Catawba baseball coach Jim Gantt announced the addition of nine players to the program on Monday.
Salisbury first baseman Chance Bowden was profiled in Monday’s edition.
Kyle Smith (Greensboro Grimsley), Michael Elwell (Lake Norman), Dalton Bullard (Pinecrest), Bryan Blanton (Albemarle), Jamie Anderson (Lake Norman), Shaun McConoughey (Providence) and Nick Williams (East Davidson) will join the program as freshmen in the fall of 2014, and junior T.J. Wharton already is part of the program as a transfer.
Wharton, a 215-pound catcher, is a native of Florida and originally signed with UNC Greensboro. He started four games for the Spartans in 2012 and played in 14.
Bullard also adds to Catawba’s catching strength.
“He’s very strong defensively, a good catch-and-throw guy,” Gantt said.
Elwell is a good athlete who plays outfield and pitches for Lake Norman. He’ll get a look in the outfield, but his biggest upside is as a lefty pitcher.
“He’s got a great curveball,” Gantt said. “It breaks late and it breaks sharp.”
Smith, who plays Legion ball for Randolph County, has speed and a strong arm and has played some shortstop, but Gantt expects him to help the Indians mostly as an outfielder.
Blanton is a three-sport athlete for Albemarle, where his duties include quarterbacking the football team.
He figures to be a valuable right-handed pitcher for the Indians.
“He’s got a quick arm and he has some deception to his pitches,” Gantt said. “And as a quarterback, he’s got the mentality of being a leader.”
Anderson is a right-handed pitcher and has impressed Gantt with his competitiveness and ability to pitch in tight situations.
McConoughey is a strong, right-handed power-hitter who can play first base or outfield.
Williams, an East Davidson product, plays shortstop for the Golden Eagles and is regarded as an excellent fielder.
“We got guys at positions we needed and we got guys who fit in academically and as people,” Gantt said.
Catawba opens the season with a road trip to Florida. Opening day is Feb. 1.