Four Players Round Out Baseball's Class of 2012
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont baseball team rounds out its incoming class for the 2012 season with four more student-athletes, as announced by Head Coach Dave Jarvis on Friday. Matthew Kinney, Alec Diamond, Drew Ferguson, and Joseph Stovall will be among the newcomers attempting to help the Bruins defend their Atlantic Sun Championship next spring.
"We are extremely excited about the group of new players we have coming for next year," Jarvis said. "Matthew, Alec, Drew and Joseph will be great additions to the squad, and we can't wait to get started. We've lost plenty of talent and a bunch of character guys in our outgoing seniors, but I am sure these guys will step up to the plate in 2012."
Matthew Kinney comes from Blessed Trinity High School in Roswell, Ga. The outfielder hit .462 in his senior season with Blessed Trinity and also competed as the closer for the team that made it to the State Quarterfinals. Kinney also received the Georgia Dugout Club Outstanding Season Award.
"Matthew is an outfielder that we are very excited about adding to this class," Jarvis said. "He also could be a factor on the mound for us as a situational left-hander. Matthew is a leadoff type hitter that bats from the left side and played in a great high school program under Coach Andy Harlin. He also has good experience with the Coach Russ Dickerson and the East Cobb Astros, and we expect his transition to Division 1 baseball to be smooth."
Alec Diamond attended The Walker School in Marietta, Ga. before joining the Bruins. At Walker, he recorded an average of .512 and a slugging percentage of .756 during his senior season. Diamond also recorded 16 walks and only four strikeouts at the plate. He was named First Team All-Region in 2010 and 2011, and was a State Wrestling Champion.
"Alec is a versatile player that we feel can be a very good addition to our team as either an infielder or a catcher," Jarvis said. "We are lucky to have a player that has competed under Walker School Coach Mike Brady. Alec hits from the left side and handles the bat very well. Playing with the East Cobb Astros during the summer, we know he will come to us well prepared for Atlantic Sun Conference baseball."
Drew Ferguson joins the Belmont squad after attending Knoxville Catholic High School. There he recorded a batting average of .378 during his senior season. Ferguson totaled 20 doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 20 walks, and only nine strikeouts in 2011. He was named All-District 4AAA in 2010 and 2011, as well as All-Region in 2010.
"Drew is a very instinctive player that will give a great deal of versatility to our team," Jarvis said. "He can be a utility infielder, and with his athleticism, he can also play in the outfield. Drew will be a factor for us as a base stealer, as he was very successful in that phase of the game in one of the best districts in the state of Tennessee. Coach Adam Sullivan does a great job with his program and we expect Drew to be a great addition to this class."
Finally, Joseph Stovall comes to Nashville from Collierville High School in Memphis. Under Head Coach Jeff Hopkins, he finished 2011 with a .400 batting average, seven home runs and a .712 slugging percentage. Stovall was also named to the All-Metro team as a senior.
"Joseph is an athletic physical kid that we feel can develop into a very nice player," Jarvis said. "He is a great student and a perfect fit both on the field and in the Belmont community. Joseph plays for one of the state's power high schools in Collierville, and a great coach in Jeff Hopkins. He was a big part of Collierville's outstanding run into the state tournament this spring."
These four student-athletes join Austin Coley, Scott Moses, Jamie Ritchie, Neil Hickman, Matt Beaty, Dan Ludwig, and Jessie Snodgrass as the 2012 incoming class for the Belmont baseball team. The Bruins will be attempting to win its second straight A-Sun Championship and reach the NCAA Regional in back to back seasons next spring.
