| Nov. 22, 2005
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. (210) 458-4930 UTSA Baseball Inks Five To National Letters Of Intent SAN ANTONIO - The University of Texas at San Antonio baseball team has announced the signing of five future Roadrunners to play at UTSA beginning in the 2006-07 season.
UTSA head coach Sherman Corbett has received commitments from five high schoolers. James Tankersley is a 6-2 right-handed pitcher from Corpus Christi, Texas, who played at Ray High School. Melvin Kelley is a 5-4 outfielder from Grand Prairie, Texas, where he played at South Grand Prairie High School. Hailing from Conroe, Texas, is Tyler Klein who is a 6-1 catcher from Oak Ridge High School. Ray Redding Jr. is a 6-7 right-handed thrower from Houston, Texas. Redding Jr. played at Lamar High School. Kevin Clarke, a 6-2 right-handed pitcher, joins the Roadrunners from Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Texas.
“I am extremely pleased with this initial signing class because it has the potential of being one of the best signing classes we have had in my tenure at UTSA,” said Corbett, who led UTSA to its second Southland Conference (SLC) Tournament championship and NCAA Regional appearance in 2005. "With the number of signees and the quality of these players, we have addressed a number of needs for next year. James, Ray and Kevin are the beginning of the next generation of pitchers here and will have an immediate impact on our staff. Melvin is an extremely gifted athlete that will bring speed into our lineup. Tyler solidifies our catching corps for the future. I appreciate the hard work Coach Marshall and Coach Blair have put into identifying quality prospective student-athletes that will continue to improve our program here at UTSA.”
Tankersley is physical right-handed pitcher, with closer type ability. His fastball runs between 88-92, along with a hard slider. He is also a two-way player with the ability to hit for power and play the outfield, first base and catcher.
Kelley is an experience leadoff hitter, who is a left-handed hitter and thrower that will see action in centerfield. He made the first cut at the prestigious Area Code tryouts this summer in Waco. The Texas Baseball News calls Kelley, “Little guy, but he can scoot, and he has great bat speed at the plate.”
Klein is a switch-hitting catcher whose primary position is catcher but can also play the infield. His throwing arm is consistent at 2.0 or better pop time to second base. Klein has strength to drive the ball from both sides of the plate.
Redding Jr. is a right-handed pitcher with velocity in the low to mid 80s right now but has shown gradual improvement in his velocity this summer. He has the capacity to throw strikes consistently with his fastball and breaking ball.
Clarke has shown with the ability to throw strikes. Has shown on multiple occasions the ability to throw the fastball from 84-89 and his slider at 77-78. Clarke posses a curveball and changeup with good mechanics.
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