Baseball Signs Nine

Texas State baseball head coach Ty Harrington announced the signing of nine National Letters of Intent Friday afternoon. The Bobcats add seven high school standouts and two junior college transfers with the 2010 signing class.

“This is definitely one of Texas State’s most exciting recruiting classes that have signed in my coaching career,” said head coach Ty Harrington. “The months of hard work that our recruiting coordinator Derek Matlock and assistant coach Jeremy Fikac have put in have definitely paid off.”

Five pitchers, including one southpaw, and four strong infielders make up the core class.

“We were able to sign our first class that could visually see the new stadium,” added Harrington. “The excitement surrounding that adds to the momentum of this growing program, athletic department and university as a whole.”

Scott Grist

RHP, Kempner HS

Grist helped the Kempner Cougars clinch their first-ever district championship in 2009 … was named to the 23-5A All-District second-team … played for the Columbia Angels in the summer of ’09 … also participated in the Fall National Classic in Arizona … competed for the KHS golf and bowling team … active member of Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL) and the National Honor Society.

Blake Bagley

RHP, San Marcos HS

Bagley is a four-year letterwinner at San Marcos High School … dual sport athlete, competing for the Rattlers baseball and football team … earned Honorable Mention honors at pitcher and defensive tackle his freshman season … in 2008 was named to the 25-5A All-District first team … took second team honors at tight end and defensive tackle in the same season … in ’09 earned First-Team All-District honors at pitcher and took 3^rd-Team All-State honors at first base.

Cody Perkins

IF, Kingwood HS

Perkins is a four-year letterwinner at Kingwood HS under head coach Kelly Mead … named 19-5A All-District second team at third base … batted .350 with a .594 slugging percentage and a .590 on-base percentage in 2009 … also played for the Texas Team in the  Sunbelt Classic tournament his sophomore season.

Tyler Nurdin

LHP, Paschal HS

Nurdin  is a four-year letterwinner at Paschal HS under head coach and former Bobcat Stephen Smith … helped lead the Panthers to back-to-back district championships in 2007 and 2008 … in 2009, led PHS to a No. 2 finish in District 3-5A … earned first-team honors at pitcher in 2008 and 2009 … named 2009 Star Telegram 2^nd-Team All-Area pitcher … earned Under Armour 2^nd-Team All-American in 2008 … three-year stat totals include a 2.73 ERA in 100 innings pitched … recorded 164 strikeouts with a 13-4 record and 3 saves.

Dustin Fitzgerald

RHP, Hill JC

Fitzgerald pitched two seasons at Hill Junior College under head coach Chris Rateike … played on the Texas/New Mexico Junior College All-Star Team … prior to Hill, was a two-sport letterwinner at Marshall HS … competed in baseball and football for the Mavericks … earned 2^nd-Team All-District honors at pitcher his junior and senior season … also took honorable mention honors at tight end.

Paul Hendrix

IF, Birdville HS

Hendrix competed at Birdville HS under head coach David Hatcher … was named 1^st-Team All-District shortstop his sophomore season … took 2^nd-Team All-Area honors and Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 … was also named BHS Offensive Player of the Year.

Kyle Finnegan

RHP, Kingwood HS

Finnegan is a two-year letterman at Kingwood HS under head coach Kelly Mead … saw action at pitcher and at shortstop … pitched 17 innings for the Mustangs as the primary closer … posted a 1.70 ERA and was 10-2 in 19-5A District play … during Houston SLAM season earned a 1.04 ERA in 26 innings pitched … also recorded 27 strikeouts with 3 walks.

Casey Kalenkosky

RHP, Cisco JC

Kalenkosky spent two successful seasons at Cisco Junior College under head coach David White … earned NJCAA Region V Most Valuable Player Honors his freshman season … also named All-Region and All-American … batted .467 with 74 RBIs and 8 home runs … prior to CJC letter three years at John Marshall High School … named Rookie of the Year his sophomore season … earned 1^st-Team All-District his junior and season year.

Taylor Black

RHP, Allen HS

Black letter three years at Allen HS under head coach Paul Pool … helped the Eagles to Bi-District Championships in 2007-2009 … in ’08, helped lead AHS to Area Championship and Region Quarterfinals … in ’09 went 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA in 37.1 innings … recorded one save and 35 strikeouts, while walking 15.