December 18, 2009

VCU BASEBALL INKS FIVE DURING EARLY SIGNING PERIOD

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Commonwealth University baseball program has announced the signing of five players, four of which are Richmond-area products, for the 2011 season following the early signing period this fall.

A trio of Manchester High School standouts - catcher Chris Ayers, infielder Joey Cujas and right-handed pitcher Ryan Morrison – will join the Rams next spring.  Two-way Thomas Dale High School product Bill Cullen and right-handed hurler Dylan Auker, a transfer from San Jose City College, also signed national letters of intent.

“We are obviously very excited about this year’s recruiting class, said VCU Head Coach Paul Keyes.  “The coaching staff did an excellent job targeting players, not only who are the right fit on the field, but are ideal student-athletes to represent VCU. 

“We addressed our needs by solidifying speed at the top of the lineup, power bats for the middle of the lineup and added strength defensively to the middle of the field.  On the mound, we were able to fill the need of more front-line pitching as well as add relief pitching to fill the loss of bullpen arms.”

Ayers, Cujas and Morrison led Manchester to an 18-3 record last season and will join current Ram hurler and former Manchester standout Blake Hauser at VCU.  The trio has a history of success as members of the 2008 and 2009 American Legion Post 137 state championship teams, while the 2009 squad reached the America Legion World Series.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Ayers earned first team All-Dominion District, first team All-Central Region and second team All-State honors last year after hitting .446 with 17 RBI, eight doubles and four home runs.  He has consistently shown power at the plate throughout his career, sporting a .414 batting average with 15 home runs and 56 RBI in his first three seasons at Manchester.

“We’ve had the opportunity to see Chris continue to grow in our camps and on the recruiting trail over the past two years, and he has continued to get better,” Keyes said.  “He’s a right-handed hitter who possesses a ton of pop at the plate; while behind the dish, he shows very good arm strength and an exceptional work ethic.”

Cujas, meanwhile, has proven to be one of the best right-handed hitters in the state, garnering first team All-Dominion District (2008 and 2009), first team All-Central Region and first team All-State honors last season.  The 5’11”, 185-pound corner infielder hit .515 with six homers and 38 RBI in 2009 and has hit .491 with 10 home runs and 68 RBI during his high school career.

“Joey has as good of an approach at the plate as any young hitter I have seen,” said Keyes.  “He hits the ball to both sides of the field and has a reputation for coming up with big hits in big situations.  His bat will play in the middle of our lineup.  He has the ability to play both corners of the infield, which will allow him to contribute right away.  His leadership and intangibles off the field are outstanding.”

At 6’4”, 210 pounds, Morrison will be a versatile addition to the VCU pitching staff.  He earned 2009 first team All-Dominion District and Central Region honorable mention honors after posting a perfect 6-0 mark on the mound with a 1.99 ERA.  The right-hander also registered 43 strikeouts and surrendered just 10 walks as a junior.

“Ryan is a strong right-handed pitcher who continues to get better every time out,” Keyes added.  “This past summer, his fastball was consistently in the upper 80’s to lower 90’s and he worked hard to improve his off-speed pitch and command of the strikezone.  He will fill many different roles while at VCU.”

A two-way standout, Cullen will be a welcomed addition for the Rams and is expected to fill a role in the outfield and on the mound.  Last spring, the 5’9”, 160-pound Cullen hit .483 with four homeruns and 28 RBI, while posting a 7-2 record, 2.11 ERA and 74 strikeouts on the hill.  As a junior, he was named District Player of the Year and earned first team All-District, first team all-metro and first team all-region honors, while garnering second team all-state accolades.

“Bill is a top-of-the-order spark plug-type of player that we love here at VCU,” said Keyes.  “He works the counts and plays the short game well, not to mention the sheer power he possesses for his size.  His speed and plus-arm in the outfield will allow him to play all three positions.  He is a major competitor on the mound and has the ability to pound the srikezone and mix in a heavy breaking ball.”

Finally, Auker will join the Rams following a successful career at San Jose City College.  Last season, the 5’10” right-hander went 1-0 with a 3.16 ERA and one save during the regular season.  He was even better in 12 innings of postseason work, going 2-1 with a 2.92 ERA and 10 strikeouts.

“Dylan is a do-it-all reliever with a fierce mentality,” Keyes said.  “He has a very quick arm and a powerful breaking ball, which will allow him the opportunity to anchor our staff at the back end of games.”