University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Baseball Signs Nine New Bulldogs to Bolster Roster
06.27.2016 | Baseball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville baseball coach Scott Friedholm and his staff have announced the signings of nine incoming freshmen as the team's 2016 signing class, announced today.
Three of the incoming Bulldogs prepped in the state of North Carolina, while the class includes two players from both Florida and New Jersey, along with student-athletes from Connecticut and Georgia.
“We are very excited to have these student-athletes join our baseball family. We feel that most of our needs were addressed and look forward to watching these guys grow, both personally and athletically,” Friedholm said.
“I would like to recognize assistant coaches Jonathan Johnston and Chris Bresnahan for their tremendous efforts in putting this class together. They not only made sure we got good players, but great people that will make the UNC Asheville community proud. We look forward to getting to work in August.”
SIGNEES:
Blake Brown – Right-Handed Pitcher | 6'1, 170
Hometown: Dallas, North Carolina
High School: North Gaston High School
-Played for coach Jesse Martin at North Gaston and competes in the summer with the On Deck O's…an All-Conference pitcher at North Gaston, he was ranked as the No. 8 right-handed pitcher in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game…Brown has been chosen as a Pisgah Scholar at UNC Asheville.
Greg Gasparro – Left-Handed Pitcher | 6'0, 182
Hometown: Pennington, New Jersey
High School: Hopewell Valley Central High School
-Played for coach Ken Harrison at Hopewell Valley Central and competes in the summer with the Diamond Jacks out of Flemington, N.J.… ranked as the No. 8 pitcher in New Jersey (and No. 201 the nation) by Perfect Game and the No. 49 overall player in New Jersey by Prep Baseball Report. He was 14-4 during his career with a 0.96 ERA and 164 K's in 116 IP...hit .416 in his career at HVHS...CVC Player of the Year...1st Team All-State
Joe Gruszka – Catcher | 5'11, 185
Hometown: Fayetteville, Georgia
High School: Starrs Mill High School
-In addition to his prep action at Starrs Mill, he competes in the summer with the Home Plate Chilidogs…ranked as the No. 20 catcher in the state of Georgia by Perfect Game...an All-County selection, he hit .485 as a junior...an All-County selection in both 2015 and 2016, was also named 4-AAAAA All-Region in 2016...a 2015 Perfect Game Underclassman All-American
Brandon Harris – Right-Handed Pitcher | 6'0, 190
Hometown: Plant City, Florida
High School: Strawberry Crest High School
-In addition to his prep action at Strawberry Crest, he competes in the summer with Ostinger's Baseball Academy…ranked as the No. 44 right-handed pitcher in the state of Florida by Perfect game and the No. 147 overall player in the state of Florida by Prep Baseball Report…a four-year varsity letterman, he was a First Team All-Conference selection as a senior after leading the team with 79 strikeouts, tossing three complete games and four shutouts.
Kole Harris – Right-Handed Pitcher | 5'10, 170
Hometown: Summerfield, Florida
High School: The Villages Charter School
-In addition to his prep action at The Villages, he competes in the summer with Gatorball Baseball Club…ranked as the #124 player overall in the state of Florida by Perfect Game…was a member of the 5A All-State Team and was named Daily Sun Athlete of the Year…ended his senior season with a 0.00 ERA 47 strikeouts on the mound.
Brandon Lankford – Third Baseman | 6'2, 210
Hometown: Mocksville, North Carolina
High School: Davie County High School
-Played for coach Bobby Byerly at Davie County and competes in the summer with the Dirtbags.…ranked as the No. 5 third baseman in North Carolina by Perfect Game and the No. 45 overall player in North Carolina (Perfect Game)…two-time All-CPC Conference selection.
Tyler Serricchio – Catcher | 6'0, 185
Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
High School: The Canterbury School
-In addition to his prep action at The Canterbury School, he competes in the summer for the East Coast Clippers…an All-WNEPBL selection in 2015, he was named All-FCIAC in 2014…named baseball MVP in both 2015 and 2016, Serricchio was the captain of the baseball and football teams.
David Stowers – Outfielder/Catcher | 6'1, 180
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
High School: Southlake Christian Academy
-Played for coach Mike Causey at Southlake Christian and competes in the summer with the DeMarini Stars.… ranked as the No. 11 catcher in North Carolina, he was named All-MAC Conference in 2015 and 2016…member of the 2015 Perfect Game WWBA All-Tournament team and a Rawlings Atlantic Region All-Region Honorable Mention selection…2016 Team MVP for Southlake Christian Football and Baseball.
Chris Troost – Middle Infielder | 5'9, 175
Hometown: Medford, New Jersey
High School: St. Augustine High School
-Played for coach Mike Bylone at St. Ausustine and competes in the summer with All Out Baseball.… ranked as the No. 9 second baseman in New Jersey by Perfect Game and the No. 39 overall player in New Jersey by Prep Baseball Report…a 2016 All-Northeast Region selectee.
