Friday, May 25, 2007

(May 25, 2007) - Head baseball coach Tony Skole announced Wednesday afternoon that junior college shortstop Chris Rankhorn (Gallatin, Tenn.) has signed a national letter of intent with ETSU.  Currently at Volunteer State, Rankhorn brings the Buccaneer signing class for the 2008 season to eight total players.

Rankhorn will provide some much needed production to the Buccaneer lineup after hitting .365 for Volunteer State last season, ranking second on the team with 14 doubles and leading the squad with 26 stolen bases in 27 attempts.

"We are very excited about the addition of Chris to next season's recruiting class," said Skole.  "Chris was one of the top junior college players in Tennessee this past season.  He is an exciting player who brings a lot to the table offensively.  He can dominate a game in many ways and he will definitely bring some excitement and production to our lineup."

Rankhorn joins an already crowded and stellar group of incoming players, as Skole and his staff signed seven players in the fall signing period.  Entering ETSU with Rankhorn next fall are Kennesaw, Ga. Native Josh Means, junior college transfers Nick Belcher and Dustin Plumlee as well as local products Bo Burton, Chas Byrne, Paul Hoilman and Derek Trent.

The eight players will be counted on to replace the Bucs' seven departed seniors in addition to the departed Joey McCown (2 2/3 IP, 10.12 ERA in 2007), Jon Stoudt (5 2/3 IP, 9.53 ERA), Todd Caldwell (2-2, 5.29 ERA), Anthony Biello (3 GP) and Tanner Moore (.288 batting average).

The highly touted class promises to help the Bucs improve on their disappointing 2007 finish.  Trent was the only junior high school All-American in the nation last season, Belcher was a key ingredient on Walters State's 2006 national championship team, and Burton, Byrne, Hoilman, Means and Plumlee have all dominated the opposition from the pitcher's mound in their careers.