8 Bulldogs sign for Next Level

PERKINSTON — Eight Mississippi Gulf Coast baseball players have signed letters of intent to continue their collegiate careers in the fall signing period.

Gulf Coast head coach Bob Keller has seen four pitchers, two infielders, an outfielder and a two-way player announce their intentions at the Next Level after their spring season playing for the Bulldogs. His squad spent the fall playing against two- and four-year schools to generate exposure for his sophomore class.

"This is a big moment for these players, their families and our program," Keller said. "They work hard at their craft. This is our largest early signing group in recent years so it's really neat to see.

"I know we have several more who will sign in the spring signing period, as well. We are thankful to our assistant coaches as well. Both Coach (Zach) Allen and (Andy) McCall played big parts in each player's journey to their goals."

Blake King — UAB Blazers (NCAA Division I)

The right-handed pitcher from Petal went 3-4 with a 5.43 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 59.2 innings as a freshman. He struck out 10 in seven dominating innings to beat Illinois Central 5-1.

"Blake is being recruited for his durability on the mound," Keller said. "He is a good worker with a live arm. The players that have come from Petal have done well here. He finished last year as a top pitcher for us as a freshman, so it was easy to see this coming. We look for him to have a big year for us and in his future inside of Conference USA."

Marc Stephens — Campbell Camels (NCAA Division I)

The shortstop from Orange Beach, Ala., batted .340 with five home runs and 35 RBI. He had a .930 OPS with three four-RBI games, earning a spot on the All-MACCC Honorable Mention list.

"Mark was sought out by a few different schools," Keller said. "Eventually he chose Campbell because of their stability and strong reputation for postseason baseball. He has been one the most consistent players I have coached, and he had a great fall. He will help Campbell on both sides of the ball. He has always had a knack for his ability to control the strike zone at the plate and has been extremely reliable as a defender. He comes from a great program at Gulf Shores which helped to lay the roots of who is today. We wish him success next year."

Brandon Cain — Oklahoma Sooners (NCAA Division I)

The outfielder/right-handed pitcher from Mobile, Ala., transferred to Gulf Coast from Coastal Alabama-North, where he batted .317 with one home run and 19 RBI. He also went 4-2 on the mound with a 2.42 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 44.2 innings.

"Brandon is a transfer to us, although he's no stranger to me," Keller said. "I've seen him grow as a player from high school and really blossom lately here at Perk. He comes from a good program at Baker High School. He has loud tools — run, hit and throw. He is the kind of player that can change a game in a variety of ways. We signed him to be a two-way player and are super excited to have him this year and watch his career play out."

Charlie Keller — Jacksonville State Gamecocks (NCAA Division I)

The third baseman from Mobile, Ala., was a force at the plate who leading the country with 16 home runs in 32 games before being injured. He batted .311 with 47 RBI who announced his presence at Gulf Coast with a four-home run day in the season-opening doubleheader against Nunez. Keller was named to the All-MACCC Honorable Mention list.

"Charlie had a big year for us last year providing some really big hits from the left side," Bob Keller said. "His power can change a game with one swing, and he has a big arm from third base. He also came from a very good high school program in Mobile Christian, and he continues to grow as a leader. I would not be surprised if he also saw some time on the mound here as well, or even at the next level. He was excited about the new staff assembled at Jacksonville State, their first-class facilities and their recent move to Conference USA."

Adrian Byrd — Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (NCAA Division I)

The left-handed pitcher from Wiggins went 1-3 with a 6.11 ERA as a freshman. He struck out 41 batters in 35.1 innings, including a season-high seven in 6.1 innings in a 9-4 win over Nunez.

"Adrian has worked hard to get himself into this spot," Keller said. "He has applied himself in the classroom and on the field. He was on a lot of schools' radar this fall. He has a good arm and can really spin the breaking ball. ULM should be getting a real weapon on the mound. Adrian has a big ceiling, and the sky is the limit for him. I credit him for staying the course in his development. Every program needs some quality lefties and Adrian fills that need. He can start or come out of the pen."

Nick Thornton — LSU Shreveport Pilots (NAIA)

The left-handed left fielder from Brandon batted .243 with two home runs and 14 RBI as a freshman. He showed a big arm in left field, registering two assists, and driving in three runs in a win over Mississippi Delta.

"Nick is a versatile outfielder who really is best suited in left or center field," Keller said. "He worked hard this summer in the offseason to get stronger and hone his left-handed swing. He has a true dedication to the academic side of his career and has always balanced that side of things well. Nick is passionate about the game, and his will to win is contagious. He will do good thing at LSU Shreveport, and no success he has will come as a surprise to us. Brandon has a good tradition of putting out some really solid players. This is just another in their line of success."

Brody Swindle — Jacksonville State Gamecocks (NCAA Division I)

The left-handed pitcher from Fairhope, Ala., went 3-5 with a 5.83 ERA as a freshman. He had 56 strikeouts in 46.1 innings of work, with a 10-strikeout game in five innings of work during an 11-1 win over Coastal Alabama-East.

"The Gamecocks are getting a good one here," Keller said. "Brody has good makeup and full three-pitch mix that can make him a tough customer on the mound. He blossomed last year especially in the second half for us. He's another Alabama high school product that comes from a winning tradition at Bayside Academy, Brody is used to winning. I think the vision set forth by Jacksonville St pitching coach Adam Everett, and where they want to go, is what sold him there. He recently climbed into the low 90s on the mound, and his control of the strike zone gets better every day. I'm very happy for him and his family."

Cade Mattison — Memphis Tigers (NCAA Division I)

The right-handed pitcher from Hattiesburg made only one appearance before a freak injury to his pitching hand off the field cut his season short. He had one strikeout in one inning.

"We are super excited about this one," Keller said. "Coach (Matt) Riser and his staff are getting a real steal here. After missing last year, Cade committed to pitching in the summer in the Cal Ripken League. He came back and turned a few heads. He is a Lamar Christian alumni, and they ought to be real proud. He had a velocity jump and refined his secondary pitches. I think he is another one of those guys that was just sold on the vision and direction Memphis was going. Cade is one of those kids that every time you turn around, he is putting in the extra work it takes to reach his goals."

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