FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University first-year baseball head coach Brian McCullough has announced his first recruiting class of six that have signed the National Letter of Intent to join the Lancers for 2014-15. They include Michael Colombi/Center Moriches, New York, Josh Covey/Waldorf, Maryland, Sammy Miller/Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, Hayes Nelson/Roanoke, Michael Osinski/Vestal, New York and Zach Potojecki/Danville.
"We are pleased to announce the signing of these six student-athletes for the Longwood baseball program," said McCullough. "We believe in recruiting talented young men of high character as we continue to grow the program into the future. This class is another example of that tradition of excellence. We feel that we have improved the overall team speed of our position players and our two pitching signees possess all the skills needed to elevate the depth and quality of our pitching staff."
Colombi, an outfielder, has been a four-year starter at Center Moriches High School on Long Island, New York. A two-year team captain, he was named a 2013 Underclass All-American Honorable Mention by Perfect Game, and All-League, All-County and All-State as a junior. Colombi earned a Suffolk County (N.Y.) Gold Glove Award at third base as a sophomore (the only sophomore to do so), when he also earned All-League and was a Top 100 player on Long Island. He is currently ranked in the Top 500 Nationally and No. 29 in New York by Perfect Game.
"Michael has both the foot speed and defensive tools to compete for playing time at multiple positions: catcher, first base and outfield," said McCullough. "His impressive bat speed and power projects him someday to become an impact middle-of-the-order hitter. We shall expect big things of him during his time at Longwood. His strong tool set, determination to improve himself every day, and general coachability are characteristics of a winner."
Covey, a right-handed pitcher, earned Pitcher of the Year honors at North Point High School as a junior when he was also an All-County choice after entering the year as a preseason All-State and All-America pick. Covey will play at Riverdale Baptist School as a senior.
"Josh is a big right-handed pitcher with a good pitcher's frame who can pump his fastball into the 90's," said McCullough. "He has impressed us with his ability and willingness to pound the zone, and to work his fastball effectively on both sides of the plate. With continued hard work, experience and the confidence that time brings, Josh has a great chance to develop into a quality pitcher here at Longwood."
Miller, an infielder/outfielder, is a three-time York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) First Team All Star (2011-13) and earned 2013 YAIAA Division III Player of the Year and Pennsylvania High School Baseball Coaches Association All-State honors. He was selected to Team Pennsylvania for the 2013 Big 26 Classic All-Star Tournament, earning Player of the Series. Miller is a four-time member of the Pennsylvania State Keystone Games Capital Region Team (2010-13). He was the 2013 York-Adams County American Legion League MVP and Batting Champion, while a multiple American Legion All-Star selection in recent years. A three-year letterwinner in football, Miller served as a team captain in 2013 when he earned YAIAA First Team All-Star honors at safety, and Second Team honors at running back.
"Sammy is a multi-sport athlete who has had great success not only as a versatile infielder/outfielder on the baseball field, but also as a star running back on his high school football team," said McCullough. "He has great foot speed and has a history of hitting for both average and occasional power. We like his athleticism and envision him contributing at a number of positions. With his elite speed, steady bat and touch of baseball savvy, he could someday give the Lancers a premier top-of-the-order threat."
Nelson, an outfielder, has been a four-year member of the varsity baseball team at Hidden Valley High School where he was named the offensive Player of the Year as a junior, earning All-River Ridge District Second Team honors. He played for the West Team in the 2013 Commonwealth Games, has been a three-year starter on the Hidden Valley basketball team and is a four-year Honor Roll student at HVHS.
"Hayes has the native ability, and the mindset, to challenge for playing time if he is able to produce with the bat," said McCullough. "He appears to be made to order for driving in runs, while also showing homerun power potential. While he has sufficient foot speed to handle the corner outfield positions, his future as a Lancer could also be as a first baseman."
Osinski, an infielder, was a Class AA, Section 4 All-Star and All-Conference selection as a junior at Vestal Senior High School. A three-year member of the Chandler Baseball Organization in New York, he was a 2013 Class A-AA, Section 4 All-Star choice in football, earning Vestal Defensive Back Player of the Year honors, as well.
"Michael is a tall, athletic shortstop who possesses a strong arm, good range and a solid glove," said McCullough. "He has the defensive skills to become an elite shortstop at the D-I level. He is a tireless worker in the weight room, on the practice field and on game day. We feel that Michael has a great chance to become an impact player, and possibly a Longwood great."
Potojecki, a right-handed pitcher, earned All-Region, All-Dogwood District and All-Metro honors as a junior pitcher and utility player at Chatham High School. He was also All-Dogwood District as a sophomore, and has lettered in baseball for three years. Potojecki is a candidate to be an Honor Graduate and a Graduate of Merit with an Advanced Studies Diploma and Early College Scholars.
"Zach is a right-handed pitcher who has shown strong arm strength, while also adding an effective off-speed pitch he can throw for strikes," said McCullough. "He is a proven competitor on and off the field, which is the first thing we look for when evaluating and grading pitchers. We look forward to working with him, and seeing how far his ability will take him here at Longwood."
Longwood will open its 2014 campaign with a three-game series at East Tennessee State University of the Atlantic Sun Conference on February 14-16 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Jon Benick, Dan Benick and Matt Rein will assist Coach McCullough this season.
