Head coach Craig Cozart has announced five players who will join the High Point University baseball team in 2010-11. Cody Allen, Anthony Figliolia, Maverick Miles, Preston Packrall and Pat Quinn have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Panthers in the fall of 2010.
We are very excited about our second recruiting class at High Point University,” Cozart said. “These five players represent everything we want in student-athletes within our program. They have tremendous character and families and are solid academically and extremely talented on the baseball field. Last year’s class was about creating quality and depth and this year’s class is about bringing in the greatest talent possible.”
Cody Allen (Orlando, Fla./Boone) will join the Panthers for his junior season. Allen played his freshman season at the University of Central Florida where he tied a team-high with 21 appearances, collecting a 2-1 record with a 4.58 ERA and one save. He recorded 45 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings. Allen redshirted his second season at UCF and will play at St. Petersburg College this spring before coming to HPU next fall.
“He is the prototypical power pitcher,” Cozart said. “It is a unique story in that I have known Cody since he was in eighth grade and he originally signed to play at UCF where I coached him his freshman season. I am very proud and excited that he will finish his college career with us at HPU. On the mound his potential is limitless. He possesses three “plus” pitches and is the type of pitcher who has the ability to anchor the rotation. He also knows the culture and expectations of our program and because of his ability and intangibles he will make a huge impact for us.”
Anthony Figliolia (Winter Springs, Fla./Winter Springs) is also a junior transfer from UCF. Figliolia will fill many roles as a player for the Panthers, he will see time in the infield or outfield and make relief appearances for the pitching corps. Figliolia will play for the State College of Florida this spring. As a freshman at UCF, he made 18 relief appearances, going 1-1 with 23 strikeouts. For the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs summer league, Figliolia led the team with a .398 batting average and 19 runs scored. He had 10 RBI and eight stolen bases. He also went 3-0 with a 2.93 ERA in six starts.
“His versatility is his greatest gift,” Cozart said “His athleticism puts him in position to be able to play literally anywhere on the field and he will make an immediate impact on offense and as a pitcher. He is a big, physical athletic kid who is great defensively in a lot of positions, can really hit, a great runner and a high-quality right-handed pitcher. He is another case where we get to finish what we started. We recruited him at UCF and are happy to be able to finish working with him here at HPU.”
Maverick Miles (China Grove, N.C./South Rowan) will join the team after an excellent high school career
at South Rowan. Miles was a three-time All-County selection, three-time All-North Piedmont Conference honoree and the Charlotte Observer Athlete of the Year in both baseball and pole vault as a sophomore. Miles was also named an American Legion All-Star as a junior and was the county batting champion as junior with a .470 average. He has been playing shortstop and third base at South Rowan but will likely move to the outfield for HPU.
“Miles is exactly the type of athlete and physical specimen we were looking for and targeting for this class,” Cozart said. “He is big, strong, fast and physical and we feel like we can insert him right in to centerfield and he can bat near the top of the order. He is the type of impact player that causes problems for opponents because he has the ability to make a difference in games in so many ways. Defensively he can make plays and offensively he can hit with power. He can also steal bases and will wreak havoc on opposing players and coaches with the pressure he creates on the bases.”
Preston Packrall (Tampa, Fla./Clearwater Central Catholic) was an All-County honorable mention
selection in 2009 for Clearwater Central Catholic high school. He was also named to the Dunedin All-Tournament team in 2009 and was listed as one of the top 10 hitters in Pinellas County in 2009. Packrall earned the Clearwater Central Catholic 20 hits award and team MVP award in 2009. Packrall will compete for time at shortstop and will also be an option for the pitching staff.
“Preston is a great baseball player who has the ability to play many positions, pitch and handle the bat,” Cozart said. “He has great instincts and can do it all. He is a great combination of physical tools and mental strength. Although two-way players are common, players like Preston who can make a significant impact at both are rare. There is little doubt that in his career he will be a starter offensively and a key contributor in the bullpen.”
Pat Quinn (Quaker Hill, Conn./Waterford) is the final member of the 2010-11 recruiting class. Quinn is a junior transfer who pitched his freshman season at the University of Maine and will play the 2010 season at St. Petersburg College with Cody Allen. He went 6-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 33 strikeouts in seven appearances for Maine. He also helped Waterford high school to a state championship in 2006 and earned All-State and All-Area honors.
“In Pat we have another transfer with quality experience in Division I,” Cozart said. “He is another quality arm with experience, maturity and talent. He matches his talent with competitiveness and focus. He has weekend pitcher skill and will take our pitching staff to another level. He will make an instant impact as a leader and he meshes very well with our ideals and atmosphere as a coaching staff. There are no limits on how good he can be.”
“We welcome these players in to the HPU family and we appreciate their commitment to us,” Cozart said. “We are proud that they share our vision for the program. Assistant coaches Bryan Peters and Rich Wallace are to be commended for their tireless work and dedication in recruiting these players and building our program.”
The baseball team wraps up the fall season this week with the Purple and Black World Series. Cozart’s second season at High Point will kick off on Feb. 19, 2010 when the Panthers host UNC Charlotte at Williard Stadium at 4 p.m.