HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

Head coach Craig Cozart has announced three more student-athletes that will join the 2010-11 High Point University baseball team. Freshman John Maloney and transfers Ryan Retz and Sean Wilson have all joined the Panthers for the 2011 season.

“Associate head coach Bryan Peters and assistant coach Rich Wallace worked hard all summer to identify the final pieces of this year’s recruiting class,” Cozart said. “These three players will give us the options and depth that we need to make this team as competitive as possible. We are very excited about the 2011 team.”

Maloney joins the team from Mahopac, N.Y. and give HPU another option behind the plate. The freshman catcher was a three-year varsity starter at Mahopac High School and helped the team to the 2010 League Championship. Mahopac also advanced to the League semifinals in 2008. Maloney was also an All-Section football player at Mahopac and was the team MVP as a senior.

“Maloney is a strong, physical kid with great arm strength,” Cozart said. “He gives us quality depth behind the plate behind senior Kyle Mahoney and sophomore Zach Tessier.”

Retz comes to High Point for his sophomore season after playing one year at Pima Community College in Arizona. The Tucson, Ariz. native will be an option at first base as well as serving as a relief pitcher this season. He was a three-year All-Conference and All-State selection for Canyon Del Oro High School and was named the Southern Arizona Player of the Year for his senior season. In his year at Pima, Retz hit .302 with three homers and 34 RBI. He also recorded 20 strikeouts in 27-1/3 innings pitched.

“Ryan will be a quality two-way player for us,” Cozart said. “He will give us a solid glove at first base, a middle-of-the-order bat and has the ability to fill a variety of roles on the mound, including getting outs at the end of the game.”

A junior transfer, Wilson will add speed to the HPU outfield that lost all-three starters from the 2010 season. Wilson played two years at McHenry Community College, hitting .517 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI in his sophomore season. He was also 20-21 in stolen bases and scored 71 runs last year. Wilson was an All-Conference and All-Region selection in his final season at McHenry. While at Crystal Lake South High School, Wilson was a first team All-Conference selection and a second team All-Area honoree.

“Sean is a very athletic outfielder who will add incredible speed to our team,” Cozart said. “He is a serious threat to steal bases and can track down just about anything in the outfield. He has a solid offensive approach and will fight for a starting position right away.”

Maloney, Retz and Wilson round out the 2011 recruiting class that includes freshmen Maverick Miles and Preston Packrall and transfer Cody Allen. Fans can get their first look at the new Panthers in the 2010 Purple and Black Series at Williard Stadium Nov. 5-7.