MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State Head Baseball Coach Mike McGuire has announced the addition of five student-athletes. Tyler Bigler, Julian Boswell, Nick Ford, Nick Newell and Steve Waldrop, will join the Eagle baseball program.
The spring signees include three pitchers, a middle infielder and an outfielder. Four of the new additions come from the junior college ranks, while one is finishing up his high school eligibility.
A native of Hollywood, Fla., Bigler comes to MSU as a transfer from Dyersburg State Community College. In his sophomore season at Dyersburg, he batted .342 with 13 doubles, two triples and a home run. He played his freshman season at Columbia State Community College, where he was part of a conference championship team.
Bigler was named First Team All-State following his senior year at Spring Hill High School, while also receiving several all-district and all-region honors throughout his high school career.
"Tyler is an athletic middle infielder, and plays with the energy and passion we are looking for,” McGuire said. “We think he will come in and make an impact right away."
Boswell, a right-hander from Champaign, Ill., is a transfer from Southeastern Community College where he racked up more than 100 strikeouts in his career. He recorded a 3.48 ERA over the span of his sophomore campaign, winning four games.
"Julian is the number one starter for a very good Southeastern CC program,” McGuire continued. “He has a power arm, and we expect him to compete for a spot in our rotation right away."
Hailing from Lafayette, Tenn., Ford also transfers in from Dyersburg State Community College. The righty established a 2.23 ERA over his sophomore season, picking up five saves in 15.1 innings pitched.
In his prep days at Macon County High School, Ford was named Team MVP and was an all-district selection following his senior season. His cousin, Adam Ford, plays minor league baseball in the San Diego Padres’ organization.
"Nick has a very good arm and brings experience at the back end of the bullpen,” McGuire said. “We expect him to make a major contribution on the mound right away."
Newell also started his collegiate career at Dyersburg State Community College, and is a native of Dyersburg, Tenn. In his only season at Dyersburg he drove in 37 runs and accumulated a .370 batting average while playing in the outfield.
In his high school career, he helped lead the Dyer County High School Choctaws to a state championship, followed by back-to-back region championship games while being named to all-district teams in each of his last two seasons.
"Nick is a good left-handed hitter who can play in all three outfield spots,” McGuire said. “We think his left-handed bat and outfield versatility should allow him to make an immediate impact."
The sole high school addition, Waldrop is a four-year letterwinner at Bolingbrook High School in his hometown of Bolingbrook, Ill. He was an all-conference and all-area selection following his junior campaign, and more than 100 career strikeouts and a 1.31 ERA thus far in his senior campaign.
"Steve really competes on the mound and has very good potential,” McGuire said. “He throws a lot of strikes and should continue to develop at the college level."
"I am very excited to add these five student-athletes to our program” McGuire continued. “After the fall signing period we set out to add impact arms, a middle infielder and an outfielder to our program in the spring, and I believe we have filled those needs with some experienced guys. I am very excited about the prospects of next year’s team."
