DAHLONEGA, GA  - North Georgia College & State University head baseball coach Tom Cantrell has announced the signing of eight players for the 2011 season during the NCAA’s recent early signing period, bringing six freshman and two junior college transfers to be apart of the Saints baseball program.

“The 2011 class should be one the deepest in the history of our program,” head coach Tom Cantrell said of his eight signees. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome these eight individuals to North Georgia to be apart of something special in the coming years.”

The two collegiate transfers include Jacob Phillips from Snead State Junior College, and Bryant Kerns from Gordon Junior College. The six high school seniors that will make their way to Dahlonega next fall are Reid Schneider from Dominion Christian, Eason Spivey from West Laurens, Andrew Gordon from Lassister, Michael Head from North Hall, Cameron Crawford from Buford, and Ryan Turner from Alexander High School.

“We have an excellent mix of high school talent and junior college experience that should be able to step in and make in immediate impact following the 2010 season that will see the program graduate 10 seniors,” Cantrell said. "We have enjoyed spending time with these players and their families through the recruiting process and look forward to having them apart of the North Georgia tradition."

Head coach Tom Cantrell enters his 11th season at the helm of the Saints in 2010, posting an overall record of 407-219 during is tenure at North Georgia, while the team returns eight of nine starters in the field from a year ago.

North Georgia’s 50-game slate for the 2010 season opens February 5th, hosting Pfeiffer University for a three-game weekend series, while the regular season will wrap up in St. Augustine, Florida, taking on Flagler College for a trio of games.

Jacob Phillips, Snead State Junior College, RHP

Entering his second season as a member of the Snead State baseball team, Jacob Phillips was a conference starter his freshman year and will look to make an impact again this season on what should be one of Snead State’s best teams in recent history. Phillips played his prep ball at McEachern high School before making his first collegiate stop at the Alabama Junior College.

Bryant Kerns, Gordon Junior College, LHP

A member of the 2009 Gordon Junior College team, Kearns had an earned run average of 3.19, logging 59.1 innings of work while allowing 21 earned runs and holding opponents to a .261 batting average. He was named Junior Team Georgia in 2006, and the Region Pitcher of the Year in 2006 while at Jeff Davis High School. Kearns garnered Pre Season All-State honors in 2007 and First-Team All-Region in 2007.
 
Reid Schneider, Dominion Christian High School, SS

A member of the 2009 All-Region and All-State team, Reid Schneider was named a 2008-2009 NCSAA All-American following the 2009 season that saw him hit .557 with 44 hits, including 10 doubles, three triples and six home runs. He had 31 runs batted in, including a season-high five RBI against Holy Spirit Prep School.

Eason Spivey, West Laurens High School, C

A three-year varsity letterwinner entering his senior year of high school, Eason Spivey hit .375 with six home runs and 33 runs batted in with eight doubles in 31 games last season. He had a slugging percentage of .670 and an on base percentage of .463. Eason recorded 180 put outs from behind home plate and threw out 75 percent of base stealers. He was named the best defensive player as a freshman, and best offensive player as a junior, while being named All-Region following his sophomore and junior seasons. He was named All Middle Georgia and to the Georgia Dugout Club Top 100 as a junior.

Andrew Gordon, Lassiter High School, OF

A three-year varsity letterwinner entering his senior year of high school, Andrew Gordon hit .308 last season with five home runs, 16 runs batted in, an on base percentage of .360, and a slugging percentage of .564. He was a Gold Glove recipient in 2009 and was named to the Marietta Daily Journal “All-County Baseball” 2008 Honorable Mention. He was the winner of the 2008 CABA Home Run Derby at the East Cobb Baseball Complex with 19 home runs, and has been an honor student each of the last three years.

Michael Head, North Hall High School, C

An upcoming senior, Michael Head is a national student athlete and was named Who’s Who Among American High School Students. He was a National Renaissance Committee Member and a Peer-to-Peer Ambassador. He was a member of the North Hall Track & Field team for two season, a member of the Trojan’s football team for four years, and played soccer for three seasons.

Cameron Crawford, Buford High School, OF

A three-year letterwinner entering his senior season, Cameron Crawford was named to the Georgia Dugout Club Top 100 and is a three-year academic letterman. He was awarded the Presidents Education Award, and has been on the principles honor roll each of the last three years.

Ryan Turner, Alexander High School, RHP

A three-year letterwinner entering his senior season, Ryan Turner went 8-2 last season with a 3.79 earned run average. He posted an American Legion record of 9-1 with a 2.57 earned average and has been named to the Under Armour All-American Team for 2010. He was 1-0 with an ERA of 0.00 during his fall 2009 campaign with the Conyer A’s, giving him an overall record of 18-3 in all of 2009 with an earned run average under 3.00.