From all indications, UWG’s second-year coach is making progress toward luring that infusion of talent to his West Georgia program.
Fite Tuesday announced the signing of eight new players to baseball scholarships with West Georgia. These eight are in addition to the seven players signed by the Wolves during the early recruiting period last November.
“We’re really happy with this group,” said Fite of his 2011 signing class. “We have added some power arms to the pitching staff, and some really talented players at the other positions.”
After signing five pitchers during the early period, Fite has added two additional mount prospects this spring. They are Jesse Mulkey, Marietta native who comes to UWG from Gadsden (Ala.) State Community College, and Blake McLemore, who hails from Columbus and is a recent graduate of Harris County High School.
West Georgia’s fall pitching signees include one juco transfer and four from the high school ranks. The group includes right-handers Jared Slaven of Georgia Perimeter College, Walker White of Coffee County High School, Mitch Crutchfield of Grayson High, and Jamie Sexton of Jefferson High School. The lone lefty in the group isJustin Key of Northside High in Warner Robins.
Six position players are part of the current spring signing class. From the juco ranks the Wolves added catcher Andy Marinelli, a Woodstock native who played the two previous seasons at Chattanooga (Tenn.) State.
The five new high school players added include outfielders Bryan Dunson of Heard County High in neighboring Franklin; and Trey Dixon of Cartersville High. Newcomers to the infield include shortstop Bill Redmond of Commerce and Banks County High; shortstop and third baseman Beau Wellborn of Lassiter High in Marietta, and first baseman Jason Croft of Cartersville High School.
West Georgia’s early recruits featured two position players. One is second basemanStuart Drew, an all-region juco performer from South Georgia. The other is Danny Bodziak, an outfielder from Sarasota (Fla.) High School.
“Coach (Chris) Moore has worked really hard on this recruiting class, and he’s done an outstanding job,” said Fite. “ We expect to see a lot of these guys on the field next season.”
Though the bulk of recruiting has been completed, Fite says that he could add several more players before fall classes begin in August.
