USCB baseball recruiting class starting to take shape

Despite a tremendously successful debut season, USC Beaufort baseball coach Rick Sofield felt his team had some pressing needs to fill if the Sand Sharks are going to improve in their second season, and Sofield has begun to address those needs. The school announced the signing of six baseball recruits, who you can find out more about below (and I went ahead and threw in LHP Adam Miller, who isn't technically a new recruit but will be a new face for Sand Sharks fans next season). I haven't talked to Sofield about the signings yet, but you can see below that he has addressed his concerns about pitching depth and shoring up the middle infield, while also adding some veteran players to a young roster by adding four transfers (not counting Miller).

I'm hoping to have more in tomorrow's paper, but here's what I know so far based on the school's release and some cursory Google searching:

Cory Burgess, RHP, USC Sumter/Riverside H.S.

Rising junior posted a 6.59 ERA in 13 2/3 innings of relief for the Fire Ants. He picked up one save, struck out 17 and walked eight.

Sofield says: Cory has a mature competitive fiber. He features a good fastball and a solid breaking pitch. We look for him to come out of our bullpen.

Denzel Campbell, OF, Centennial H.S. (College Park, Ga.)

High school standout went through The Baseball Factory, which is where Sofield found Sand Sharks center fielder R.J. Neal, among others. Sofield said Campbell hit .525 as a senior, has power to all fields and can hit to the gaps.

Sofield says: Denzel reminds me of former major leaguer Reggie Sanders. He is the whole package. He will be a good player here and could help us win the conference championship.

Alex Graham, LHP, Buchholz H.S. (Newberry, Fla.)

Lefty comes from the same high school as Sand Sharks pitcher Jorge Olmo. He picked USCB over University of Tampa, Florida Atlantic and Florida Southern.

Sofield says: Graham has a tremendous breaking ball and serious instincts. He will be a major factor early.

Adam Miller, LHP, Savannah College of Art and Design

The redshirt sophomore technically isn’t a new recruit, because he has already been at USCB for a year, but he had to sit out last season after transferring from conference rival SCAD, where he threw a no-hitter and a one-hitter as a freshman in 2008.

2008 stats: Went 5-2 with a 3.21 ERA in 12 games (8 starts). In 47 2/3 innings, struck out 39 and walked 17.

Larry Perry, INF, USC Sumter/Fairfeild Central H.S.

Rising junior hit .320/.385/.427for the Fire Ants. Scored 45 runs, hit 10 doubles, 3 home runs and 33 RBI. Stole 26 bases in 28 attempts and boasted a team-high .968 fielding in 58 games.

Sofield says: He was the main spoke in the wheel that led USC Sumter to the National Junior College playoffs. He could be as good as any player in the Sun Conference.

Blake Sanders, SS, Brewton-Parker College

Rising senior started 39 games for the Barons, hitting .306/.381/.419 with 11 doubles, a home run and 22 RBI. Stole eight bases in nine attempts and scored 34 runs.

Sofield says: He will bring a presence along with a great work ethic and poise to the Sand Sharks. He is a quality defender who could change the outlook of our infield.

Kiefer Youmans, OF, Andrew College/South Effingham (Ga.) H.S.

Rising junior hit .314/.364/.481 in 50 games (45 starts) at Andrew College. Smacked 17 extra-base hits (12 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs) with 36 RBI and stole 24 bases in 27 attempts.

Sofield says: He bring in tremendous athleticism, runs well and has a tremendous arm. I expect him to play a lot for us.

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