Thomas Announces Addition of Eight to 2011 Squad

AIKEN, S.C. – USC Aiken head baseball coach Kenny Thomas announced the addition of eight players to the 2011 USC Aiken baseball team on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.

The eight newcomers feature three players from the state of Georgia, two players from South Carolina, one from Michigan, one from Florida and one from Kentucky. Out of the eight newcomers, five join the Pacers out of the junior college ranks, while three join the nationally-renowned USC Aiken baseball program out of the prep ranks.

“I think that with what we signed during the early signing period, the talent we have coming back and these eight newcomers, we have the chance to be a really strong baseball team,” remarked Coach Thomas. “These eight players give us a little bit of everything: offense, defense and speed.

“More than in the past, I feel like this class more so than those in the past will be able to contribute immediately. That is just the type of talent we are bringing in.”

Tyler Bourdo and Teddy Leverett come to USC Aiken out of Truett-McConnell. The duo is from the CSRA as Bourdo played at Augusta Christian, while Leverett was a member of the Evans High School baseball team.

A middle infielder, Bourdo hit .385 with 52 RBIs and 52 runs scored for the Bears in the 2010 season. He collected 18 extra-base knocks on nine doubles, seven home runs and two triples.

“Bourdo gives us stability in the middle infield,” said Thomas. “I expect him to fight for a starting position immediately.”

An outfielder, Leverett hit .391 with 58 runs scored and 42 RBIs. Leverett acquired 26 extra-base hits last season on a team-best 17 doubles, seven home runs and two triples.

“Leverett brings good speed to go along with the ability to hit,” noted Thomas. “He is a good defensive outfielder who has all the intangibles to compete right away.”

A native of Oviedo, Fla., Stephen Bellantoni joins the USC Aiken baseball program out of Lake Sumter Community College. Last year at Lake Sumter, Bellantoni hit .322 with 39 runs scored and 23 RBIs. He had 15 stolen bases.

“Stephen can absolutely fly,” said Thomas. “He is an outfielder who is a great defensive player.  This is important because he can flat out cover some ground in the outfield. We feel like we have a very good player in Stephen Bellantoni.”

Tim Taylor comes to the USC Aiken after two seasons at USC Sumter. The Columbia, S.C. native is described by Thomas as a “hitting outfielder.” In 2010 for the Fire Ants, Taylor hit .392 with 39 RBIs and 43 runs scored. Taylor collected 13 doubles and four home runs for USC Sumter last season.

“Tim Taylor has been a great player for USC Sumter for two years,” remarked Thomas. “Not only is he a good offensive player, but he can also play some defense. I feel like he has the tools to be a great hitter in the Peach Belt Conference. We also feel that he was a key part of our recruiting process. We have speed in the outfield, but we needed a bat. Tim Taylor fills that need for us.”

A strong late signing for the Pacers, Andrew Jones is an outfielder who Thomas describes as a huge coup so late in the game for USC Aiken. Originally signed by UNC Asheville out of high school, Jones decided to play for the Statesman of Lincoln Trail after a coaching change at UNCW.

A local product out of Swansea High School, Jonathan Betancourt is described quite favorably by Thomas “as quite possibly one of the best infielders we have ever acquired.” A middle infielder, who specializes at shortstop, Betancourt, has great power for a smaller player according to Thomas.

“Jonathan just has great hands,” mused Thomas. “I believe that all his intangibles will allow him to push for playing time immediately.”

Ben Black is a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher out of Lakeside High School. The Martinez, Ga. native according to Thomas “has the potential to pitch very early in his career. He is one of the top pitchers in the CSRA and we are lucky to have him.”

The Pacer coaching staff reached up north to nab high school standout Nolan Wilson. A native of Taylor, Mich., the Western High School product gives the Pacers another strong catcher.

“Nolan Wilson is a strong-armed catcher with a good body for the position,” said Thomas. “I personally believe that he has all the tools to be a big-time catcher at the college level. We saw him at a showcase and we were lucky that he wanted to come south.”

The eight newcomers join a USC Aiken baseball program that has won 30 or more games in each of the last 10 seasons, while also having played in five of the last six NCAA Division II Tournaments.