JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Aug. 7, 2008) - ETSU head baseball coach Tony Skole announced Thursday that the Buccaneers have finalized their 2008-09 recruiting class, signing Cory Betterson (Lithonia, Ga.).

Betterson, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound, outfielder comes from Woodward Academy where he played for Jim Minor and helped the War Eagles advance deep into the playoffs last season. The Georgia native also played summer ball for the Georgia Roadrunners coached by Tom Haire. Betterson has great size and strength, and was recently timed at a 6.58 60-yard dash at the Perfect Game Showcase.

"Cory is the epitome of what we're looking for in a baseball student-athlete," Skole said. "He is hard working, has a great respect for the game with the tools to compete at a high level, knows how to win and is a very good student. He has a ton of offensive potential and can really run. We're counting on Cory to contribute as a freshman with the unlimited potential he has."

Betterson is the ninth player to sign in the 2008-09 class that includes 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.), shortstop Cody Bentley (Pound, Va.), outfielder Matthew Scruggs (Knoxville, Tenn.), and left handed pitcher Pete Whittingslow (Kennesaw, Ga.).

"I believe this group of athletes can make an immediate impact," Skole said. "We wanted this class to be athletic and also be a group of tough kids.  We feel like we addressed those needs with this recruiting class that is filled with hard-nosed competitors. I am confident this group of recruits possesses the ability to help us win early in their careers."

Please visit www.ETSUBucs.com for more information on ETSU baseball and all other Buccaneer athletic news.