| Nov. 19, 2004
Contact: Matt Schabert (210) 458-4930 UTSA Baseball signs two to National Letters of Intent SAN ANTONIO - An all-state high school outfielder and an experienced transfer pitcher are the first two announced signees for The University of Texas at San Antonio head baseball coach Sherman Corbett during the fall signing period.
Josh Barnett, a 5-10, 170-pound outfielder from Lubbock, and Aaron Cunningham, a 6-2, 185-pound left-handed pitcher from The Woodlands, and a transfer from Bossier City (La.) Community College, will join the Roadrunners for the 2005-2006 season.
“Overall, I am pleased with our early signing period. Coach (Jason) Marshall did a tremendous job of identifying and recruiting players who can meet our needs that we will have next year. Josh Barnett and Aaron Cunningham will have an immediate impact for next year’s squad,” said Corbett. “These two players met two of the five needs we had. This is a great start, and we will fill our other needs in the spring.
A three-sport athlete, Barnett was named THSBCA all-State in 2004 as a junior at Cooper High School when he hit .519 with 55 hits, 43 RBIs and 62 runs scored. A speedster, he successfully stole 62 bases during his sophomore and junior seasons at Cooper with his senior year still in front of him. During this past summer, he posted a .441 batting average with 62 runs scored and 28 RBIs playing for the Burkburnett Blacksox team. Also a track standout, Barnett was a district champion in the long jump and 400 meter event and is helping the Cooper football team make a playoff run as a wide receiver/kick returner.
“Josh is a tremendous athlete competing in football, baseball and track at Lubbock Cooper. That athletic ability will be a tremendous asset for us in the outfield as he fills a need with the loss of three senior outfielders,” said Corbett. “Offensively, I see Josh in the lead-off position with the potential to steal a lot of bases."
Cunningham played one season at Centenary College before red-shirting and transferring to Bossier City Community College. He will enroll at UTSA as a junior and have two seasons of eligibilty remaining. As a freshman at Centenary in 2002, he posted an 8-6 record in 22 appreances with a 4.30 ERA. He transferred to BCCC this season and posted a 2.02 ERA with 45 strikeouts during the fall season. Cunningham relies on a four-pitch arsenal with a fastball topping out at 88 mph. He also throws a cutter, changeup and curveball.
“I look for Aaron to come to UTSA and be one of our weekend starters. He brings experience, the ability to win and four quality pitches with him,” said Corbett. “Aaron is a great sign for us. He has the potential to be one of the top pitchers in the league next year.
The Roadrunners, coming off a 27-31 season, open the 2005 season on Feb. 11 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
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