November 20, 2009

BULLDOG BASEBALL ANNOUNCES EARLY SIGNING CLASS OF EIGHT TO NLIs FOR THE 2011 SEASON 

SMITHFIELD, R.I.  - Bryant University baseball and head coach Jamie Pinzino are pleased to announce the eight student-athletes who have committed to joining the Bulldogs for the 2011 season.

"We are very pleased to have these student-athletes as part of the Bryant Baseball program," said Pinzino. "They have excelled both academically and athletically at the high school level, and we look forward to them being a big part of our success as we continue to establish ourselves at the DI level."   Here is a look at the eight future Bulldogs:

Jon Cohen                    LHP      L/L      5'9,170                   Norwalk, CT/Norwalk HS
Cohen brings composure and competitiveness to the mound, along with good command of his pitches.  As a junior, the left-hander finished with a 6-1 record, an ERA of 3.41 and 33 strikeouts.  He was named to the All-Area team, and was also chosen as a Connecticut Junior Select All-Star.  Cohen spent this past summer pitching for the Bayside Yankees in New York.

Evan Comeau               RHP     R/R      6'0,180                Marblehead, MA/Marblehead HS
A competitive right-handed pitcher with a strong fastball and power breaking ball, Comeau posted a 7-1 record as a junior, along with an impressive 2.20 ERA and 69 strikeouts over 51 innings pitched.  He was named team MVP as well as a Northeast Conference and Salem News All-Star.  Comeau is also a standout football player, and is a Senior Captain on this year's squad.

Bryan Menduke            LHP      L/L      6'0,185              Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills HS
Menduke is a left-handed pitcher with a good fastball and lots of upside.  He enjoyed a breakout junior year in which he finished with a 5-1 record.  Menduke's 0.98 ERA in 2009 was the second lowest all-time at his high school.  He also plays soccer, and is an Honor Roll student at Indian Hills.

Ryan Moore                  RHP     R/R      6'1,185                Wallingford, CT/Sheehan HS
An athletic right-handed pitcher with a hard, live fastball, Moore has the potential to have an immediate impact on the Bulldogs' program.  His competitiveness and command helped him to a 7-4 record as a junior.  He posted an ERA of 1.50 with 66 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched, and was named team MVP as well as All-Academic in the Southern Connecticut Conference.  Moore spent this past summer pitching for the Connecticut Angels. 

Ed Rooney                   OF        L/R      5'11,175              Merion Station, PA/Friends Central
A versatile defensive player with leadoff-type ability at the plate, Rooney will spend most of his time in the outfield for the Bulldogs.  He runs very well, and has an advanced approach as a hitter.  Through his junior season, Rooney has a career batting average of .400 (64-161) to go along with 44 RBI and 45 stolen bases.  He has been named team captain for the 2010 season.  Rooney played for the Philadelphia Senators this past summer.

Craig Schlitter              RHP     R/R      6'0,185             Guilford, CT/Guilford HS
A big, strong right-handed pitcher with good mound presence and a fluid delivery, Schlitter has the ability to make a big impact on the Bulldogs' pitching staff.  His strong fastball and tight breaking ball helped him to a 4-2 record during a junior year in which he struck out 42 hitters over 36 innings of work.  He has received academic honors as both a junior and senior at Guilford High.  Schlitter spent this past summer pitching for the Connecticut Owls.

Dan St. George   SS/CF/RHP   R/R      5'11,180             Shelton, CT/Shelton HS
St. George is a two-way player who will help the Bulldogs both at the plate and on the mound.  He has played centerfield for his high school team and shortstop for the Connecticut Bombers in the summer.  He brings a great leadership presence to the field.  St. George received numerous accolades including All Conference, All Valley and a selection to the Connecticut Junior Select team.  He is a member of the National Honor Society.

Colin Shepard              C          R/R      5'10,175        Boxford, MA/Masconomet HS
Shepard is an advanced defensive catcher with soft, quick hands and a strong arm.  As a junior, he was named to the Cape Ann All-League Team thanks to a .365 batting average with 18 RBI and 5 Homeruns.  This coming spring, Shepard will captain a Masconomet team looking for its third straight Cape Ann League championship.  He has been an honor roll student throughout his entire career, and received Masconomet's Scholar Athlete Award in 2008 and 2009.