In December of 2004, first-year head baseball coach Daron Schoenrock signed 14 players to his 2005-2006 squad, and now he's added four more in the late signing period. The group has pitchers, potential and a president.
Matt Yokley - P/1B
A 6-4, this P/1B recruit has the tools to come in and make an impact on the Tigers squad. Yokley went 7-1 in his senior season and helped his Collierville Dragon team to a 37-7 record. In four of the seven wins, Yokley did not allow a run.
"He's got a great swing and miss slider," Schoenrock said. "And he has the potential to be a tremendous closer."
Yokley can immediately help a Tigers' pitching staff that struggled last year with a 7.19 earned run average and allowed opponents to score 10 runs or more 22 times with a 1-21 record in those games.
While currently a better pitcher than hitter, Yokley can hold his own at the plate. During his senior season, he hit .435 with 44 RBI and three home runs.
Schoenrock said he thinks Yokley could be "the sleeper of the whole city."
Yokley is the only recruit in the late signing period to be drafted by a major league team (36th round - Cleveland Indians).
Kyle Norrid - 1B/3B
A transfer from UT-Knoxville, the former Volunteer wanted to come back home. Before he left for college, Norrid was rated a top 10 prospect in the state by Baseball America at Germantown High School.
"What he brings is experience, a middle-of-the-order type bat and the ability to make plays and defend 3rd base," Schoenrock said.
Norrid started 106 of the 109 games he played for the Vols and is gaining further experience in the Cape Cod League, a summer league for some of the best college players in the country. Currently, Norrid leads the Hyannis Mets with six RBI through 17 games. However, he also leads in strikeouts with 19. He's hitting .254.
Chris Novikoff - P
Novikoff could be the most intriguing signee during the late signing period. A towering pitcher at 6-foot-6, Novikoff has only played one season of high school baseball, but he didn't waste it. In 39 innings he struck out 61 batters for Class 1A Christian Academy of Knoxville. He finished his sole season with 3-2 record and a 2.87 ERA.
Although it's reported he tops out at 87 mph, Schoenrock said with his high release point Novikoff should be in the 90's eventually.
Home schooled for all but one year of his high school career, Novikoff hasn't faced the type of competition his fellow recruits have faced. Schoenrock said the jump to college baseball is a big one for Novikoff.
"He's a developmental type guy. He really flew under the radar (of colleges)," Schoenrock said.
Ben Grisham - Utility
The second of the transfer players, Grisham was stuck behind some good players at Mississippi State, according to Schoenrock. Grisham was offered the opportunity to win a spot on the field. Grisham has the ability to play infield and outfield, although outfield is most likely. He hit .310 at MSU. One of the most attractive attributes of Grisham to Schoenrock was his character. Grisham was valedictorian of his senior class and served as president of the Student Government Association.
"He has a very strong make-up," Schoenrock said. "His character is a very valuable tool. It creates a hard worker, and he's equipped to handle failure."
The Tigers finished the 2004-2005 season with a 13-42 overall record and a 5-25 mark in Conference USA.
