Of the nine signees, five are from Kentucky, two are from Tennessee, with one each from Indiana and Iowa. The group includes four pitchers, three infielders and two outfielders.
“This class is loaded with athletes. We met our immediate needs in improving our athleticism all over the field — including on the mound,” said Finwood. “(Assistant coaches) Andrew Slater and Ryan Halla did a tremendous job cultivating the relationships that are necessary in order to recruit the caliber of baseball players we signed during this early period. I can‘t say enough about the job both of them did.”
The Hilltoppers will add some instant depth to their pitching staff with four new arms — two righthanders and two leftys — joining the mix. Area product Derrick Harwood (RHP/INF, Scottsville, Ky., Allen County-Scottsville HS) has been a four-time all-district selection for coach Kerry Harwood. Harwood will also see time in the infield. Matt Ridings (RHP, Nashville, Tenn., Battle Ground Academy) was named the D-II Middle Region Player of the Year last season for coach Brad Myers. He is also a two-time all-region selection, and was named the all-Midstate team as a junior.
“Derrick is a multidimensional athlete that can help us a lot of different ways — especially on the mound and in the infield,” said Finwood. “And Matt is a very polished high school pitcher with great control. I really feel like he can compete for a spot in our rotation immediately.”
Bart Carter (LHP, Franklin, Ind., Franklin Community HS) has been named all county three times and has twice been named all conference while pitching for coach Brian Luse at FCHS. He played summer ball with the Indiana Bulls in 2003, earning a spot on the all-World Series team. Rounding out the pitching signees is Graham Myers (LHP, Alcoa, Tenn., Alcoa HS). Myers earned all-county and all-district honors as a junior with coach Steve Dunn, and was selected to Team Tennessee for the Blue-Gray Classic.
“Both of these guys give us quality leftys to add to our pitching staff,” added Finwood. “Bart is a great competitor with an outstanding breaking ball, and Graham is a great young arm with three quality pitches.”
Western will also bring in three high school infielders — all three from Kentucky. Adam Duvall (Louisville, Ky., Butler Traditional HS) has been an all-district and all-region selection for coach Mike Bryant, and was a member of the 2004 Babe Ruth World Series All-World team. He also adds all-district and all-regional selections to his list of accomplishments. Wade Gaynor (Owensboro, Ky., Hancock County HS) was a member of the 2004 Class “A” State Team for coach Chris Morris, and is a two-time all-region pick. Jake Wells (Owensboro, Ky., Apollo HS) was named to the 2005 East-West All-Star Team and the Kentucky Junior All-State Team. He has also twice been named all-region for coach Bob Mantooth.
“All three of these guys have potential to be tremendous college players for us,” said Finwood. “Adam is an outstanding athlete with a chance to be an excellent college shortstop. Wade is a tremendous hitter that was recruited by a number of SEC schools, and Jake is a very athletic middle infielder with a sweet left-handed swing.”
Rounding out the recruiting class are a pair of outfielders, including the only junior college player in the group. Scott Kaskie (Papillion, Neb., Iowa Western CC) was named second-team all-region as a freshman for coach Marc Rardin at Iowa Western. He was also a three-time high school all-state pick at Papillion-LaVista High School. Troy Frazier (Louisville, Ky., Pleasure Ridge Park HS) was a first-team all-metro pick and the co-Player of the Year in 2005 for PRP coach Bill Miller.
“Both of these guys know what it takes to win,” Finwood said. “Scott helped lead Iowa Western to the Junior College World Series as a freshman, and will be reunited with IWCC teammate Scottie Colt next season. Troy is a tremendous athlete that displayed a lot of power as a junior. He also led Team Kentucky in hitting at the Midwest Classic this past summer.”
This year’s Hilltopper squad recently concluded fall practice, and will get the 2006 season underway in mid February.
Hilltopper Baseball Signees Name Ht. Wt. B/T Class-Exp. Pos. Hometown (Previous School) Bart Carter 5-10 165 L/L Fr.-HS LHP Franklin, Ind. (Franklin Community HS) Adam Duvall 6-2 180 R/R Fr.-HS INF Louisville, Ky. (Butler Traditional HS) Troy Frazier 6-2 185 R/R Fr.-HS OF Louisville, Ky. (Pleasure Ridge Park HS) Wade Gaynor 6-4 190 R/R Fr.-HS INF Owensboro, Ky. (Hancock County HS) Derrick Harwood 6-1 180 R/R Fr.-HS RHP/INF Scottsville, Ky. (Allen County-Scottsville HS) Scott Kaskie 6-1 190 R/R Jr.-JC OF Papillion, Neb. (Iowa Western CC) Graham Myers 6-2 185 L/L Fr.-HS LHP Alcoa, Tenn. (Alcoa HS) Matt Ridings 6-0 170 R/R Fr.-HS RHP Nashville, Tenn. (Battle Ground Academy) Jake Wells 6-0 170 L/R Fr.-HS INF Owensboro, Ky. (Apollo HS)
