JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (June 24, 2008) - ETSU head baseball coach Tony Skole announced Tuesday that the Buccaneers have added another player to their 2008-09 recruiting class, signing Cody Bentley (Pound, Va.).

Bentley, a 6-foot, 185-pound, righty pitcher and shortstop who throws in the high 80's and has a 6.69 sixty time is ranked the 253^rd best prospect in the country by Perfect Game and was quoted as being "The best unsigned senior in the country." Bentley played for JJ Kelly high school last season and won the Virginia State Championship in class A. Bentley threw a no-hitter in the state quarterfinal game and was credited with the save in the championship game.

Bentley earned Rawlings Pre-Season All-Region Team, All-Southwest Virginia Player of the Year, All-Southwest Virginia First Team, All-Region D First-Team, All-District Player of the Year and All-District First-Team honors as a senior. The Virginia native finished the season batting .484 with 44 hits, 14 doubles, five home runs and 33 RBI in 28 games. Bentley also had a 3.08 ERA with a 7-0 record and 71 strikeouts in 52.1 innings.

"We are extremely excited to sign Cody Bentley for next season," Skole said. "Cody will be a great addition to our program. Our goal for this recruiting class was to get more athletic and Cody definitely helps us in that area.  He is a definite two-way player who has been one of the top players in the state of Virginia during his high school career.  Cody has many tools and is a very polished athlete.  He is very physical player, can really run and more importantly he is a fine young man.  The success he has had speaks for itself, as he has had a tremendous high school career.  We are anticipating Cody to make an immediate impact on our program."

Bentley adds depth to an already talented recruiting class including infielder Bo Reeder (Cookeville, Tenn.), right handed pitcher Taylor Gouffon (Knoxville, Tenn.), catcher Skyler Barnett (Erwin, Tenn.), middle infielder Garrett May (Marietta, Ga.), left handed pitcher Josh Gonzaga (Pembroke Pines, Fla.), and left handed pitcher Pete Whittingslow (Kennesaw, Ga.).

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