Buccaneer Baseball Announces 2011 Recruiting Class

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern University head baseball coach Stuart Lake announced the early signing of nine players to the 2011 recruiting class on Tuesday. Seven high school seniors, as well as two junior college student-athletes, will join the Buccaneers for the 2010 season. 

 “We are very excited about this class; it is our third class to come in since taking the job in summer of 2008, so these guys are vital part of what we are trying to build here at CSU,” says Coach Lake. “Again, we try to recruit as much as we can within a five to six hour radius of Charleston, and we have done so with this class again, as we have eight South Carolina players and a North Carolina player. We hope that each guy will make an immediate impact and fill some voids as we have 11 seniors graduating along with a few draft-eligible juniors.  Our Recruiting Coordinator, Charles Assey, along with assistant coaches, Sid Fallaw, Jamie Rabon, and JJ Reilly, have really worked hard to recruit the right kind of players on and off the field.”

Among the South Carolina recruits, the 2011 Buccaneer high school recruiting class is ranked fourth in the state of South Carolina amongst 11 total Division I programs, with three players in the top 30 overall players.

“We have made a strong commitment to our state as well as surrounding states in the Southeast, and pride ourselves in bringing in top quality student-athletes that come from very top notch high school programs with good tradition,” says Recruiting Coordinator Charles Assey.

Chase Shelton - LHP/1B/OF (6’5 / 210lbs) 
West Columbia, S.C./Brookland-Cayce High School 
“We are very excited to have someone of Chase’s versatility coming in. I coached at Brookland-Cayce HS for 2 years, so I know the type of program Chase is coming from. Chase will bring a physical presence to our team both on the mound and at the plate. Chase has a very good chance to develop into a good LHP as well as a good LH-Hitter. With Chase’s versatility we expect him to have a lot of opportunity both on the mound and at the plate.” - Coach Lake. 

Bobby Ison- OF (5-8 / 160lbs)
 Goose Creek, SC/Stratford High School
 “Bobby is going to be a spark plug his whole career. He is a very good and natural left-handed hitter, who seems to find his way on base. Bobby is one of the hardest playing guys in the 2011 class and that I have seen in recent years, he is a true hard-nose player. I expect Bobby to bring a lot of energy to our program.  Bobby comes from another in-state program, Stratford High School, which has a great tradition of winning.” – Coach Lake

Austin Weekley - RHP (6-2 / 170lbs)
Charleston, S.C./James Island High School
 “We are very excited to have Austin coming into our program. Austin is local guy that we are fortunate to keep in Charleston. Austin comes from a very respected program in James Island High School. . We expect Austin to come in and have plenty of opportunities off the mound. With Austin’s various arm angle, he should mix in well with some relief appearances. He brings a good work ethic with him and should continue to get better each year.” – Coach Lake

Evan Still - OF (5-10 / 180lbs)
North Augusta, S.C. /North Augusta High School “Evan is another guy that comes to us from a very good high school program that is built on tradition and winning. Evan is a very physical looking player who also plays the game hard. As a strong left-handed hitter, we look for Evan to push for appearances early in his career. Evan is another guy who works very hard both on and off field, and we hope he continues to bring that into the CSU program.” – Coach Lake

CJ Edwards - RHP (6-3 / 180lbs)
Newberry, S.C. /Mid Carolina High School
 “CJ comes to us as a very high prospect both within college and professionally. CJ comes out of  Mid-Carolina High School as one of the top rated overall players as well as top rated arms in South Carolina. As a high velocity throwing Right-Handed pitcher, we expect CJ to work into innings very early in his career and continue to improve as he gets older. CJ brings very good make-up and attitude to our pitching staff.” – Coach Lake

Austin Hicks – RHP/OF (6-3 / 175lbs)
Fort Mill, S.C. / Nations Ford High School
 “Austin is probably one of the most under-rated players in South Carolina. Austin will come in as a dual guy for us playing both the OF and pitching. Austin has a high ceiling of ability with tremendous arm strength from both the mound and OF. Austin is a very good runner and swings the bat well from the right side. We expect Austin to come in with a lot athleticism and push for playing time at numerous spots.” – Coach Lake

Robbie Streete - INF (6-3 / 205lbs)
Lexington, S.C. /White Knoll High School
 “Robbie is one of the best hitters overall in the state of South Carolina. Robbie comes from the recent State Championship program in White Knoll HS, so Robbie brings in a winning mentality. Robbie is ranked as the #1 second-baseman prospect in South Carolina. He is one of the purist hitters that has come through South Carolina in recent years. Robbie’s ability to hit will find him mixing in early as well.” – Coach Lake

Ryan Gunther - RHP (6-2 / 185lbs)
Goose Creek, S.C. /Stratford High School (Spartanburg Methodist College)
 “Ryan is a local guy from Stratford HS that originally entered Elon University as a freshman, and then transferred to Spartanburg Methodist. We are very fortunate to have the chance to get Ryan back home in Charleston. Ryan was a good pitcher in high school and has done nothing but get better his 2 years on the collegiate level. As an older, experienced guy – we are hoping Ryan steps right in to fill in some starting roles on the mound for the Bucs. Ryan is a high velocity strike thrower, that commands 3 pitches and shows great poise on the mound. We are really excited to have Ryan back home and tossing the hard ball for the Bucs.” – Coach Lake

John Faircloth - INF (6-1 / 180lbs.)
Wake Forest, N.C. /Wake Forest Rolesville High School (Brunswick C.C.)
 “John will be one of our more versatile and special players. John is a switch-hitting infielder that can play 3B, SS, and 2B. John demonstrates power from both sides of the plate and seems to find his way on base quite often. John has very good feet and hands in the infield, giving him the ability to play multiple positions within the infield. John is another older guy we are bringing in from the Junior College ranks in which he will bring a swagger of confidence and maturity to our team. John’s versatility on the infield, along with his ability to hit from both sides of the plate will promote John for quick playing time.” – Coach Lake