Five JUCO Players Join Georgia College Baseball

by Tyler Peck, sports informatin graduate assistant

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. - The Georgia College & State University baseball program and head coach Tom Carty announce the signing of five JUCO transfers for the 2011 class.

Jim Moreland - OF - 6-1 - 195 - Suwanee, Ga./Gordon College

Moreland hit .302 with 13 doubles, two triples and two home runs last season at Gordon College. The outfielder also had 37 RBI and 21 stolen bases.

Carty Comments - "Jimmy fits our offensive philosophy and will bring some much needed left handed hitting to our lineup next year. He is a versatile defensive outfielder and plays hard on both sides of the ball." 

Heine Rivera - OF - 6-3 - 200 - Fayetteville, Ga./Middle Georgia College

Last season Rivera hit .280 with six homers and 13 stolen bases at Middle Georgia.

Carty Comments - "Much like Moreland, Rivera is also a player we really liked out of high school and one of the best JUCO outfielders in the state.  Heine is super athletic and his game only continues to get better.  He can run and hit with power.  Heine is a strong athletic outfielder from Middle Georgia College in the mold of former Bobcat Casey Cullen and current Bobcat Shawn Ward who both played at Middle Georgia.  Heine is a 6.7 runner and a quality defensive outfielder who can play all three outfield positions."

Tanner Funk - IF - 6-0 -185 - Kearney, Mo./Johnson County Community College (Kan.)

Funk hit .390 with 19 doubles, four three baggers and two round trippers in 2009 helping Johnson County to a 43-14 mark.

Carty Comments - "Tanner comes from a quality junior college program in Johnson County where former Bobcat Daniel Heflin played.  He is a quality left side infielder who brings a physical presence at the plate.  He will fit very well in our offensive system."

Josh Young - OF - 6-2 - 180 - Lake Havasu, Ariz./Arizona Western College

Young batted .290 with six doubles, three triples and one home run last season.

Carty Comments - "We are really excited about having Josh in our program.  He plays in a junior college league that uses wood bats and will only continue to develop as a hitter.   He is a dual threat guy who can steal a base and hit with some power.  He will definitely fill a void in our outfield next season."

Luke McKay - RHP/OF - 5-11 - 180 - Augusta, Kan./Cloud County Community College

McKay hit .338 and led the team with 12 doubles. On the pitching side, McKay went 2-0 with six saves as the closer.

Carty Comments - "Luke is a legitimate two way player and will have a chance to fill some big shoes in the closers' role for the Bobcats next season.  He has a power arm and the experience to come in and contribute right away at the plate and on the mound."

"This junior college class is a very versatile and extremely athletic class," Carty stated. "This is probably the best class in my five years here at GCSU.  Coach Zeke Mitchem our recruiting coordinator, and our staff spent many man hours on the road and on the phone working to put this class together.  The 2010 Bobcats have eight senior position players who have major roles on the field.  These five young men will help fill the void left by those seniors."

Georgia College hits the field Friday, Feb. 5 with a doubleheader against University of Tampa at John Kurtz Field.

The GCSU Department of Athletics, winners of the 2008-09 PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, GCSU prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the Bobcats' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at Twitter.com username GCSUSID for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCSUBobcats.com to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GCSU Athletics Hall of Fame.