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(November
28, 2006) - UC Riverside’s baseball team has
signed 11 players to National Letters of Intent for the 2007-08
season, Head Coach Doug Smith announced. The signees include
seven pitchers and nine of the 11 players hail from Southern
California.
Right-handed pitcher Eddie
Orozco is a local product from Rubidoux High School. The 6’2”
Orozco was named Sunkist League Most Valuable Player in helping
lead the Falcons to the 2006 league title. A two-time All-Riverside
County selection, Smith said that "Eddie is one of the
most competitive kids in the Inland Area and is a proven winner.
Eddie's maturity and leadership skills will help him make
an impact in our program as a freshman."
Trevor Hairgrove is a 6’1”
shortstop from Redlands East Valley High School in Redlands.
He earned 2006 All-Sunbelt League honors and was selected
to both the Press-Enterprise and San Bernardino Sun All-County
teams. Hairgrove was also a member of the 2006 Angels Elite
Team. "Trevor has great tools,” Smith said. “He
possesses soft hands and a great arm. His bat speed and experience
will put him in a position to help us immediately."
A 6’2” right-handed
pitcher, Dustin Emmons is a three-time All-Pacific League
First Team selection from Crescenta Valley High School in
La Crescenta, earning league MVP and All-CIF honors in 2006.
He has led the Falcons to three consecutive league titles
and is a member of the Milwaukee Brewers Area Code Team. "Dustin
is one of the premier high school pitchers in California,”
Smith said. “He has a big frame and throws a powerful
sinker and slider. We look forward to having Dustin's talent
and positive outlook on our team next year."
From Claremont High School,
right-handed pitcher Jason Martyn went 4-1 with 63 strikeouts
in 49.2 innings. He was a teammate of Hairgrove’s on
the Angels Elite Team. "Jason has a very quick arm,”
Smith said. “He throws in the low '90s with command
of two very good breaking pitches. He has had much success
on the mound and throws a lot of strikes. We are excited to
have him join us."
UCR has signed battery-mates
from Corona’s Temescal Canyon High School in catcher
Brett Hambright and right-handed pitcher Matt Larkins. Hambright
has been named to the All-Southwestern League three times
in his career, where he is a two-time team Most Valuable Player.
"Brett is a physically mature player,” Smith said.
“He plays the game extremely hard and has some power
potential in his bat to go along with his great defensive
skills. He has the potential to be a middle of the order hitter
for us at a young age."
Larkins joined Hambright
on the 2006 All-Southwestern League First Team and All-Valley
team. Both also appeared in the North/South All-Star Game
and California Junior All-Star Game. "Matt throws three
quality pitches for strikes and commands the strike zone like
a veteran,” Smith said. “He likes to compete and
pitches with a great deal of poise. He's always played on
winning teams and we look forward to him bringing those winning
expectations with him."
Pitcher/third baseman Kolby
Moore is a two-time All-Mountain View League selection from
Corona’s Centennial High School. As a pitcher, he went
4-4 with a 3.40 earned run average and 61 strikeouts in 47
innings. At the plate, the right-handed Moore hit .391 with
three home runs and 16 runs batted in. A joined Emmons on
the Milwaukee Brewers Area Code Team. "Kolby has a great
arm,” Smith said. “He has the potential to throw
in the 90s and is extremely athletic. We expect great things
from Kolby in the future."
Another tall (6’3”)
right-handed pitcher, Mike Wolford was an All-Sunbelt League
selection in 2005 and 2006 while earning Defensive Player
of the Year honors in 2006. He helped Hemet High School to
the 2006 league championship. "Mike is a great athlete
who has tremendous upside,” Smith said. “He plays
the game with a lot of passion and energy. His drive and work
ethic will be as valuable to our program as his arm and athleticism."
Outfielder Tony Nix won
First Team All-CIF honors in 2006 as Poway High School won
the CIF Division I Championship. A two-time All-Palomar League
selection, the 5’11” Nix showed his athleticism
by hitting for the cycle on April 13, 2006. Tony is very polished
at the plate,” Smith said. “He has a good feel
for the strike zone and will bring a mature plate approach
with him. Tony plays the game with a contagious energy that
will fit in to our program nicely."
The only signee not from
Southern California, Taylor Lee comes to Riverside from Miramonte
High School in Orinda. A 6’1” outfielder, Lee
was a 2006 First Team All-Diablo Foothill Athletic League
selection. "Taylor is a hard working, physical outfielder,”
Smith said. “He can play a few different positions and
should provide some offense from the left side for us."
Hailing from Mission Viejo,
6’3” left-handed pitcher Tommy Mackoul has been
included in “Perfect Game’s” Top Prospect
List. Mackoul won the South Coast Conference title in 2006
at Capistrano High School. "Tommy’s long frame
and arm project well,” Smith said. “He throws
a quality change up for strikes and has shown some velocity
at times. He should develop into a quality pitcher in our
program."
UCR went 29-25 in 2006 in
Smith’s second year as head coach. The Highlanders open
the 2007 season at home on February 1 against the University
of Nevada.
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