Fall 2007 Baseball

Head Coach Billy Berry is excited to announce the commitments of the 2008 recruiting class.

The list includes first baseman Matt Stanley (Volunteer State Community College), catcher Tyler Moyneur (Arizona Western College), outfielder Gary Tucker (Hiwassee College), pitcher Frank Dougherty (North Alabama), pitcher Alan Gatz (El Camino Community College), pitcher Joel Brookens (North Carolina State University), pitcher Kris Jiggitts (Colby College), pitcher Cody Wise (College of the Desert), pitcher Jonathon Swartout (Volunteer State Community College), pitcher Jeff Woods (Kellogg College), outfielder Robby Hearn (Middle Georgia), and pitcher Jeremy Beeching (Volunteer State Community College).

“We feel we have really put together a good mix for the 2008 season,” said Berry. “We have filled some immediate needs as well as being able to sign a few young guys who we hope will make an immediate impact.” Berry went on to add, “I want to thank former assistant Erik Maas and current assistant Michael Moody for putting this class together. They worked extremely hard and have given us a great start to the 2008 season.”

Matt Stanley

Stanley, last year, played for former TWC alum Mike Crossland at Volunteer State. The 6’1 185 pound first baseman hit .371 with 10 doubles, 47 RBI and a .650 SLG % while leading the Pioneers with 65 hits and 13 homeruns as a freshman at Vol. State. As a sophomore, Stanley hit .333 with 18 doubles, a triple, 7 home runs, and 42 runs batted in. “Matt is a middle of the lineup type hitter, with great power, that we can play at a number of positions,” said Coach Berry. “We love his versatility and his bat.”

 

Tyler Moyneur

As a freshman, for Arizona Western, Moyneur hit .327 with 7 doubles, 3 triples and 1 homerun to help the Matadors to a 39-18 record and a Regional birth. Moyneur was an ACCAC All Conference 2nd team selection. The 6’3 190 pound catcher was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 24th round of the 2006 Major League Draft. “Tyler is an outstanding catcher that will step in and make an instant impact for us,” said Berry. “He’s a well-rounded catcher that will help us both offensively and defensively.” As a sophomore, Moyneur hit .324 in 172 AB with 56 hits, 14 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs, and 33 runs batted in. Moyneur was named the 2007 1st team All ACCAC and named to the 2007 2nd team NJCAA All Region I.

Gary Tucker

Gary Tucker hit .307 with 12 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 44 RBI and 16 stolen bases as a freshman for the Tigers. The 5’11 175 pound center fielder from Hampton, VA is the latest addition in a long line of good players that have come from Hiwassee. “One of our main goals this class was to get more speed in the outfield,” said Berry. “Gary is a rare talent that possesses not only the ability to swipe a base but also knock a ball out of the yard. We’re excited for that.”
 

Frank Dougherty

Dougherty comes to the Bulldogs from North Alabama where the 6’2’’ 190 lbs RHP posted a 5.23 ERA in 14 appearances. In those 14 games, Dougherty threw 21.2 IP with 24 Ks, and a 2 - 1 record. Coach Berry likes what Dougherty is bringing to the bulldog pitching staff and expects many innings for Dougherty in the spring. “Dougherty has a good attitude to go along with his good arm and has good stuff,” says Coach Berry.
 

Alan Gatz

Gatz is a 6’3’’ 195 lbs RHP from El Camino CC. Gatz is coming to the Bulldog pitching staff after a year where he posted a 2.29 ERA in 15 games. In those 15 games, Gatz was 9 - 4 in 106.1 IP with 55 Ks. In 2007, Gatz was All SCC Honorable Mention. What Gatz brings to the Bulldogs will help reload a pitching staff which lost two pitchers to the MLB Draft. “Gatz was a quality starter for El Camino last year, and he will compete for a weekend starter spot for the spring,” Coach Berry said of Gatz.

Joel Brookens

Joel is a 6’0’’ 210 lbs RHP who pitched for NC State where he had a 3.41 ERA in 23 games. In those 23 appearances, Joel had a 1 - 1 record in 31.2 IP with 28 Ks. In 2007, Joel was a Valley League All Star. “Joel gives us a go to guy in the bullpen, and someone who can shut the door on opposing teams. With Joel’s experience and electric arm, he will be a great asset to the pitching staff,” says Coach Berry.

Kris Jiggitts

From Colby College, Jiggitts, 6’2’’ 190 lbs RHP, comes to the Bulldogs after a year where is posted a 3.71 ERA in 14 games. In those 14 games, Jiggitts threw 54 IP with 54 Ks and had a 6 - 2 record with 3 Saves. In the 2007 MLB draft, Jiggitts was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 44th round. “Jiggitts is a hard worker who will be working for a starting spot in the pitching rotation,” according to Coach Berry.

Cody Wise

Coming to the Bulldog pitching staff in 2008, Wise is from the College of the Desert where the 6’3 right hander had a 2.49 ERA in 12 games. Wise had a 1 - 1 record, 2 Saves, and 22 Ks in 21 IPs. Wise was named to the 2nd Team Foothill Conference in 2007. “Wise was a go to man in the pen last year for the College of the Desert, and he will compete to earn the role out of the bulldog bullpen” says Coach Berry.

Jonathon Swartout

Swartout is 6’0 170 lb closer from Volunteer State CC, who was a teammate of Matt Stanley. Swartout transfed from Wayne State University (Michigan) where as a freshman, he led the Warriors in appearances (16), saves (3) and relievers opponents batting average (.254). He finished the year with a 1-2 record and a 4.50 ERA. For Volunteer State, Swartout posted a 3.25 ERA in 21 games. In those 21 appearances, Swartout was 5 - 3 in 27.1 IP with 36 Ks. Swartout will be a great addition to the Bulldog pitching staff this year. “Swartout is a team player and a coach able player who will compete for the closers spot in the bullpen”, said Coach Berry.
 

Jeff Woods

Coming to the Bulldogs this year, Woods, a 6’2’’ 180 pound left handed pitcher, had a great year for Kellogg College on the mound. For Kellogg, Woods had an 11 - 0 record in 12 games with a 0.77 ERA. In those 12 starts, Woods compiled 63 IP with 58 strikes out and 17 walks. Woods was named to the 2007 1st Team All MCCAA, 2007 1st Team NJCAA All Region XII, and 2007 1st Team NJCAA All American. “Woods pitched well for Kellogg last year, and I am looking forward to Woods competing for a weekend starting pitching spot,” said Coach Berry.


 

Jeremy Beeching

Jeremy is a 6’3’’ LHP who played for Volunteer State last year with Swartout and Stanley. Last year Jeremy had a 6.19 ERA in 10 games where he had 32 IP with 47 Ks and a 3 - 2 record. In 2006, Beeching was drafted in the 47th round by the Seattle Mariners in the MLB draft. Coach Berry is excited to have Beeching in the pitching staff saying, “His arm will help bolster a solid pitching staff for the spring.”


 

Robby Hearn

Robby is coming to the Bulldog team from Middle Georgia and Lee University where he did not play due to injury. While at Middle Georgia, Hearn hit .321 in 184 AB with 59 H, 15 2Bs, 5 Hrs, and 46 RBIs. Hearn, a 6’ 205 lbs outfielder is expected to help in the outfield and be a great addition to the bulldog line-up. “Hearn is a good player with a good attitude who will compete for a spot in the middle of the bulldog line-up,” Coach Berry said.