nd best prospect overall. In addition to baseball, Dowdy was a two-time all-conference linebacker.
Dowdy was selected in the 37th round by the Atlanta Braves in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.
Bayus becomes a Bred after playing two seasons for head coach Jerry Halstead at John A Logan College. He earned all-conference honors after hitting .380 with 70 hits, 13 doubles, 30 RBIs and 37 runs scored in 2013. He also led the team with 16 stolen bases. As a freshman, he hit .261 with nine doubles, 15 RBIs and 38 runs scored.
"Anthony will add great versatility to our defense, as he is a good athlete who can play multiple positions at a high level," said McDonald. "He will also bring balance to our lineup as he is a very gifted left-handed hitter."
Bayus played his prep ball for head coach David Trager at Ballard High School. Bayus was a three-year letterwinner for the Bruins, earning all-state honors.
Hicks joins the Breds after going 10-1 with a 1.75 ERA in leading head coach Jeff Hopkins and Collierville High School to a 34-12 record and their first ever state championship in 2013. He became just the second 10-game winner in school history when he went 10-1 with a 1.75 ERA. He struck out 68 and walked only 18 over 64 innings. He was also selected as a finalist for the Charlie Lea Award, honoring the top pitcher in the Memphis area. Hicks spent his junior year in the bullpen where he went 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA in 25.2 innings.
"Brandon is a winner who just finished up a spectacular senior season, culminating in a state championship," said McDonald. "He is a very competitive young man who has developed into a dominant high school pitcher. We feel like Brandon's best baseball is still ahead of him."
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