Recruiting class for 2017-18 announced:
http://uncwsports.com/news/2016/11/18/ba...17-18.aspx
Diamond Hawks Announce Signing Class for 2017-18
WILMINGTON, North Carolina – UNCW Head Coach Mark Scalf announced the signing of 11 student-athletes who will play for the Seahawks beginning in 2017-18. Joining the Seahawks are Douglas Angeli, Brycen Braswell, Noah Bridges, Kep Brown, Gage Herring, Nick Jodway, Greg Jones, Brody Lawson, Noah Liles, Lucas Oxendine and Landon Roupp.
"We feel like we added some really high quality student-athletes in all areas of the diamond with this early signing class," said Scalf, who enters his 26th season at the lead. "Speed and athleticism are covered with all of our position-player signees and the pitchers feature projectable, power arms with plus off-speed stuff. We're extremely excited about this group of quality young men. We'll continue to search and add a few more pieces to the puzzle as the year progresses and we get into the spring."
Douglas Angeli comes from baseball bloodlines as his father, Doug, Sr., played at New Orleans and reached Triple A in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. His brother, Steven Duggar, is in the San Francisco Giants organization after playing collegiately at Clemson. Angeli was an All-Region infielder for Dorman High School, which plays at the 5A level, and coach Jack Jolly. Angeli played for the Upstate Mavericks and competed in the 17u World Wood Batt Association Championship in LakePoint, Ga.
"Douglas brings a high baseball IQ. He has a strong, physical body that will provide some extra base power. Douglas plays with a lot of energy and should be a great leader in the program. He has the ability to play several infield positions."
Brycen Braswell, an outfielder, plays for Fuquay-Varina High School and coach Milton Senter. Braswell played for the Evocanes 17u program.
"Brycen is very athletic and is a high-energy guy. His makeup will allow him to be another leader on the team. Brycen has plus speed which will lend itself to him being a gap-power guy. We love his toughness and energy; he's been a strong leader for his high school football team, where he plays quarterback."
Noah Bridges also is an outfielder who earned All-State and All-Conference honors in 2016 for South Johnston after hitting .415 with a home run, 27 runs batted in and 23 runs scored. He played for Purpose Driven Baseball during the summer and competed in the Powerade State Games last summer.
"Noah brings a solid bat from the left side along with good speed. We feel he'll be a very athletic and physical player when he gets into our program. Noah is a very high character kid with plus makeup."
Kep Brown is another Seahawk to come from Spartanburg Methodist, where current Seahawks Kennard McDowell and Mason Berne began their collegiate careers. Brown hit .279 with 11 home runs and 40 runs batted in for the Pioneers. The Mt. Pleasant, S.C., product was ranked the fifth best junior college prospect by Perfect Game in January. Brown was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft after finishing his prep career at Wando High School, where he was picked by Perfect Game as the top professional prospect in the state.
"Kep is one of top junior college players in the country. He's a five-tool player with great potential. He's had a few setbacks because of injuries, but we feel he can come in here, work, get better, flourish, and accomplish all of his future goals."
Gage Herring is a righthanded pitcher who was a first-team All-Conference selection. Herring posted a 5-1 record with a 0.51 earned run average over 68 innings. He struck out 116 and walked just 15 for the Hobbton Wildcats and coach Chris Carroll. During the summer, Herring pitched for the East Coast Clippers and competed in the Perfect Game tournament in LakePoint, Ga.
"Gage possesses the make-up and ability to be a big-time arm. He's been up to 90 miles per hour with his fastball and he has a strong slider to complement it. We believe Gage has a high ceiling and we're looking forward to seeing him in a Seahawk uniform."
Nick Jodway is a hard-throwing righthander who pitched for Draughn High School. As a junior, Jodway struck out 46 batters over 25 innings. At the plate, he hit .406 with four home runs. Jodway tossed a no-hitter against Burns High School, striking out 19. He pitched for the DeMarini Dirtbags.
"One of the hardest throwers on the East Coast, Nick's fastball has been clocked at 95 at several Perfect Game events. He's been able to develop a breaking ball that pairs well with his fastball. Nick is a pitcher that likes to attack the zone and comes after hitters. We're excited to see how he continues to develop."
Greg Jones is a switch-hitting infielder, who batted .459 and stole 14 bases in his junior season for Cary High School. Jones was a first-team All-Conference selection and played for the EvoShield Canes Central 18u program over the summer.
"Greg is able to make this look easy. He's an extremely athletic and gifted player. Defensively, he's strong in the infield and his athleticism lends itself to maybe see time in the outfield. Greg brings plus-plus speed along with his athleticism. We think he's poised to have a great career in the Seahawk uniform!"
Brody Lawson hails from High Point Christian, the same program that produced former Seahawk standout Jared Gesell and his brothers, Luke and Levi, both of whom are in their first seasons at UNCW. Lawson was the conference player of the year and All-State honoree for the Cougars his junior season. Lawson hit .350 with a 1.20 ERA over 52 innings on the mound. During the summer, he played for the Carolina Rockies and played in the Perfect Game Championships in LakePoint, Ga.
"Brody is pretty advanced at this point with a projectable arm and a great feel for three pitches. He has an upper 80's fastball and is a strong competitor. We feel his best baseball is ahead of him."
Noah Liles is another switch hitter in the class and plays in the outfield. Liles hit .347 with 13 runs batted in and 22 runs scored for the Wildcats of West Johnston and coach Joshua Plisko. He was an All-Greater Neuse River Conference selection and played for the Evoshield Canes 17u program over the summer. Liles competed in the Perfect Game WWBA Championships from 2014-16 as well as the Perfect Game Underclass World Championship in Ft. Myers, Fla. In 2015, he helped Region III to a silver medal showing at the Powerade State Games in Raleigh.
"Noah is a great fit for our program with his speed and athleticism. He's another high school football player that brings that leadership and toughness to the baseball field. He is a high-ceiling athlete and we're really excited to see him in the Blue and Teal."
Lucas Oxendine hit .321 as a junior at Purnell Swett High School, while also posting a 7-1 record with a 1.23 ERA. In 68.1 innings, the All-Conference selection struck out 81 hitters. Oxendine was also selected All-County and was his team's most valuable player. Last summer he played with the DeMarini Dirtbags travel baseball program.
"Lucas has a strong and athletic build. Behind the plate, he's solid with good catch and throw tools and has some pop in his bat. Lucas can contribute both as a position player and on the mound, so we'll see where he fits in best."
Landen Roupp is another righthander and All-State selection in the signing class. He posted a 7-3 mark with three saves for Faith Christian High School in 2016. Roupp struck out 86 in 63 innings while fashioning a 0.85 WHIP (Walks + Hits/Innings Pitched) and 1.06 ERA. He played with the DeMarini Dirtbags summer program and competed in two Perfect Game championships in LakePoint, Ga. He also played in the South Atlantic Border War in Holly Springs, N.C., and the Perfect Game WWBA Championships in Jupiter, Fla.
"Landon comes from a small high school, but he has big-time potential. He has a plus breaking ball to go with his upper 80's fastball. Once he gets in our program, we feel he'll make quick improvements. He is another really strong competitor."
2017-18 UNCW SEAHAWK BASEBALL SIGNEES
NAME POS. B/T HT./WT. HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL (PREVIOUS SCHOOL)
Doug Angeli IF R/R 5-10/180 Spartanburg, S.C./Dorman
Brycen Braswell OF R/R 6-0/175 Fuquay-Varina, N.C./Fuquay-Varina
Noah Bridges OF L/R 6-1/165 Four Oaks, N.C./South Johnston
Kep Brown OF R/R 6-5/225 Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Wando (Spartanburg Methodist)
Gage Herring RHP R/R 6-3/200 Newton Grove, N.C./Hobbton
Nick Jodway RHP R/R 6-0/205 Morganton, N.C./Draughn
Greg Jones IF S/R 5-11/170 Cary, N.C./Cary
Brody Lawson RHP R/R 6-4/180 Kernersville, N.C./High Point Christian
Noah Liles OF S/R 6-0/180 Angier, N.C./West Johnston
Lucas Oxendine C R/R 6-1/185 Pembroke, N.C./Purnell Swett
Landon Roupp RHP R/R 6-2/160 Rocky Mount, N.C./Faith Christian