The Virginia Sports Complex Indoor Workout had 80 players on hand, and there were a lot of impressive players on hand from 2013, 2012, 2011 and some unbelievable 2014 players. We will break out several prospects over the next few days. Matt Kianka, pictured left, and Mike Wood, pictured right. impressed. They will both sport the Orange and Green in 2010.
THE MICHAEL GILL CANES ERA STARTS THIS WEEKEND AT USA
Oct 2nd - Michael Gill is considerd by many as the top player in Texas in the 2011 class. He lands in Raleigh, NC Friday night to make his Canes debut Saturday morning at 8:30 at the USA National Training Complex. Gill batting .478 last year as a sophomore in a 5A league in Texas, helping his team to a runner-up finish in the Texas State Championships. Canes Coach Jeff Petty stated "Our kids are fired up to get a chance to play with Gill. Michael makes us better right away and adds yet another top notch player to our organization. Gill has been a part of 9 national championship travel teams since 2004. He is a winner and we can not wait to get him with our guys. On the mound he is one of the most polished pitchers in the 2011 class in the country." You can see Gill with the Canes the remainder of the fall and next summer in 2010.
15U NORTH CANES WIN DYNAMIC WORLD SERIES
The 15U North Canes won the 15U Dynamic World Series at Virginia Tech University in a close game against a very talented 15U Central Canes team. The North Canes went 6-0 on the weekend scoring 46 runs while only allowing 18. The Canes beat the Carolina Predators 9-6 to get that always important 1st win of the tournament. They then beat the Baltimore Wave 4-0, Elite Baseball Academy 8-0, Tarboro Tigers 8-0, Patriots of Nova 16-8, and then the 15U Central Canes 2-1 in a very competitive championship game. Canes Head Coach Rob Younce stated "I could not be more pleased with the efforts of these young men this weekend. They played extremely hard and I could not be more happy for them in winning this championship. They have worked hard all summer and it has payed off. They deserve it.
Pictured are: Top Row (L-R)- Head Coach Rob Younce, Coach Steve McCloud, Christian Younce, Alec Hulmes, Kyle Moore, Hunter Higgerson, Joe Lane, Stephen Godfrey, Coach David "Soup" Campbell
Bottom Row (L-R) - Shane Johnsonbaugh, Randy Rechkemmer, Evan McCloud, Matt Campbell, Brandon Lowe, Bart Gumpert, and Jake Austin
NORTH 16 PHENOM CAM CAPELL COMMITS TO GAMECOCKS
Tuesday - July 28th, North Canes 16 Outfielder/Catcher and left handed hitting phenom, Cameron Capell, just made a verbal commitment to the University of South Carolina and will be sporting Garnet and Black for the Gamecocks. He is going to play for one of the top college coaching staffs in the country under Ray Tanner, Chad Holbrook, Mark Calvi and Sammy Esposito. Canes Coach Jeff Petty states "Cam is a special talent and one of the most clutch players I have ever coached. I believe Cam has ice in his veins when he steps into the batter's box regardless of the situation...Even with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th in the WWB National Semifinals. None of it phases Cam and he comes through time and again in the biggest of situations. Cam has arm strength. He can run and he can really, REALLY hit. We are excited for Cam and his family. You can see Cam with the National Champion Hurricanes this fall as well as the summer and fall of 2010."
2011 NORTH CANES JAKE CAVE COMMITS TO LSU TIGERS
July 22nd - Hampton Christian 2011 Product Left Handed Pitcher /Firstbaseman/Outfielder and North Hurricanes phenom, Jake Cave, recently made a verbal commitment to Head Coach Paul Maineri and the 2009 National Champions LSU Tigers. Canes Coach Jeff Petty states "I am very happy for Jake. He is one of the best players in the history of our program and is one of the top players in the country. I will go on record to say that he is an ever better kid than he is player. He is a pleasure to be around and is as fierce a competitor you will find. He was a catalyst in our run to the World Wood Bat National Championship last week in East Cobb. Congrats on behalf of the entire Hurricane family."
NATIONAL PITCHING ASSOCIATION'S JAMIE EVANS SHARES HIS THOUGHTS
GAMECOCK COMMITT ERIK PAYNE HAS BIG WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS ON BIGSPUR
Gamecock Commit Erik Payne has huge offensive weekend. Write up on www.thebigspur.com
NORTH CANES RHP SEAN FITZGERALD TO NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
McLean High School stand out Right Handed Pitcher and North Canes product Sean Fitzgerald recently made a verbal committment to the Fighting Irish. Fitzgerald plays his high school baseball for Head Coach John Thomas. Coach Thomas runs a good program in Northern Virginia. Fitzgerald's record was 8-1 with a 1.3 ERA. Canes Coach Jeff Petty says "Sean is a big time competitor. He has ice in his veins on the mound. I would run him out there against any team in the country and, with his command of 3 pitches and sink, he can win at any level He is a fine person that comes from a first class family. I am happy for Sean and his family. Sean's dad is Notre Dame grad so this is truly a special time for him and his family as well as the Canes program." Sean will be with the Canes the rest of the summer and fall.
NORTH CANES RIGHT HANDER TYLER COSTELLO COMMITS TO RADFORD
North Canes Right Hander Tyler Costello recently made a verbal commitment to Radford University and Head Coach Joe Raccuia. Canes Coach Jeff Petty says "Tyler was recruited by a lot of schools but in the end Radford is where he felt he wanted to play college baseball. He is going to play for an outstanding staff and great up and coming baseball program. Without a doubt, Tyler is one of the best pitchers in all of Virginia and has pitched some big games for us. We expect him to pitch even more big games for us this fall. Congrats to Tyler and his family! "
NORTH CANES UTILITY JOEY CUJAS COMMITS TO VCU RAMS
North Canes Infielder/Ooutfielder Joey Cujas recently made a verbal commitment to the VCU Rams and Head Coach Paul Keyes. Canes Coach Jeff Petty states "Joey is one of the top hitters in all of Virginia. He proved it on a daily basis playing with us this summer. In the World Wood Bat playoffs, he REALLY showed it by turning around a 94mph fastball from Peter Tago, an Aflac All-American, in the playoffs. That ball went 400+ feet. Joey is an even better kid with outstanding makeup. Congrats to Joey and his family."
NORTH CANES CATCHER CHRIS AYERS COMMITS TO VCU RAMS
North Canes Catcher and Manchester High School product Chris Ayers recently made a verbal commitment to the VCU Rams and Head Coach Paul Keyes. Canes Coach Jeff Petty states "Chris is one of the top players in all of Virginia. He can swing it with the best of them. Serious power and has a ton of arm strength from behind the plate. I have watched Chris improve so much this summer as a defender behind the plate and, as always, he hit for high average and power. Congrats to Chris and his family."
DYNAMIC WORLD SERIES AT EAST CAROLINA
DUE TO RAIN THE 17-U AGE DIVISION NEVER MADE IT OUT
OF THE QUARTERFINAL ROUNDS
NVTBL RED AND SOUTH CANES ARE 2009 CO-CHAMPIONS OF
THE DYNAMIC 16-U WORLD SERIES
NORTH CANES LHP KYLE CROCKETT COMMITS TO UVA CAVALIERS
April 29th - North Canes LHP and Poquoson Product Kyle Crockett has committed to The University of Virginia Cavaliers. North Canes Coach Jeff Petty stated "I am happy for Kyle, and his family. Kyle has been a hurricane for 2 years now, and we are looking forward to having him in the summer and fall of 2009 as one of our top arms. Kyle is a competitor, he has won a ton of games in his high school career at Poquoson, and has always been someone that has been very reliable for us as well. You can see Kyle with the Canes at the 17-U level in 2009!
NORTH HURRICANE JOE MANTIPLY DRAFTED BY THE NEW YORK METS
Norrth Hurricane Left Handed Pitcher and Tunstall product Joe Mantiply recently was drafted by the New York Mets. Mantiply pitched the summer of 2008 for the canes, and also started game 2 for the Canes in Jupiter, Florida last fall.
NORTH HURRICANE BLAKE HAUSER DRAFTED BY CLEVELAND INDIANS
2009 RHP Blake Hauser who attends Manchester High School in Chesterfield, VA was taken in the 25th round by the Cleveland Indians today. Hauser spent his summer months last year with the North Hurricanes.
2010 SOUTH CANES RHP RICKY HOLDEN COMMITS TO UNCW
2010 South Hurricane and Richmond County High School RHP Ricky Holden has committed to play baseball for the University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks and Head Coach Mark Scalf. South Canes Coach Doug Collins stated "Ricky is a tremendous talent. He is a quality pitcher that is only going to continue to develop and get better. He has a fastball that sits in the upper 80's with a good breaking ball and a good feel for his changeup. When his slider is on he has the ability to dominate right handed hitters. This is a quality pickup for UNCW. Ricky is a fine young man who comes from a fine family. I am excited about this opportunity for him."
FORMER HURRICANE CODY WHEELER MAKES TEAM USA
Former Hurricane member and Spotsylvania High School product Cody Wheeler recently made the Collegiate USA National Baseball Team. Wheeler was named Big-South Conference pitcher of the year in 2009. Wheeler is sporting a 16-1 record on the mound in his 2 year career at Coastal Carolina University under Head Coach Gary Gilmore.
SOUTH CANES 2010 SS DILLON BASS COMMITS TO UNC WILMINGTON
June 16 - South Hurricane slick fielding SS Dillon Bass has committed to play college baseball for the University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks. Bass plays baseball at South Johnston High School under Head Coach Keith Durham and with the South Canes in the summer and fall. South Canes Coach Doug Collins stated "I am really excited for Dillon to have this great opportunity. UNCW has an outstanding baseball program and they have just added another quality baseball player and a super young man. Dillon has one of the smoothest set of hands you will see in the middle infield and one of the best work ethics I have seen. This young man really plays hard and UNCW is going to love him." You can see Dillon with the Hurricanes this summer and fall.
3 YEAR HURRICANE ETHAN CARTER VIRGINIA GATORADE
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
3 Year Hurricane pitcher and Menchville High School (Newport News, VA) Ethan Carter was recently named Virginia Gatroade Player of The Year. Carter also pitched the Virginia AAA State championship game a week ago, and got the victory leading his team to the AAA State Title
ETHAN CARTER 3 YEAR HURRICANE MEMBER NAMED TO 1ST
TEAM PRE-SEASON LOUISVILLE SLUGGER ALL AMERICAN TEAM
3 time Hurricane member Ethan Carter who is currently locked in to play the summer of 2009 with the Senior Canes depending on how the draft in June shapes up was named to the 2009 1st Team Louisville Pre-Season All America High School Team. Ethan is pictured left throwing a pitch in Dodger stadium last August in the 2008 Aflac All American game that was nationally broadcasted. Ethan Carters record for the Hurricanes in 3 years was 19-1 with 4 saves. Canes Coach Jeff Petty stated "Ethan has made an everlastingimpression on our program forever. The things that Ethan did for our program, the championships he pitched, the way he represented our program in all-star events thru out the country will always have him pegged as a class act. I cant wait to watch him pitch at the next level!"
MATOACA 2010 STAR AUSTIN KILBOURNE BACK WITH CANES IN 2009
Feb 11th - Matoaca 2010 Outfielder - Right Handed Pitcher Austin Kilbourne will be back with the Canes in 2009. Canes Coach Jeff Petty had this to say about Austin returning to the Canes "Austin is a freakish athlete. He has the build of a 22 year old big leaguer. There aren't many 17 year old kids walking the streets with his strength, and raw power. All this is translating onto the baseball field more and more every day! Austin loves the game, and loves to help his team win. I would say he has one of the top outfield arms in the country in the 2010 class. He runs well, hits for average, and power. Kilbourne is being recruited by a lot of schools, and we are happy to have him back! Austin will be with the Canes in Winston-Salem June 6-7 at the Golden Spikes Classic!
SCOTLAND COUNTY 2012 STAR CURT BRITT BACK WITH CANES IN 2009
Feb 7th - Scotland County 2012 Right Handed Pitcher/Corner Infielder Curt Britt back at it with canes in 2009. Britt will be playing on the South Canes in 2009. Canes Coach Doug Collins stated "Curt is one of the top 2012 players in the state of North Carolina with out a shadow of a doubt. His fastball in recent workouts has been clocked in the 86 too 88 mph range, and has shown some big potential with his stick as well. We are delighted to make Curt a Hurricane for the next 3 years!" Canes skipper Jeff Petty added "Curt is a baseball player plain and simple. He has been around it his whole life, and knows what it takes to get it done. I saw him shut down 18-U showcase teams last year as an 8th grader! WOW! Its exciting when you can watch a kid like this progress over the next couple of years, and its even more exciting b/c I know how hungry he is. Curt is going to be a horse for us for the next couple of years!" You can see Britt in June with the Canes!
PAUL VI PHENOM RIGHT HANDER TYLER COSTELLO BACK WITH CANES IN
09
Feb 9th - Paul VI Phenom Right Hander Tyler Costtello will be wearing a canes uniform in 2009's summer and fall seasons, and will anchor the Canes pitching staff. Canes Coach Jeff Petty stated "Tyler is one of the best pitching prospects in the 2010 class that I have seen anywhere. This kid started a lot of big games for us last year, and had a lot of success. As a 2010 he was our game 1 started in Jupiter this past fall. He has the guts to beat anyone in the country, and that is one of his biggest assets his fierce competiveness. Tyler wouldn't be afraid to pitch vs the New York Yankees. He is just that kind of a kid, and we are very fortunate to have him around, and he is a great guy for our younger pitchers in the program to watch and learn from. Ty has been clocked as high as 90 mph and his breaking ball has been clocked as high as 80 mph. BIG TIME PROSPECT! We are very excited about our staff this year, and Tyler is a huge piece of the puzzle" You can see Costello with the Canes June 6-7 in Winston-Salem, NC!
2011 NORTH 16U CANES RIGHTY DANIEL GOSSETT COMMITS TO CLEMSON
February 2 - North Canes 16U Phenom Pitcher and JF Byrnes High School (SC) Product Daniel Gossett has verbally committed to Clemson University. Daniel will complete his sophomore season with Brynes before joining the Canes in June. North 16U Coach Mike Myers stated "I am thrilled to be able to coach Daniel this summer. Daniel is the kind ofplayer that makes everyone on the team better. He is extremely positive with his teammates and he loves to compete! He will be one of the leaders of a very deep Canes 16U pitching staff. Clemson got themselves a great baseball player and an even better person." Congrats Daniel!
GAMECOCK COMMIT ERIK PAYNE BACK WITH CANES
2010 Mills Godwin infielder Erik Payne, and South Carolina Gamecock Commit is back with the Canes in 2009. Canes Coach Jeff Petty stated "Erik is a front line bat in the 2010 class in the United States. He can swing the bat with anyone in this class. He has proven himself time and time again with us this past fall enough to win over numerous college coaches leading up to him choosing South Carolina over various other schools. We are excited as a staff to have Erik in our line-up. Defensively he is valuable in various spots as well. He will play a lot of second base, third base, and left field for us this year. He is versatile enough to play all 3 positions very well, and his bat plays every day. Payne has the make-up that we are all about. He is all business on the field, plays with confidence, and has the best make-up off the field. Payne is a competitor, and will run threw a brick wall if thats what it takes for his team to win. I am personally looking forward to coaching Erik again this summer, and fall!" The North Canes open up in Winston-Salem, NC June 6-7.
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