University of Richmond Athletics
Baseball Inks Four in Early Signing Period
11/17/2003 | Baseball
Nov. 17, 2003
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond department of athletics announced today that Russell Canzler, Alex Hale, Ryan Metzroth and Austin Reilly have signed national letters of intent to join head coach Ron Atkins' squad for the 2005 season.
A 6'3" third baseman, Canzler (Conyngham, Pa.) is a physical presence with unlimited power potential and a tremendous work ethic. As a junior in high school, Russell hit .435 with 28 RBI and nine home runs in only 78 at-bats. He has been named to the Wyoming Valley Conference first team in both his sophomore and junior years. Team One Baseball is quoted saying, "Canzler projects as a power hitting third baseman in pro ball. He will be one of the more scouted players in Pennsylvania for the 2004 draft."
Listed at 6'2", 195-pounds, Hale (Omaha, Neb.) is one of the best catching prospects in the Midwest. Following his junior year in high school, Hale was named the 2003 Gatorade Nebraska High School Player of the Year. He is rated one of the top 250 prospects in the 2004 class by Perfect Game USA. Hale, with his solid swing, strong arm and quick release is expected to contribute as a freshman.
A 6'3" outfielder, Metzroth (Agoura, Calif.) is a left-handed hitter with tremendous power potential. He hit .493, including 46 RBI and nine home runs in just 26 games this past summer in Legion ball. Metzroth has already been named team captain for his senior year. Metzroth will be a valuable asset for the Spiders.
Reilly (Aledo, Tex.), a 5'11" shortstop/second baseman, has been rated as one of the top 200 prospects in the 2004 class by Perfect Game USA. For the past four years Reilly's AAU team, the Arlington Wizards, have participated in the national finals and in 2002 they were the national runner-up. Reilly is an immediate impact player with good speed, a strong arm and a tremendous work ethic.
"I am extremely pleased with the 2004 early signing class," Atkins said. "Adam Taylor, our recruiting coordinator, has done an outstanding job in identifying and bringing in quality impact players that are truly student-athletes. We are as excited about the way in which these young men carry themselves as we are about their baseball ability. With this recruiting class, I feel the future is bright for the Spiders' baseball program."
The 2004 Spider team opens its season on February 20 against the Bulldogs at The Citadel Tournament in Charleston, S.C.
