Virginia Intermont News
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 - [Baseball]
Head Baseball Coach Josh Swain and the Baseball Staff at Virginia Intermont College are proud to announce the signing of 10 athletes for the upcoming 2010-2011 baseball season. The 10 member class includes six junior college transfers, and four high school graduates.  

 

"We are very excited to have a group of athletes of this caliber in our program," Swain stated. "Not only are they tremendous baseball players but they are good students and even better people.  They will make a positive impact on our community, our institution and our program and we are pleased to have them as part of our Cobra family."

Roman Birch: 6'1, 187 lb junior outfielder from Danville Community College (VA). Birch is a talented defender who can play all three outfield positions and provides pop from the left side of the plate. Hit a program record .483 with 4 hr, and 47 rbi's, while adding 16 doubles , 6 triples, and 12 stolen bases as he was named first team all-conference for the Knights and Head Coach John Bailey. Birch brings a 3.0 gpa to Bristol and plans on majoring in Social Work with a minor in Psychology.

Billy Bretz: 6'2, 210 lb junior outfielder/rhp from Mountain Top, PA and Cecil Community College (MD). Bretz can play either corner outfield position as well as designated hitter and will be counted on as a valuable run producer. Bretz hit .412 with 11 HR and 33 rbi's for the Seahawks and Coach Charles O'Brien and will provide the Cobras with an offensive presence in the middle of the order. A three pitch pitcher with good velocity, Bretz will also make an immediate impact on the Cobra rotation. Bretz was a teammate of current Cobra pitcher Sean Shehan. 

Montana Brigman: 6'0, 215 lb junior catcher from Monroe, NC and Surry Community College (NC). Brigman brings added depth to the catcher's position and the long ball threat to the Cobra lineup. Defensively, Brigman was a wall behind the dish and finished with a .992 fielding percentage, making only 1 error in 35 games and throwing out 11 would be base stealers.  Offensively, Brigman hit .232 but blasted a team high 9 HR and 22 rbi's. Brigman was a teammate of current Cobras Lucas Dobbins, Frankie McAteer, Jonathon Basinger, and new signee Andrew Jessup.

Jon Dean: 5'10, 185 lb freshman catcher from Coeburn, VA and Coeburn High School. Dean etched his name into the Coeburn record book as he completed his storied baseball career, finishing his senior season hitting over .500 with 11 HR and a school record 54 rbi's. Dean ended his high school career two homeruns shy of the career mark and was a two-time Cumberland District Player of the Year, as well as all-region, all-state and was the Kingsport Times News 1st teamer behind the plate. Dean was also a member of the East squad at the 2010 VHSL all-star game and plans on majoring in History.

Andrew Jessup: 6'1, 215 lb junior lhp/first baseman from Stuart, VA and Surry Community College (NC). A former high school teammate of current Cobra infielder Greg Cassady, Jessup is a talented two-way standout who will be counted heavily as a run producer and as a starting pitcher. Jessup is expected to compete for the 1st base bag vacated by the graduation of four year starter Tyler Coleman. While at Surry, Jessup hit .262 with 4 HR and 16 rbi's, and appeared in 11 games on the mound, finishing with a 1-3 record in 31 innings.

Dakota Katelouzos: 5'9, 165 lb freshman second baseman from Bristol, VA and Virginia High School. "D.K." comes to VI from the traditional baseball power at nearby Virginia High School, where he led the Bearcats to a state runner up finish in 2010. Katelouzos is expected to add depth to the middle infield and push for time at the top of the Cobra order. From his leadoff spot, Katelouzos hit .387 (.500 slg, .496 obp) with a team high 41 hits and 36 runs scored, while adding 13 stolen bases for the Bearcats and Head Coach Mark Daniels. Katelouzos finished the season with first team all-district, first team all-region and second team all-state selections. Katelouzos is also a standout in the classroom as he graduated Cum Laude with honors from VHS and will join former teammates Tyler Arnold and Robbie Stout on the Cobra roster.

Hunter Ovens: 6'1, 200 lb junior outfielder from Bradenton, FL and State College of Florida (formerly Manatee Community College). Ovens is a tremendous athlete who has the ability to turn heads around the A.A.C. with his offensive abilities and defensive prowess.  A former 25th round draft pick by the San Diego Padres, Ovens lead the Manatees to a Florida State Championship and a trip the 2010 JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado. Hunter earned All-Suncoast Conference Honors as well as a selection to the Florida JUCO Sophomore state All-Star game.   Ovens hit .342 with a team high 6 HR, 34 rbi's and 39 runs scored, and threw out 5 runners from his right field position. Ovens also received a football scholarship to Virginia Tech, following a standout career at Cardinal Mooney High.

David Tamutus: 6'4, 200 lb freshman pitcher from Syracuse, NY and West Hills High School. Tamutus was a high school teammate of current Cobra catcher, John Carbone. He's a tough right handed pitcher who should add immediate depth to the Cobra rotation. Tamutus' approach on the mound, accompanied with his ability to pound the strike zone and consistently dominate right handed hitters, make his Cobra debut an exciting one. He plans on majoring in Business Administration.

Wes Tester: 6'2, 155 lb. freshman pitcher from Louisa, VA and Louisa High School. Tester will add much needed depth the back end of the Cobra bullpen. A consistent strike thrower, Tester has the ability to eliminate "free" baserunners and will be counted on to add stability late in ball games. Tester has a great upside and will only get bigger and stronger in the Cobra weight room. Tester's major is undecided.

Tyler Turner: 6'2, 190 lb sophomore utility from Knoxville, TN and Columbia State Community College (TN). Turner comes to Bristol after a successful two sport career at Knox Halls High School.  On the diamond, Turner was a 2x All-District, 2x District Tournament and 2x All-Region performer. On the gridiron, Turner was a two-way standout playing Quarterback and Free Safety. He was a four time player of the week for the Red Devils.  Following high school, Turner completed a one year stint at Columbia State Community College where he spent time in the outfield and at first base, as well as designated hitter for the Chargers. He battled an injury for most of the season, but the lefty finished the spring hitting .260 with 5 2b's and 9 rbi's. Now healthy, Turner has the potential to be a major run producer for the Cobras and should enjoy the short right field porch at Devault Field. Turner plans on majoring in Biology.