Dirtbags Land Three for Fall

The Dirtbag's program is very pleased to announce the signings of Southwest Randolph high school's Hunter Ridge and Eastern Wayne high school duo Walker Gourley and John Wooten for the 2008 fall.

"We are very excited about these three standouts joining the Dirtbag family this fall. We needed to add some highly skilled, athletic guys who can play multiple positions and make us more potent on the offensive end. We feel like we got three of the best baseball players and people in the entire state of North Carolina. All three of these young men come from great families and will make an immediate impact on our program this fall. We're anxious to get these guys in a Dirtbag uniform soon and get started," said Head Coach Andy Partin.

Partin on Ridge:
"Ridge has got a classic left-handed stroke and impressive bat-speed. He's a left-handed masher. He's hit double-digit homeruns the past two summers in American Legion. I love his overall make-up and his ability to play all four corner positions. He's a 7.2 runner and he's got arm strength. Ridge is going to bring our team even more swagger and hopefully a middle of the order monster."

Partin on Gourley:
"Gourley is a first-rate, high energy infielder. He's possesses extremely quick hands and a plenty of arm strength. He's a 6.7-6.8 runner and plays the game intelligently-aggressive. He's havoc creator on the bases as well. At the plate he controls the strike zone with a short, quick stroke. He's a dangerous line drive hitter from the right-side. I have not seen Walker behind the plate yet, but word is he is stellar back there too. This guy plays the game right - hard all the time."

Partin on Wooten:
Wooten is a 6'-4" 190 lbs athlete that punishes the baseball from the right-side. He's got a good looking stroke and he generates a lot of bat-speed. He's got a chance to play a big role for us offensively this fall. He's a 6.9 runner and builds around an upper 80's fastball on the mound with an 78-80 mph slide-piece that's got swing and miss written all over it. Wooten will be very valuable for us as he can play just about anywhere on the diamond."

The Dirtbags will begin the fall season the end of August. The schedule will be released in early August.