Baseball inks seven

The Jacksonville State baseball program has signed seven players for the 2011 season, including a set of twins and a Calhoun County product.

Oxford pitcher Taylor Sparks and Pelham twins Michael and Andrew Bishop will be joined by JUCO first baseman Ben Waldrip, Pelham pitcher-first baseman Trae Santos; Southside pitcher-outfielder Bradley Raulston; and Smyrna, Ga., pitcher-infielder Travis Stout.

“As we went into the recruiting process for 2011, we had some positions that we felt like would need immediate attention,” Case said in a statement released by the athletic department. “We feel very confident that we addressed our needs and we expect these young men to all have an impact within our program.”

Signees (stats are from last season)
Ben Waldrip (1B, 6-6, 225, Medford, Mass./St. Anselm College, .394, 3 HRs, 27 RBIs)
Trae Santos (RHP/1B, 6-1, 237, Pelham HS, 6-1 record, 53 Ks)
Michael Bishop (OF/1B, 6-2, 180, Pelham HS, .432, 8 HRs)
Bradley Raulston (RHP/OF, 6-1, 210, Southside HS, .347, 7 HRs, 37 RBIs, 9-2, 94 Ks)
Andrew Bishop (INF, 5-11, 175, Pelham HS, .304, 5 doubles, 13 stolen bases)
Taylor Sparks (LHP, 6-0, 175, Oxford HS, 70 Ks in 40 IP)
Travis Stout (RHP/INF, 5-10, 175, Smyrna, Ga./Holy Innocents HS, 61 Ks in 51 IP)

The signing announcement comes on the same day Case confirmed to The Star that junior pitcher Jason Zylstra has been dismissed from the team for violating team policy. Zylstra was arrested on Nov. 12 on DUI and open container charges.

The Gamecocks are awaiting word on a date with Kennesaw State before releasing their 2010 schedule. The slate is expected to include the first game with Auburn since 1994.