Tuesday, June 22, 2004

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (June 22, 2004) - Buccaneer Baseball head coach Tony Skole announced Tuesday that Joey McCown, a left-handed pitcher from Alcoa, Tenn., has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at East Tennessee State beginning next season. McCown is a four-year starter at Alcoa High School, playing outfield in addition to pitching. During his career with the Tornadoes, McCown was 21-5 with four saves. He had a 2.79 overall ERA and struck out 262 batters while walking just 56. During his senior year, Joey was 7-1 with two saves and a 3.63 ERA. He struck out 117 batters and walked only 24 in 73.1 innings. McCown has played for the Knoxville Thunder AAU team over the summers since 2001. The 2001 team that finished fifth at the AAU National Championships also featured Buccaneer rising sophomore catcher John Weddle (Knoxville, Tenn.) and was coached by ETSU assistant Nate Goulet. Joey was the closer for the 2002 Thunder team that was the national runners-up. McCown posted a 1.48 ERA in 29.2 innings, striking out 30 batters while walking six. In 16 appearances, he was 2-0 with seven saves. "Joey McCown is going to be a great addition to Buccaneer Baseball," said Skole. "He was one of the top left-handed pitchers in Knoxville this past season. He is a tremendous young man who really knows how to compete."