Upstate Announces 2016 Baseball Early Signing Class
12/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Spartanburg, S.C. – USC Upstate head baseball coach Matt Fincher has announced the signing of seven players during the early signing period. The early signees hail from six different states.
"We are excited about this class," said Fincher. "[Coach Ethan Guevin] has worked very hard to get this class together. We feel that these student-athletes can do a number of things for our program and make a significant impact."
The seven early signees are Jake Bourke, Drake Harris, Brett Hawkins, Christopher Rodriguez, Drew Summeier, Brandyn Ward and Dylan Wilkinson.
Jake Bourke, IF/RHP, Springboro High School (Ohio)
Bourke enters his senior season at Springboro High School rated as the No. 4 second baseman and a top 50 recruit in the state of Ohio by Perfect Game USA. Earlier this year he played at the Prep Baseball Report Top Prospect Games for Ohio held at the University of Cincinnati.
"Jake is a smooth fielding two-way player who has a lot of upside on the mound," said assistant coach Ethan Guevin. "He has already been up to 89 and there is plenty more in the tank. He is also a basketball standout, and fits our mold of getting multi-sport athletes. We expect him to make an immediate impact both on the mound and in the line-up."
"I chose Upstate because I really liked the campus and the coaching staff," Bourke said of his decision to commit to the Spartans. "It just seemed like a great fit for me and instantly felt like home."
Drake Harris, IF/OF/RHP, North Raleigh Christian Academy (North Carolina)
Harris heads into his senior season at North Raleigh Christian Academy as a two-time All-Conference honoree in the Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference (TISAC). He was the league leader in home runs and stolen bases in 2015. In 2014, Harris was named the Defensive Player of the Year.
"Drake plays the game with an intense focus that is hard to miss," stated Guevin. "His skillset allows him to standout on the field in a variety of ways. He hits from both sides of the plate, can really run, and is the type of player who can be the best defender on the field no matter where he is playing. Another standout basketball player, his athleticism and competitive drive will take him far."
"I was brought onto campus and felt like it was a great place for me to excel as an athlete and a student," said Harris. "The facilities and campus life seemed perfect and I was excited with their love for the game of baseball and interest in my abilities. I was looking for a place to try and make an impact as soon as I walked on campus and I felt as though they were going to give me that chance. I couldn't be happier with my decision and I look forward to starting my journey as a Spartan."
Brett Hawkins, IF/RHP, Cambridge High School (Georgia)
Hawkins will arrive at USC Upstate following a standout career at Cambridge High School in Milton, Ga. Among the Perfect Game USA top 1000 in the nation, Hawkins was named an Honorable Mention Pre-Season All-American by Perfect Game prior to the 2015 season. In addition, he has been named to the Perfect Game All-Tournament team four times in 2015.
"The only out I have seen Brett make was a laser the right fielder caught on the run," said Guevin. "From the first game I saw him play, I knew he was a great fit for us. That game and every game I went and followed up on, he made diving plays, got hit after hit, and showed a grittiness you can't teach."
"I chose USC Upstate because I believe that it would be a great fit for me academically and for baseball," said Hawkins.
Christopher Rodriguez, IF/OF, Manalapan High School (New Jersey)
A Perfect Game top 500 player, Rodriguez enters his senior season at Manalapan High School as the No. 2 third baseman in New Jersey for the high school class of 2016. Rodriguez was named a 2015 Perfect Game Underclass High Honorable Mention recipient.
"First and foremost, Chris is a great kid and high energy player," stated Guevin. "He can play a variety of positions in the infield and outfield, which is a testament to his athleticism. He has tremendous pop in his bat and is an above average defender at 3B. He is a top player nationally, and was the first player in our 2016 class to commit."
"I chose USC Upstate because when I got on campus for my visit, I immediately felt at home," said Rodriguez. "When I met the team and coaches, they all had that hungry ambition to win and grind every day. They get after everything they do, it's the perfect fit for me. I felt like I was part of their baseball family the minute I walked up to the field!"
Drew Summeier, RHP, Warren Central High School (Indiana)
Summeier heads into his senior season at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis as the No. 13 pitching prospect in the state of Indiana as ranked by Prep Baseball Report. One of Perfect Game's top 1000 players, Summeier earned Perfect Game Underclass Honorable Mention accolades in 2014 and 2015.
"The ball comes out of Drew's hand with effortless velocity and he really moves down the slope well," said Guevin. "He will be a huge addition to our pitching staff. His competitive drive and confidence will be infectious to his teammates."
USC Upstate's George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business and Economics was part of what led Summeier to sign with the Spartans. "I chose Upstate because of the rich academic history of in the business school and the tradition of the baseball program," said Summeier.
Brandyn Ward, OF, Jupiter High School (Florida)
A native of Jupiter, Fla., Ward is ranked among the top 1000 players in the country by Perfect Game. Additionally, he earned Underclass Honorable Mention honors from the organization in 2015. Ward was also a participant in the 2015 Florida High School Baseball Futures All-Star Game.
"Brandon is a physical OF who continues to impress with his tireless work ethic," said assistant coach Tyler Cook. "Each time we see him play, he has made improvements to his game. He will be a valued addition to our outfield and we expect him to compete for a spot in our lineup right away."
"I chose USC Upstate because the campus was amazing and made me feel like home," said Ward. "Academically, I liked the small student to teacher ratio. I really connected with the coaches."
Dylan Wilkinson, 1B, High Point Christian Academy (North Carolina)
Wilkinson was named to the 2015 North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) 3A All-State team in 2015 after he hit .435 with 10 home runs and 34 RBI as a junior at High Point Christian Academy.
"Every time Dylan steps in the box there's a chance something big happens," stated Guevin. "He is a big bopper who hits from the left side for power. He is surprisingly athletic for a guy his size and will fit in well with our team both on the field and in the classroom."
"I chose Upstate because I love the campus, the facilities, and on my official visit I connected with the guys and the coaches," said Wilkinson.
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