Monday, November 13, 2006

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 13, 2006) - Head coach Tony Skole added two more signees to this year's recruiting class Monday, announcing that shortstop Nick Belcher (Abingdon, Va.) and right-handed pitcher Dustin Plumlee (Knoxville, Tenn.) have signed national letters of intent to play for ETSU.

Belcher, a former first-team All-State selection at Abingdon High, led Walters State community College to the Junior College World Series title last season, hitting .304 with 14 doubles, eight home runs, 69 runs scored and 46 RBI while batting leadoff for the Senators. 

"Nick is a very polished player, who can flat out play the game," said Skole. "He has great instincts and is very tough mentally. Nick is the best junior college shortstop in Tennessee and one of the top junior college shortstops in the entire country. Nick has all the intangibles. He is a great young man and a great leader on and off the field. Nick will instantly improve our program."

Plumlee averaged over seven strikeouts per game in his freshman season at Cleveland State and walked only 1.6 batters each outing while compiling a 10-4 record for the Cougars.  An all-around athlete, Plumlee lettered in three sports in his high school career; achieving All-Region and All-District honors in each as a senior.

"Dustin is going to make an immediate impact on our success," said Skole.  "When he steps on campus he will have a ton of experience under his belt and he should challenge for a spot in our weekend rotation.  He is one the top junior college pitchers in Tennessee having won 10 games as a freshman.  He is going to pitch in the upper 80's with a lot of movement and he really pounds the strike zone.  Dustin is going to be very good."   

The national signing period continues through Wednesday, November 15.