Baseball Announces 2009 Signing Class
November 16, 2007 | Baseball
Nov. 16, 2007
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Eight high school and four junior college players have committed to play baseball at East Carolina in 2009, head baseball coach Billy Godwin announced today.
Shawn Armstrong, Brett Bowers, Philip Clark, Lance Honeycutt, Patrick Somers, Corey Thompson, Michael Wright and Zach Wright are the eight high school players that have signed to play baseball at ECU in 2009. The junior college transfers include Jared Avchen, Paul Clemens, Chris Heston and Zach Woods.
"We are very excited about this recruiting class," said Godwin. "The key to recruiting is bringing in players that fit the needs of the program and have the ability to help our program play for championships. This class has elite level arms and position players that can come in and make an impact right away. Each of these players will bring attributes to the table that will help East Carolina continue to strive for its ultimate goal of playing for a National Championship in Omaha."
Shawn Armstrong - RHP - 6-2, 190 - West Craven HS (NC)
Electric right-handed pitcher, regarded as one of the top senior pitchers in the country. Pitches effortlessly in the low 90s with his fastball, and also shows solid feel for his curveball and change up. The East Carolina coaching staff feels that Armstrong will provide instant help in the starting rotation. As a junior for Head Coach Ryan Whitney at West Craven, Armstrong posted a 5-3 record, with a 2.36 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 44 innings earning all-conference honors, and being selected as the team's Most Outstanding Pitcher. He also hit three homeruns, drove in 21 runs and was selected to pitch in the State Games of North Carolina and also invited by Major League Baseball to participate in the East Coast Professional Showcase in Lakeland Florida last August. Impact Baseball Ranked Armstrong third in the state in the "Top 50 Seniors in North Carolina". Baseball America ranked Armstrong No. 60 in the country in its Top Prospect Ranking this fall. Armstrong continued to blossom this summer pitching for the Bayside Yankees and Manager Mark Cuseta posting a 3-0 record with a 2.50 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 39 innings allowing only 25 hits.
Coach Godwin's Comments: "Arguably the best right-handed pitcher in the state of North Carolina and one of the top arms in the country. Shawn has great presence on the mound and has the potential to be an impact pitcher right away."
Jared Avchen - C - 6-1, 210 - R/R - Seminole CC (FL), Univ of Alabama, Bayside HS (FL)
Polished defensive catcher who looks to help the Pirates immediately behind the plate in 2009. Possesses very good receiving, blocking and throwing skills and has shown the ability to be a consistent hitter with a good eye. Avchen brings good experience and intelligence to the catching position. He has seen significant playing time at the University of Alabama batting .250 as a freshman before a foot injury, and is regarded as one of the top catchers in Florida junior college baseball at Seminole Community College for Head Coach Mike Nicholson and ECU graduate Ricky Plante (assistant coach). Avchen was Bayside's team MVP and all-state both as a junior and senior for Head Coach Jason Birchfield. He was Brevard County Player-of-the-Year as a senior batting .367 and hit .420 as a junior. Avchen also played with the Florida Bombers winning the WWBC Title and was named team MVP, batting .446 with 31 RBI. Avchen has maintained near a 4.0 GPA in his college work.
Coach Godwin's Comments: "Jared is a solid defensive catcher who is very mature and can handle a pitching staff. Jared will bring a great amount of experience and the ability to play at a high level."
Brett Bowers - INF - 6-2, 175 - R/R - Paul VI Catholic HS (VA)
Athletic and fluid infielder who has the ability to play any infield position. Soft hands, good arm strength, and quick feet have made Bowers a very exciting prospect for the Pirate infield. Bowers has shown the ability to hit to all fields, and will hit for power. Playing for Head Coach Billy Emerson as a junior, Bowers batted .370 with three doubles, four triples and three homeruns, including a grand slam while driving in 29 runs. His slugging percentage was an impressive .607. Paul VI won both the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Tournament, and Division Titles last season, as well as reaching the State Semifinals. Bowers has been a member of the Varsity team for four years helping achieve a 77-17 record. He has also played extensively with the Virginia Cardinals and Head Coach Ron Tugwell, as well The Maryland Orioleanders and Coach Dean Albany.
Coach Godwin's Comments:"Brett is a very athletic versatile infielder that can play any position in the infield. Brett has the potential to be a very special offensive player for the Pirates."
Philip Clark - OF - 6-1, 170 - R/L - Norfolk Collegiate HS (VA)
Rangy and fast, Clark brings a solid offensive package to East Carolina, and covers plenty of ground in the outfield with enough arm strength to play any outfield spot. As a left-handed hitter with great speed down the line, the Pirates hope to see Clark develop into a top of the order bat and base stealing threat. The Pirate staff has also seen Clark show the ability to hit homeruns. Playing for Head Coach Chris Parsons, Clark batted a stellar .569 with four homeruns, 20 stolen bases, and scored 30 runs as a junior. He was selected as the "Oaks" Offensive MVP and was twice named Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools first-team. As a sophomore, Clark batted .533 with four homers and scored 28 runs. Playing American Legion for Post 60 and Coach Jim Erbe, Clark batted .510 with eight homeruns, 30 steals, and 40 runs scored in 27 games. In fall baseball, Clark plays for coach Bugs Moran where he batted .475 with 25 steals.
Coach Godwin's Comments: "Philip is a very athletic speedy outfielder that has a ton of potential to hit for a high average. Philip can be a top of the order table-setter in years to come for the Pirates."
Paul Clemens - RHP - 6-3, 170 - Louisburg College (NC), Robinson HS (VA)
Overpowering right-handed pitcher who consistently pitches in the low to mid 90s with his fastball. Very aggressive make-up and mound presence have impressed the East Carolina Staff over the past year and a half. As a Freshman at Louisburg College for Head Coach Tommy Atkinson and pitching coach Jerry Edwards, Clemens posted a 7-2 record with 61 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched allowing only 57 hits and 21 earned runs. Edwards and Clemens have worked together to develop solid secondary pitches in both his curveball and changeup giving him good complements to his tremendous velocity. Clemens helped pitch Louisburg to the Region X Championship in 2007. At Robinson High School for Head Coach Bill Evers, Clemens posted a 12-4 record with a 2.05 ERA and 120 strikeouts. In his senior season, his team won the Patriot District Championship. Clemens struck out 16 batters to break Javier Lopez (Rockies and Red Sox) previous single game strikeout total versus Socastee HS in 2006. He was also a draft selection of the San Francisco Giants in the 2007 Major League Draft.
Coach Godwin's Comments:
"Paul is a wiry tall right-handed pitcher that has an electric arm. Paul will bring a great amount of experience and is versatile enough to be a very good starter or elite closer."
Chris Heston - RHP - 6-4, 190 - Seminole CC (FL), Bayside HS (FL)
Athletic with a great pitcher's frame, the Pirates expect Heston to fill a starting role on the pitching staff in 2009. Heston pitches with his sinking fastball in the upper 80s and low 90's. He also has good command of both his curveball and changeup, throwing three pitches for strikes. Playing his junior college baseball at Seminole Community College for Head Coach Mike Nicholson and ECU Graduate Ricky Plante, Heston has been an effective and reliable starting pitcher who throws strikes. Posting a 6-4 record with one save, Heston struck out 41 batters in 51 innings with an ERA of 4.41. Heston played summer baseball for Altamonte Springs in the Florida Collegiate League where he pitched 33 innings striking out 40 and walking only nine. He posted a 3.51 ERA and a 2-2 record. Entering his sophomore season, Heston was selected to pitch in the Florida Junior College All-Star Game in Lakeland, FL. As a senior at Bayside for Head Coach Jason Birchfield, Heston posted a 6-3 record with a 1.15 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 55 innings. He was also a draft selection of the Minnesota Twins in the 2007 Major League Draft.
Coach Godwin's Comments: "Chris is a proven right-handed starting pitcher at Seminole Community College. Chris demonstrates a tremendous feel for three pitches and has the ability to come in and battle for a weekend starting role right away."
Lance Honeycutt - RHP - 6-3, 175 - Triton HS (NC)
Strong durable right-handed pitcher with a very sharp, hard 12 to 6 curveball. With his outstanding curveball and strength, Honeycutt excited the East Carolina staff with a riding fastball in the upper 80s to 90 and a hard curveball that is a strikeout pitch. Entering his senior year at Triton for Head Coach Chip Mangum, Honeycutt has earned all-conference honors all three seasons. He posted a 6-4 record as a junior with 112 strikeouts in 47 innings, allowing only 10 earned runs for a 1.49 ERA. In his sophomore campaign Honeycutt tabbed a 0.77 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 55 innings of work. Impact Baseball ranked Honeycutt 19th in the state in the "Top 50 Seniors in North Carolina". He was voted team MVP as a junior and was selected to pitch in the State Games of North Carolina and Impact Baseball's "Futures" Game this fall. Honeycutt has also played summer and fall baseball for the Carolina Cubs, and Head Coach Ricky Keith.
Coach Godwin's Comments: "Lance is a right-handed pitcher that has a good fastball and a plus curve. Lance has a tremendous amount of upside physically and mentally. This will allow him to continue to make great strides throughout his career at East Carolina."
Patrick Somers - LHP - 6-2, 200 - Chantilly HS (VA)
Intelligent left-handed pitcher with great mound demeanor and outstanding feel for his fastball, curveball and change-up. Pitches comfortably in the mid 80s moving his fastball in and out, uses his off-speed pitches very well and has an outstanding pickoff move to first base. The Pirate staff expects Somers to compete for a starting role in the rotation. Pitching for Head Coach Kevin Ford at Chantilly, Somers recorded a 5-3 record with 54 strikeouts in 54 innings, walking only 16 batters and logging five complete games in nine starts. Somers was selected to pitch in the Commonwealth Games of Virginia and also earned all-district and all-northern region honors. He pitched this summer and fall for the Virginia Cardinals and Head Coach Ron Tugwell. He posted a perfect 6-0 record with a 1.59 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 44 innings. Somers was recognized for his performance in the Team One South Showcase in Atlanta and has been selected as a 2008 Under Armour Pre-Season All-American.
Coach Godwin's Comments: "Patrick is a crafty three pitch lefthander that can really pitch. He possesses great mound presence and is a tremendous student of the game."
Corey Thompson - INF - 6-2, 205 - Apex HS (NC)
Energetic corner infielder with soft hands good feet, and an accurate throwing arm, Thompson projects to be a middle-of-the lineup hitter with the ability to hit for power to all fields. Playing as a junior for Head Coach Mike Valder at Apex, Thompson batted a team leading .471 with six homeruns, six doubles and 30 RBI's. He also walked 12 times while striking out only twice. Thompson was selected Outstanding Player in 2007 and the team's Offensive MVP in both 2006 and 2007. In his sophomore season, he batted .404 with four homeruns and nine doubles and 20 RBI. Thompson also earned an invitation to the 2007 State Games of North Carolina and was chosen by USA Baseball to play in USA Baseball's Tournament of Stars in Cary NC. He was a Tri-8 all-conference selection in both 2006 and 2007 and received an invitation to the USA Youth National Baseball Trials. He was selected in the Impact Baseball "Top 50 North Carolina Seniors", ranking at No. 14. Thompson has also been a member of Ricky Keith's Carolina Cubs baseball team where he batted .425 with three homeruns.
Coach Godwin's Comments: "Corey is a versatile corner infielder that can contribute immediately at first or third base. We project Corey to be a middle of the lineup hitter during his tenure with the Pirates."
Zach Woods - RHP - 6-0, 180 - Louisburg College (NC), Princess Anne HS (VA)
Athletic right-handed pitcher who fills the zone with a high 80s sinking fastball, an outstanding change-up, and a good slurve. Woods development on the mound has been impressive at Louisburg College for Head Coach Tommy Atkinson and pitching coach Jerry Edwards. He is expected to compete for a spot in the rotation immediately for the Pirates. Woods posted an 8-2 record with one save as a freshman pitching 79 innings, striking out 74 and walking 23. He allowed 67 hits and posted a 3.05 ERA. He allowed only one homerun in his 79 innings of work. Woods also pitched an impressive eight complete games and four shutouts in his 12 starts. Woods helped pitch Louisburg to the Region X Championship in 2007. As a senior at Princess Anne, Woods was selected by Baseball America as one of the top 400 players in the country, selected as first-team All-Beach District, first-team All-Tidewater, and first-team HS Collegiate All-American. He posted an ERA of 1.30 and a 9-2 record. He also recorded the wins in the State Semifinal and State Championship Games.
Coach Godwin's Comments: "Zach is a proven right-handed starting pitcher at Louisburg College. His numbers at Louisburg don't lie. Zach will be another junior college pitcher that has weekend stuff."
Michael Wright - RHP - 6-5, 175, Whiteville HS (NC)
Aggressive right-handed pitcher with great size. Loves to pitch and has impressed the Pirate staff with his ability to throw an upper 80s to 90 mph fastball, hard slider, curveball and change. Pitching for Whiteville and Head Coach Brett Harwood, Wright has posted very impressive pitching numbers. As a junior in 2007 he pitched 52 innings striking out 68 and walking only 11. He posted a 7-1 record and a 1.61 ERA and opponents hit a meager .145 against him. He also batted .340 with two homeruns. In his sophomore campaign at Scotland HS, Wright again was 7-1 with 48 innings and an ERA of 0.63. He struck out 48 and walked only 14 and in the box batted .361 with a homerun. Wright helped Whiteville HS win the conference title, and was the Eastern State Runner-up. Impact Baseball ranked Wright ninth in the state in the "Top 50 Seniors in North Carolina". He has played American Legion Baseball for Post 137 and Coach Brett Harwood, and has competed with the Carolina Copperheads and Coach Freddy Suggs, the Carolina Cubs and Coach Ricky Keith, and the Dirtbags and Coach Andy Partin.
Coach Godwin's Comments: "Michael was one of our last commitments and maybe the guy that has the most potential." Michael comes from a rich baseball area (Whiteville, NC) and he knows how to win."
Zach Wright - C - 6-1, 210 - Charles B. Aycock HS, (NC)
Strong, physical catcher with good offensive and defensive skills and his strong physical build and frame are ideal for the catching position. Wright has impressed East Carolina coaches with his arm strength, soft hands and ability to block. He is also very strong and looks to provide power to the Pirate lineup. Wright batted a strong .379 with nine homers and an on-base percentage of .630. Wright garnered Eastern Carolina Conference All-Conference honors in 2007. He led the Falcons and Head Coach Charles Davis to a 53-11 record in his two years behind the plate. Wright also helped C.B. Aycock win the Eastern Carolina Conference Title, the Eastern Carolina Conference Tournament Championship in 2006 and 2007, as well as the State Championship in 2007. Impact Baseball ranked Wright 30th in the state in the "Top 50 Seniors in North Carolina". He has been a member of Wayne County Post 11 and Head Coach Brad Reeves, as well as competing with the Carolina Cubs and Head Coach Ricky Keith.
Coach Godwin's Comments:"Zach will be a solid defensive catcher that put up good power numbers in high school. He is a proven winner from Wayne County and plays for an outstanding program at CB Aycock (state champion)."
