Tuesday, June 20, 2000

Johnson City, Tenn. -- The East Tennessee State University athletic department announced today that Brandon Cross (Bluff City, Tenn.) has signed a National Letter of Intent to join head coach Tony Skole's Buccaneer baseball program.

Cross will transfer to ETSU from Walters State Junior College where he hit .463 in two seasons. Cross led the nation in hitting during his freshman season with a .519 batting average, while recording five home runs and 62 RBIs. He earned Second Team All-America honors in 1999.

The second baseman hit .408 in 1999-2000 with seven home runs and 52 RBIs. He earned All-Region honors following last season.

"We are very excited to have a player of Brandon's ability and work ethic join our program," Skole said. "Brandon can swing the bat and will add much needed punch to our lineup. We look for Brandon to make an immediate contribution to our success."

Cross joins Justin Adams (Kingsport, Tenn.), Bryan Crouse (Morristown, Tenn.), Matt Hensley (Knoxville, Tenn.), Josh Kite (Greeneville, Tenn.), Rickey Luttrell (Knoxville, Tenn.), Donnie Sharp (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) and Scott Rose (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) in the 2000 recruiting class.