Baseball Announces Spring Signing Class
4/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Spartanburg, S.C. - USC Upstate head baseball coach Matt Fincher has announced this afternoon the signing of three players during the spring signing period. The three players hail from Georgia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
"We feel like we've addressed a number of needs with this class," said Fincher. "They will add depth and a level of competitiveness with our current players that will make our team better. We look forward to their contributions over the next several seasons."
The three signees are Cory Bartholomew, Russell Schwertfeger and Nemo Trexler.
Cory Bartholomew, P, Tattnall Square Acadmey (Georgia)
Bartholomew will arrive at Upstate after completing his scholastic career at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, Ga. A member of the GISA AAA 2013 and 2014 state championship team, Bartholomew has won over 30 games while on the mound for the Trojans. Bartholomew was named to the Region 7A All-Region Team as a freshman and sophomore, and was named the Region Pitcher of the Year in 2015. He was also named to the GISA Class AAA All-State Team in 2014.
"Cory is a high intellect baseball player," said assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Ethan Guevin. "His fastball sits in the upper 80s and flashes 90 from time to time, but more impressive is his ability to pitch and read hitters. He has been a key guy for a very successful program for his entire high school career, and we look forward to him doing the same here in Spartanburg."
"I chose Upstate because I loved the campus and atmosphere around the college," said Bartholomew. "It will be a great fit for me coming from a small school to a college with fairly small classes. I'm excited about coming in and meeting new teammates and becoming part of the Spartan Nation."
Russell Schwertfeger, OF, Potomac State (West Virginia)
A native of Bethany, W.Va., Schwertfeger joins the Spartans from Potomac State College in West Virginia where he was a member of the 2015 Region XX championship team. Schwertfeger currently leads the Catamounts in at-bats, batting average, hits, doubles and triples. While at Brooke High School, Schwertfeger was a three-year letter winner in baseball and basketball. Schwertfeger also has experience playing on American Legion teams, and was the 2013 MVP and 2014 Silver Slugger Award winner for Wheeling Post I.
"Russell will be an exciting player for the Spartan faithful to watch over the next few years," said Guevin. "He brings a unique blend of strength and speed from the left side of the plate. If he keeps working and developing, he has the ability to be a legitimate 5-tool player."
"When I saw the field and the weight room, I knew it was a great place to continue my career and grow as a player," Schwertfeger said. "I am excited to reach one of my life goals and play baseball at the Division 1 level in a great conference."
Nemo Trexler, OF/RHP, Garrett College (Maryland)
A two-sport athlete at Garrett College, Trexler will turn his attention to the diamond when he arrives in Spartanburg this fall. In 2014, Trexler hit .469 and was chosen as the top returning player in Region 20 for the 2015 season. Trexler was also a member of the basketball team and earned second team All-Region honors as well as Second Team All-MDJUCO accolades. Trexler, a Johnstown, Pa. native, is the all-time leading scorer at Bishop McCourt Catholic High School where he played basketball, football and baseball.
"It will be exciting to see what Nemo can do now that he is able to focus solely on baseball," commented Guevin. "We love that he was a multi-sport athlete, and his athleticism will make an immediate impact on the mound and in the field. Like Russell, Nemo has all the tools to be a dominant force at this level. We are really looking forward to getting him to campus."
The Upstate coaching staff was a big reason that Trexler chose to continue his college career in Spartanburg. "I chose Upstate because I believe the coaching staff showed interest in making me a better player and student," said Trexler. "I'm excited to compete for a role."
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