Alabama baseball signs 14 for 2019 class

Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon announced the signing of 14 players during the early signing period for the 2019-20 academic year. The Crimson Tide added 12 high school standouts along with two junior college talents, a class that is No. 10 in Baseball America’s initial rankings.

Included in this year’s class of signees are prep standouts CJ Abrams (Alpharetta, Ga.), Myles Austin (Smyrna, Ga.), Blake Bennett (Haleyville, Ala.), Zane Denton (Brentwood, Tenn.), Owen Diodati (Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada), William Hamiter (Tuscaloosa, Ala.), Garrett Hester (Dade City, Fla.), Logan Keller (Longwood, Fla.), Andrew Pinckney (Peachtree City, Ga.), Connor Prielipp (Tomah, Wis.), Dowd Ritter (Mountain Brook, Ala.) and Peyton Wilson (Hoover, Ala.). Along with the high school signees, the Tide added junior college talents in Ryan O’Connell (Wabash Valley (Ill.) Community College) and Britt Sparks (Shelton State Community College).

“I’m so excited about this group,” said Bohannon. “This recruiting class is representative of how I expect our team to be over time. This is a very deep, balanced group with a good mix of left-right, strength and athleticism. In addition to physical talent, I’m every bit as excited about their intangibles. These young men are great kids with families to match, and they have a burning desire to win all while reaching their maximum potential.”

The Crimson Tide’s class is rated No. 10 by Baseball America, joining six other SEC teams that rank amongst the publication’s top 12 classes in the initial rankings. The Tide cemented its standout recruiting class with nine of the 12 high school players signed being ranked in the top 10 of their respective state by Perfect Game USA. Five of the Tide’s signees hail from Alabama, including the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 players in the state. The 2019-20 class also includes players from the states of Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee and Wisconsin, in addition to one Canadian from Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Men’s Tennis

The Alabama men's tennis team added Avi Shugar from Eugene, Oregon to the program head coach George Husack announced on Thursday.

“Avi is a tremendous fit for our program,” said Husack. “We learned a lot about him during the recruiting process both as an athlete and as a person. He has a such a supportive family that has shaped him into the young man he is today. When you get a great feel about someone on and off the court, as well as how they represent themselves and their family name, then it’s a green light all the way.”

Men's golf

Head coach Jay Seawell announced the addition of three standout prep golfers who have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Crimson Tide for the 2018-19 season. The trio of Tyler Lipscomb (Carrolton, Ga.), Thomas Ponder (Dothan, Ala.) and Simms Abney (Madison, Miss.) have signed to become the newest members of the men’s golf program.

“I am really excited about the three guys in our 2019 class,” Seawell said. “First off, they are very talented and will be great additions to our program. They are guys that fit what the Alabama golf program is all about. They have high character, are great students and love to compete. They have developed a close friendship throughout the recruiting process and will be great teammates. I look forward to helping them develop and watching them grow and helping us compete for championships.”

Women's Golf

The Alabama women’s golf program opened the early signing period by signing Caroline Curtis of Richmond, Va. and Emilie Øverås of Ålesund, Norway to national letters of intent.

“We could not be more excited about our 2019 class,” head coach Mic Potter said. “Caroline Curtis and Emilie Øverås are outstanding student-athletes and will be perfect additions to our roster. We want to thank Tony and Kelly Curtis and Arve and Nina Øverås for trusting the University of Alabama to guide their daughters academically and athletically through their college experience.”