University of Delaware Athletics
Four Standouts Sign National Letters of Intent to Join University of Delaware Baseball Squad in 2012
12/7/2011 1:47:00 PM | Baseball
After finishing two years at their respective junior college programs in the spring, Adam Davis and Connor Hibbs as well as high school standouts Joey Frey and Mike Gillespie, who have each signed NCAA National Letters of Intent, will join the Blue and Gold next season.
“Coach (Mike) Ranson did a great job with this year's recruiting class,” said Sherman, who will enter his 12th year on the bench for the Blue Hens this season. “He worked hard with these four signees to help us improve right away and even harder on the additional walk-ons who will be coming in next year.”
Davis (above right), a native of Drums, Pa. (Hazleton Area High School), played both baseball and basketball in high school, earning two letters in each. He earned all-conference honors and was named a team captain as a senior for baseball. Davis helped his team win a Wyoming Valley Conference Division championship and reach the District 2 Class AAA finals in 2010.
Davis joined St. John's roster for the 2011 season, earning Big East All-Academic honors before transferring to Lackawanna College to play for Chris Pensak for his upcoming second collegiate season. This past summer, the right-handed pitcher was a part of the Elmira Pioneers of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, throwing 33.2 innings with 43 strikeouts and only 12 walks. He held a 2.67 earned run average, placing him on the PGCBL Rising Stars Team at season's end.
“Adam is a polished right-hander who will be an impact guy on our staff,” said Ranson, Delaware's recruiting coordinator and pitching coach. “He is an athletic pitcher with a live arm and will help out our rotation.”
Hibbs (second right), a native of Odenton, Md. (Arundel High School) is set to begin his second year at The Community College of Baltimore County at Catonsville this spring. He is the son of Tom and Tina Hibbs, and has three siblings, Jessi, Tyler and Shelby.
Last season, the right-handed pitcher threw 52 innings, earning a 5-3 record with 56 strikeouts. He carried a 3.27 earned run average for CCBC head coach Dan Blue.
“Connor is a front-line arm and will also help immediately on our staff,” continued Ranson. “He has a fastball than can reach 93 miles per hour and has a plus pitch in his slider. Having played two years of college baseball, both he and Adam's experience will help our staff. We expect big things from Connor.”
Frey (third right), a senior at Moorestown High School in Burlington County, N.J., is a three-year starter and letter winner for head coach Bill Donoghue. The catcher was an Under Armour and Perfect Game USA Preseason All-American in 2011. Frey finished with a team-high .450 batting average, including 42 runs, 33 runs batted in and five home runs. He has earned three All-Liberty Division, two All-Burlington County, and one All-South Jersey honors in three years.
This pasts summer, Frey helped lead the South Jersey Carpenter Cup team to the finals at Citizens Bank Park and captained the Tri-State Arsenal. His summer squad has won two Triple Crown Summer national championships, and ended ranked nationally in the Perfect Game rankings. Frey is ranked as the No. 10 top player in New Jersey by Perfect Game and is ranked No. 490 across the country.
“Joe is a strong and athletic catcher with excellent defensive skills behind the plate,” Ranson said of the catcher. “At 6-2 and 205 pounds, he has the frame and with his defensive skill set we are excited to see him in a Blue Hen uniform. We wanted to bring in some help behind the plate and Joe will provide us with just that.”
Gillespie (bottom right), a senior at Boys' Latin School of Maryland in Baltimore, hit .583 with 40 RBIs and seven home runs as a junior in 2011. Two of his home runs were grand slams and he finished with a 1.005 slugging percentage in 23 games. Gillespie also threw 50 innings while striking out 76 batters, earning all-conference and team Most Valuable Player honors.
The dual position player was named a top player in the Under Armour Baseball Factory Team One Northeast Showcase for both pitching and hitting. He was first selected to the 2010 Under Armour Baseball Factory Select Tournament in the Pirate City Cove facility in Bradenton, Fla. In 2010.
“Michael was brought to our attention by Matt Morris, and he did not disappoint us when we saw him,” said Ranson. “He commanded an upper 80's fastball and had a nice change-up to compliment. He also showed the potential to be a power bat for us. He will be a nice addition to our program as a two-way guy going forward.”
The 2012 Delaware recruiting class ranks 98th by Perfect Game Baseball.
“We are excited about this 2012 recruiting class,” said Sherman of his Top 100 class. “We have two real impact pitchers with experience in Davis and Hibbs. They can immediately give us innings. Gillespie is a dual player with the bat and on the mound and he will only get better with time and experience. Frey is an outstanding catch and throw guy from behind the plate and could catch at the college level right now. His bat will come around as he gets more at-bats.”
The Blue Hens open their 2012 schedule on the road, traveling to the University of Houston for a three-game set beginning Feb. 17. Delaware's home slate starts on March 2 as the Hens welcome Fairfield for a three-game tilt at Bob Hannah Stadium.
