CSU Baseball Signs Eight in Early Period

COLUMBUS, GA -- Columbus State University head baseball coach Greg Appleton had a busy early signing period with eight student-athletes committing to the school. Junior college players Jason Rogers (Southern Union) and David Lane (Gordon College) join true freshman Ryan Lewis (Brookwood HS) as the most recent signees, just a day after outfielders Wes Adkins and Alex Montes, right-handed pitcher Wade Dudley and left-handed pitcher Tyler Moffitt signed with CSU. The early period began with the signing of pitcher Nick Sarianides.

Rogers will come to CSU after playing two years for long time Southern Union skipper Jabbo Jordan where he anchored a lineup that won 42 games a year ago. Rogers put up impressive numbers as a freshman and looks to have another monster season this coming spring. The big right-handed hitter posted a .364 batting average, with 13 doubles, 1 triple and 2 homeruns while driving in 45 runs. Rogers projects to come in and hit in the middle of the order and can play a variety of positions. Last season he saw time at first, third, and in the outfield. He prepped at Banneker High School in College Park, GA, where he played for Edward Gosa. As a senior he was named Most Outstanding player for the Trojans. Appleton likes the fact that Rogers will enable CSU to send another power threat to the plate as he stands 6’2” 230 and can hit the ball out to all fields. Along with his outstanding power Rogers moves extremely well and has a plus arm.

Lane, a right handed pitcher, prepped at Eagles Landing High School in McDonough, GA, where he was coached by Toby Evans. Last season for coach Travis McClanahan’s Gordon Highlanders he went 4-2 with a 3.13 era. He pitched 46 innings and fanned 45 batters while holding opponents to a .257 batting average. Lane started one game but was used primarily out of the bullpen - seeing time as the club's closer and earning 4 saves. Lane is another guy who wants the ball and impressed the CSU coaches by his willingness to go after hitters. He was a very important ingredient on a Gordan team that won 45 games last season and earned a national ranking as high as #2 in the polls. His durability along with his ability to start and close compares him to former Cougar hurler and single season saves record holder Paul Able. As a senior at Eagles Landing, Lane was named the Most Valuable Player on his team while going 5-2 with 65 punch outs in 48 innings. He was also the starting shortstop and was nominated for Henry County Player of the Year honors.

Lewis is a 3-year starter in center field for coach Rick Howard’s Brookwood Broncos and played an instrumental role in the team’s Class AAAAA final four appearance and their 27-9 record last season. Lewis is a preseason 2nd team All State selection and will once again anchor the 3rd spot in the lineup for the Broncos. Last season he was a 1st team All Region 8 selection along with being named 2nd team All County, the March Player of the Month, and April Player of the Month by the Georgia Dugout Club. Lewis is also a member of former Columbus State Cougar Brad Bouras’ Team Elite. Appleton says Lewis is an exciting talent who can run, throw, hit for power and hit for average and will make the Cougars a better team early in his career.

Montes, who hails from nearby Phenix City, Al, had one of the best seasons of any junior college freshman in the country last season. He was named 1st team All Conference for putting up impressive numbers and playing a stellar center field for the Pirates. In 57 games the leadoff man hit for a .402 average with 7 doubles, and 5 triples. He scored an amazing 77 runs which broke the CVCC school record and ranked him first in the state. He also stole 30 bases while knocking in 21 runs. During his high school career Montes suited up for Ron Nelson at Central Phenix City High where he was an All BiCity choice as an outfielder. Montes is a true center fielder who can run down balls in the gap and make highlight reel catches. Also, he is a pure leadoff man with a good approach at the plate who can get down the line from the left side.

Adkins saw time in the outfield and at DH last season for the pirates and in109 ab’s hit 3 doubles, 4 homers, and had 18 RBI’s. He also scored 23 runs and stole 4 bases. Adkins, who possesses big time power, will compete for time in the outfield and at DH next season. He is a product of Brookwood High School in Gwinnett where he played for Coach Rick Howard. After his senior year Adkins was named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution's All Gwinnett County Team, Georgia Dugout Club East Atlanta All Star Team, Georgia Dugout Club Player of the Week, and Georgia Dugout Club 2nd Team All Gwinnett County. Appleton believes Adkins is a presence on the field and has the ability to hit the ball out of the park on any pitch. This was evident this fall when Adkins homered in six straight games for the Pirates. CSU will count on Adkins to be a difference maker next spring with his ability to produce runs.

Lefty Tyler Moffitt is the lone southpaw to sign with the Cougars in the early period.. Moffitt went to CVCC from LaGrange (GA) High where he played for Donnie Branch’s Grangers team. He went 6-3 with a 3.28 era last season for Thomas and the Pirates. He threw 61 innings, allowed 66 hits and struck out 38 batters. Moffitt reminds the CSU staff of current CSU lefty and his former LaGrange High teammate Korey Noles. Moffitt, like Noles, is not a power pitcher, but every time he steps on the mound he gives his team a chance to win the game. His stuff is electric and his good off-speed pitches and ability to throw inside makes his mid 80’s fastball look much harder. Appleton loves his competitiveness and the fact that he has succeeded on every level he has pitched.

Right-hander Wade Dudley will join the Cougars next season after having an impressive first season out of the CVCC bullpen. Dudley is a submarine strike-thrower who will have the ability to come in and compete for pitching time and be a stopper for coach Appleton’s staff. He split time being the closer and set up man as a freshman and in 23.2 innings went 1-1 with 3 saves and a 2.28 ERA. Dudley went to CVCC from Central Phenix City High in Phenix City where he was a teammate of fellow signee Alex Montes. As a senior, Dudley was selected to the All BiCity Team. Appleton believes Dudley has the mentality needed as a reliever to come in, throw strikes, and get outs.

Last season for Coach Russell Henderson’s Northside Patriots, Sarianides pitched in 15 games with 4 starts. The hard throwing right hander pitched 32 2/3 innings compiling 26 K’s and a 3.00 era. This past summer Sarianides was selected to participate on prestigious Team Georgia.