Baseball: WVU Adds Five Recruits
June 03, 2003 09:41 AM | General
June 3, 2003
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| Van Zant |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University baseball coach Greg Van Zant announced today the signing of five baseball players for the 2004 season.
Giving the coach signatures were Travis McGrath, a right-handed pitcher from Hurricane, W.Va., Jarod McClure, a shortstop from Fairmont, W.Va., John Armenio, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman from Dix Hills, N.Y., Greg Beucher, a shortstop from Connellsville, Pa., and Brian Ensign an outfielder from Spencer, Ohio.
"We are very pleased with the five players we just signed in the spring period," Van Zant says. "We added two pitchers, two infielders and an outfielder to the six players we signed in the fall. We are looking for this class to have a lot of success in the next few years and (recruiting coordinator) Bruce Cameron and the entire staff deserves a lot of credit for their hard work in bringing in these outstanding players."
McGrath is one of the aces of the Hurricane High pitching staff under coach Billy Joe Hicks. Last season as a junior, McGrath was a first team all-state selection going 9-0 with a 1.26 ERA and helped Hurricane High to the AAA state championship. McGrath went 9-1 this season and is widely regarded as one of the top pitchers in the state.
"Travis is a very polished high school pitcher who has an above average curve ball that he can throw for strikes," Van Zant says. "His fastball is currently between 85-88 MPH and we believe he has the potential to throw in the 90s someday. He has been well coached by Coach Hicks and he could make an impact here as a freshman and will be a good addition to our staff."
McClure, a middle infielder at Fairmont Senior High for coach Steve Naternicola, is a two-time member of the all-NCAC team. This season, he has helped lead the Polar Bears to the state tournament and is one of the team's top hitters batting .360 with 10 doubles and a home run to go along with 16 stolen bases. McClure, also a standout football player, has struck out just nine times in 100 at-bats.
"Jarod is a very talented infielder who has excellent hands and a strong arm," Van Zant says. "He should be able to play several infield positions for us and we believe he has the chance to be a very good offensive player because he hits the ball hard. Jarod has a great attitude, he loves to play and we are happy he is a Mountaineer."
Armenio is a left-handed pitcher and first baseman for coach Tom Migliozzi at Half Hallow Hills High. Armenio, who stands 6-5 and weighs 205, is team captain and is a two-time all-county and three-time all-league 4 selection. This season on the mound, Armenio is 5-1 with a 2.83 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 47 innings pitched. At the plate, he has 49 at-bats and is hitting .306 with three doubles and 12 RBI.
"John is a big, strong left-handed pitcher with some arm strength," Van Zant says. "He throws in the mid-80s and is developing a stronger curve and change-up. He has a very high ceiling as a pitcher because of his athleticism and great attitude. We are very happy John chose WVU."
Beucher was an all-region XX selection at shortstop this past season at Potomac State. Beucher batted .305 with 12 doubles and three triples and added 10 stolen bases batting leadoff for coach Doug Little. He also showed a .401 on base percentage and slugged .471.
"Greg has done a good job for Potomac State both at shortstop and at the plate," Van Zant says. "He has good hands, a strong arm and is also a very good hitter. He is an outstanding young man on and off the field and after playing for Coach Little for two years, he should come in ready to play. He is a key addition to our ball club for next year with the departure of Eric Grimm and Tim McCabe."
Ensign set state and school records playing for his father Steve at Black River High. Ensign set the Ohio mark for career batting average hitting .608 and his 111 stolen bases rank sixth in Ohio history. As a senior, he hit .700 (49-70) with 13 home runs, 11 doubles and had 51 RBI with 45 runs scored while swiping 35 stolen bases. Ensign is a two-time league MVP and Cleveland Plain Dealer first team selection. He is a four-time all-conference and all-county choice as well.
"Brian is a talented athlete who can run and hit," Van Zant says. "He runs well enough to play in center and he has one of the best swings from the left side of the plate that I have seen. We think he has the hitting ability to play early in his career at WVU. He is also a good young man from a great family and we are thrilled that he has chosen the WVU program."
