Murphy announces four signings in baseball

CSU head baseball coach Gary Murphy

CHARLESTON, SC - Charleston Southern University head baseball coach Gary Murphy has announced the signing of four players during the early signing period for the 2004-05 year.

Signing with the Buccaneers last month were first baseman/pitcher Jonathan Kitts of Berkeley High School in Moncks Corner, South Carolina; left-handed pitcher Payton Tweddale of Northside Christian Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina; third baseman Neil Krock of Collins Hill High School in Lawrenceville, Georgia; and right-handed pitcher Brandon Marshall of Stratford High School in Goose Creek, South Carolina.

"We're happy to have signed not only quality baseball players but outstanding young men during this early signing period," said Murphy. "All four of these young men are honor students and have been very active in their communities as high school students. Each of them will certainly represent their families and Charleston Southern very well over the next four years."

Kitts, a 6-2, 185-pounder, has batted .355 with 42 RBI and a .650 slugging percentage over his high school career at Berkeley. He also has a 9-1 career pitching record as a varsity player with a career earned run average of 2.70.

"He's a big, strong kid that can hit with power and for average, and we expect he will give us quality innings from the mound as well," said Murphy.

Tweddale (6-3, 170) is a two-time North Carolina all-state selection and a 2004 Wendy's High School Heisman nominee. He has a career record of 22-6 with a 1.30 earned run average and is a two-time selection to the Mecklenburg County all-star team. Tweddale recently led a mission trip to Warez, Mexico to build a home for a homeless family.

"Payton is an excellent prospect as a left-handed pitcher," Murphy said. "He will have an immediate impact on our program. His fastball is in the mid-80's and he has excellent off speed stuff as well."

Krock (6-1, 180) is a right-handed hitting infielder who can also play in the outfield. He has a career high school batting average of .389 with 50 career RBI. Last season Krock batted .487 with 12 doubles and was named to the Gwinnett County all-star team. He also holds the Collins high school squat record at 550 pounds. Last year he was named the the MVP of the entire athletic student body at Collins High.

"He has outstanding power and always hits the ball hard," said Murphy. "He's an excellent defensive player with great work habits and a love for the game. We feel like he can come in and challenge for playing time as a true freshman."

Marshall (5-10, 180) is the ace of the squad at South Carolina AAAA power Stratford High, posting a career record of 15-1 with a 1.55 career earned run average. He was named all-state by the High School Sports Report as a junior and is ranked as one of the top five right-handed pitching prospects in South Carolina by the same publication. Marshall was named region 7-AAAA pitcher of the year in 2003 and is a two-time all-region selection. Marshall also plays centerfield is batted .370 last season.

"I'm excited to sign one of the top pitching prospects in the Lowcountry. He has outstanding control of three pitches and is a heady kid on the mound," said Murphy. "Brandon should be able to contribute right away."

Charleston Southern finished 19-37 overall and 9-14 in the Big South Conference in 2003. The Bucs open the 2004 on February 13 at South Carolina in a three-game series.