University of Richmond Athletics
Baseball Signs Three In Early Signing Period
11/29/2001 | Baseball
Nov. 29, 2001
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond department of athletics announced today that Brad Jones, Brad Loveless and Alex Wotring have singed national letters of intent to join head coach Ron Atkins' baseball program for the 2003 season.
A 5'11" shortstop, Jones started all four years for head coach Drew Johnson at the Landon School. He earned Baseball Factory All-America honors after hitting .418 with 27 runs scored. The Potomac, Md., native stroked nine doubles and two triples, while going 21-for-21 on the base paths.
"Brad has good first step quickness and soft hands," Atkins said. "As he gets bigger and stronger, we expect him to become a dangerous hitter."
A native of Ellicott City, Md., Loveless is a 6'3" right-hander that went 8-3 with a 2.33 ERA last season. He struck out 88 batters in 60 innings pitched. A first team All-Howard County and Baseball Factory All-American, Loveless led Centennial High School and head coach Dave Appleby to the Maryland 2A state championship by blasting a three-run homer and earning the win on the pitcher's mound.
"Brad has a tremendous amount of potential with an 89 mph fastball," Atkins said. "He has good command of his offspeed pitches and is a proven winner."
One of the best catching prospects in the East, Wotring is also a Baseball Factory All-American and hit .410 with 14 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases last year. A two-time all-league selection, Wotring led St. John's College High School and head coach Ed Gibbs to a 70-15 record as a three-year starter.
"Alex is working hard to improve all aspects of his game," Atkins said. "He is a very good defensive catcher and throws a consistent 1.90 to second base."
Coach Atkins and the Spider baseball team will open the 2002 season in The Citadel Tournament, played at Joseph P. Riley Park in Charleston, S.C., from Februrary 15-17.
