MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State baseball coach Jay Sorg has announced signing two talented high school seniors to National Letters of Intent for the 2012 season. Pitcher Blake Smith (Lexington, Ky.) and third baseman Kane Sweeney (Belleville, Ill.) signed National Letters of Intent Monday.
Right-handed pitcher Smith finished an impressive junior season at LaFayette High School with a 3-2 record, a 1.63 ERA and three complete games. He was also ranked nationally by Perfect Game scouting services with 7.2 strikeouts per seven innings.
“We are excited to sign Blake. He has an electric fast arm that allows him to run his fastball into the lower 90s,” said Sorg. “He fills up the strike zone with all his pitches. His breaking ball is sharp and he can play right now. He is a young senior and we see a tremendous upside as he continues to grow into his body. We know he has been well coached in both high school and summer ball. He should be ready to go for us in the fall.”
Smith is looking forward to the opportunity to join the Eagles next season.
“I am excited to sign with such a great university and cannot wait to get started next year in helping coach Sorg and the Eagles along in their building process,” said Smith. “Morehead State is a great fit for me academically, athletically and socially.”
Joining Blake on the field next fall will be talented hitting third baseman Kane Sweeney. Sweeney hit 16 home runs and had 64 RBI between high school and summer ball this year. He was also recognized with first team all-conference and all-area awards during his sophomore and junior seasons.
“Kane is a big, strong, physical left-handed hitter with quick hands,” said Sorg. “We project him to be a middle of the order hitter for our club with high power and RBI production."
Sweeney received honors in dual sports during his junior season, receiving all-conference, all-state and all-area mentions in both basketball and baseball.
“He has a toughness and competitiveness that we are looking for in our RBI guys. He is going to have a great career here,” explained Sorg.
Sweeney said that Morehead State University was the right fit for his athletic aspirations.
“I had more of a connection here with the coaches than with any other programs I visited,” stated Sweeney. “I want to help lead the team to a top 25 ranking, regional championship and the opportunity to compete for the College World Series.”
Sorg is excited about these and future signings. He attributes the team’s recruiting success to the efforts of assistant coaches Jason Neal and Dillon Lawson.
“I want to especially thank coaches Neal and Lawson for their hard work. They have spent countless hours on the road and on the phone,” stated Sorg. “I have said before that Jason is one of the best recruiting coordinators in the country. It is just a matter of time until he is properly recognized on the national stage. Dillon is a proven up and comer who has been a major addition to our program. Our program is indebted to them both.”
