HGHS TROJANS BASEBALL NEWS ITEM

Recent College Signing(s): Grant Bennett signs with Wallace State C.C.-Hanceville

                                        Tyler Bryant signs with Alabama A&M University

                                        Todd Wilkinson signs with University of Alabama Birmingham

                                        Congratulation guys! We are proud of you!!

Recent Articles on the signings from AAMU Sports and UAB Blazers:

http://aamusports.com/news/2010/11/18/BB_1118102348.aspx

http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/111710aaa.html

Posted Nov 18/10 - Tyler Bryant signs with A&M

A&M Baseball Signs Four During Early Period

AAMU Sports Info.

11/18/2010 8:21:10 PM

NORMAL – “We are excited about our first recruiting class on “The Hill,” said head baseball coach Ed McCann. “We feel like it is a strong start that will help us immediately change the culture of A&M Baseball as it has been.”

“A New Beginning is the motto for the 2011 edition of Bulldog Baseball.

“We feel we did an awesome job in landing the areas finest,” McCann was quoted as saying. “All four have character and talent and a desire to change the baseball culture for the Maroon & White. All four come from outstanding programs and all four have been an important element in their respective high schools’ baseball programs recent success.”

Those four individuals include Jordan Friend (Lee High School-Huntsville-Mid INF), Brandon Crutcher (Lee High School-Huntsville-OF), Tyler Bryant (Hazel Green High School-Meridianville-C) and Brandon Pooler (Sparkman High School-Harvest-Mid INF)

Brandon Pooler and Jordan Friend will provide stability to the Bulldogs middle infield. Both have great reaction, great arms and outstanding speed on the base paths.

Tyler Bryant, a left handed hitter who also plays catcher, is solid defensively behind the plate, with gap to gap power.

Brandon Crutcher is a specimen whose big arm compliments his big time ability anywhere on the field.

“We feel these young men are cornerstones to the foundation of an extraordinary work ethic, which are traits that are a rare commodity in today’s times”, McCann stated. “These signings and the others we plan to bring in are reason enough to follow Alabama A&M Baseball in 2011.

Posted Nov 17/10 - Todd Wilkinson Signs with UAB

Blazer Baseball Signs Todd Wilkinson In Early Period

Infielder entering senior season at Hazel Green High School

	Wilkinson comiitted just three errors at shortstop in 40 ames as a high school junior.

Nov. 17, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB baseball program has signed Todd Wilkinson, an infielder from Hazel Green, Ala., to a National Letter of Intent.

A team captain entering his fourth year as a starter at Hazel Green High School in northern Alabama, Wilkinson owns a career batting average of better than .350 with more than 25 home runs and 70 stolen bases. He led Hazel Green in homers and steals as a junior this past spring.

Wilkinson has also been a reliable defender, earning his team's Gold Glove award. He made just three errors in 40 games at shortstop in his junior campaign. Wilkinson also served as his team's closer in 2010, allowing only one run in 12 appearances.

"We honestly believe that Todd is one the best players in the state of Alabama and will have a dramatic impact on our program," UAB head coach Brian Shoop said. "For followers of Blazer baseball, we see Todd as a very similar player to Jonathan Merritt, our all-conference shortstop who is now playing professionally in the Astros organization.

"Todd has some serious pop in his bat and is a legitimate stolen base threat every time he is on base. He is also an outstanding defender with a very good arm, so Todd is really a complete player and will make us better in every area."

A Huntsville Times All-Area selection in 2008, Wilkinson is a former East-West All-Star and a participant in the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Top 100 Prospect Showcase.

In summer ball, Wilkinson has played on four United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) state championship teams and competed three times at the USSSA Elite World Series. He also played for a Baseball Players Association state championship team and an AAU national championship squad.

This past summer, Wilkinson played summer ball for Team Excel out of Oxford, Ala.

"Todd has a tremendous baseball background," Shoop said. "He plays in one of the truly outstanding high school programs in our state at Hazel Green. His summer experiences are incredible, including playing this past summer with Team Excel, where he was coached at a very high level. He has played in many big games and on many big stages and will be ready to play the schedule that we play at UAB.

"Maybe the best thing about Todd, though, is who he is as a person. He is tough, he is competitive, and he is a leader. It is one thing to be a team captain and another to watch a team and see who they are following. Todd is the leader of his team. He leads by example and with energy, and we know that he will play an immediate positive role on our team."

Wilkinson, who is entering his senior season, will enroll at UAB for the 2011-12 academic year and compete for the Blazers beginning with the 2012 baseball season.