Aug. 23, 2011
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By Sarah Tarasewicz
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A total of five Major League Draft Picks highlight the 2011-12 UCF baseball signing class which was released Tuesday by head coach Terry Rooney. Of the 13 players set to join the Knights this season, seven are pitchers including four southpaws.
"I am extremely excited to announce the arrival of this recruiting class," Rooney said. "I am confident this will be regarded as one of the top classes in the nation. As we build upon the postseason success of our club last year, it is imperative that we continue to attract the best talent in the country to UCF. I feel we have achieved that goal with this group of players."
Freshman right-hander Ryan Meyer (Oviedo, Fla.), freshman right-hander Garrett Nuss (Sorrento, Fla.), freshman southpaw Eric Skoglund (Sarasota, Fla.) and freshman infielder Tommy Williams (North Palm Beach, Fla.) were all selected in the 2011 MLB Draft, while junior right-hander Roman Madrid (Victoria, Texas) was taken in the MLB Draft in 2009.
Including Meyer, Nuss, Skoglund and Williams, the 2011-12 signing class boasts 10 players from the state of Florida, which includes two that call central Florida home in Meyer and freshman outfielder/southpaw JoMarcos Woods (Orlando, Fla.). The class also includes one player from Arizona and one each from Texas and Washington
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Class B/T Hometown (Previous School)Erik Barber OF 5-9 180 Fr. R/R Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland)Nick Carrillo UTIL 6-2 215 Jr. L/R Glendale, Ariz. (Central Arizona CC)Chase Darhower IF 6-3 185 Fr. R/R Niceville, Fla. (Niceville)Harrison Hukari LHP 6-6 250 Fr. L/L St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg)Dale Irving C 5-11 190 Fr. R/R Lynn Haven, Fla. (Mosley)Roman Madrid RHP 6-1 190 Jr. R/R Victoria, Texas (McLennan CC)Ryan Meyer RHP 6-5 190 Fr. R/R Oviedo, Fla. (Oviedo)Garrett Nuss RHP 6-2 185 Fr. R/R Sorrento, Fla. (Mount Dora)Jimmy Reed LHP 6-0 165 Jr. L/L Mount Vernon, Wash. (Skagit Valley College)Eric Skoglund LHP 6-5 180 Fr. L/L Sarasota, Fla. (Sarasota)James Vasquez IF 6-0 205 Fr. L/L Palm City, Fla. (Martin County)Tommy Williams IF 6-2 175 Fr. R/R North Palm Beach, Fla. (Palm Beach Gardens)JoMarcos Woods OF/LHP 5-7 170 Fr. L/L Orlando, Fla. (The First Academy)="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/pre%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Chr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbig%3E%3Ca%20href="/roster.aspx?rp_id=167" class="imported_story_link" oldlink="/sports/m-basebl/mtt/barber_erik00.html">Erik Barber
Fr. - OF - 5-9, 180
Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for head coach Bob Gendron at Lakeland High School, earning four letters as an outfielder
-Named LHS's Best Offensive Player in 2011
-Was an Honorable Mention selection for the All-Star Game as a junior
-In 2009, won the Junior Olympics with the All American Prospects
-Earned Freshman of the Year and Most Improved Player awards as a rookie in 2008
-Also lettered one year on the football team under head coach Bill Castle
Personal
-Born Nov. 19, 1992, in Lake Alfred, Fla.
-Son of Kerry and Rhen Barber
-Has one sister, Angel
Nick Carrillo
Jr. - UTIL - 6-2, 215
Glendale, Ariz. (Central Arizona CC)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played two seasons at Central Arizona Community College for head coach Jon Wente
-Led his team to the 2011 Junior College World Series Championship Game
-Named to the 2011 Junior College World Series All-Tournament Team after hitting .409 in the series with 10 runs scored
-Played for head coach Jeff Baumgartner at Sandra Day O'Connor High School, earning four letters as a catcher, pitcher, first baseman and outfielder
-Three-time all-region first team selection
-Three-time member of the Arizona Republic All-State Team
-Garnered Arizona Baseball Coaches Association All-State Second Team accolades as a senior, while also being named to the All-Star team
-In 2008, was named to the All-West Valley Baseball Team, All-Phoenix Baseball Team and was also a member of the Rawlings/Perfect Game Preseason West Region All-High School Senior Team
-Tied the 5A State record and set O'Connor HS record with three home runs in a single game
-Placed second in the 2008 Power Showcase International Home Run Derby at Tropicana Field
-Hit the "Longest Home Run" at the event with a 476-foot bomb
Personal
-Born Nov. 13, 1989, in Glendale, Ariz.
-Son of Larry and Karen Carrillo
Chase Darhower
Fr. - IF - 6-3, 185
Niceville, Fla. (Niceville)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for head coach Gerry McDermott at Niceville High School, earning three letters as an infielder and a pitcher
-Two-time Under Armour Preseason All-America selection
-Two-time Perfect Game Underclassman Preseason All-America High Honorable Mention honoree
-Rawlings Preseason Florida All-Region Second Team honoree in 2011
-As a senior, hit .328 with eight doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI in 26 games played
-Also earned two letters in football as a strong safety and outside linebacker
-In 2011, was named an all-area honorable mention pick
-Was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and received the Anne T. Mitchell All-County High Honor Award
Personal
-Born Jan. 12, 1993, in Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
-Son of Rob and Stacey Darhower
-Has one sister, Meghan, who played softball at Michigan State
Harrison Hukari
Fr. - LHP - 6-6, 250
St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for head coach Stefan Futch at St. Petersburg High School, earning four letters as a pitcher and first baseman
-Participated in the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., as a senior
-Went 5-5 with a 3.59 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched
-As a junior, hit .312 with nine doubles, two home runs and 18 RBI
-Won the 18u BCS Finals tournament with the St. Louis Pirates in 2009, pitching a no-hitter during the event
Personal
-Born Oct. 22, 1992, in St. Louis, Mo.
-Son of Scott and Kim Hukari
-Has three brothers, Hunter, Hayes and Heath
-His mother, Kim, played field hockey at Richmond and was an alternate for the Olympic team
Dale Irving
Fr. - C - 5-11, 190
Lynn Haven, Fla. (Mosley)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for head coach Todd Harless at Mosley High School, earning four letters as a catcher
-2011 Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State selection for hitting .425 with five homr runs and 33 RBI
-Also named all-county for the third-straight season
-Named MHS's Most Valuable Player as both a junior and senior
-Earn an invitation to the Under Armour Preseason All-America Tournament in 2011
-Named the top prospect in Pensacola by Baseball Factory
-Twice named to the Academic All-State team
-Hit .431 with four home runs and 26 RBI as a junior
-Earned an invitation to the 2010 East Coast Pro Showcase in Jackson, Miss.
-Garnered his team's Gold Glove Award in his sophomore campaign
-Also earned two letters in football
-Was a member of the BETA Club and National Honor Society
Personal
-Born Aug. 29, 1993, in Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
-Son of Mark and Rachel Irving
-Has one sister, Mari
Roman Madrid
Jr. - RHP - 6-1, 190
Victoria, Texas (McLennan CC)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for head coach Pete Mejia at McLennan Community College where he was named first team all-conference as a closer
-Earned four letters under head coach Manuel Alvarado at Victoria Memorial High School
-Drafted in the 44th round by the Cleveland Indians in 2009 as a catcher
-Garnered all-state third team accolades, as well as first team all-district and first team all-area honors as a third baseman in 2009
-Named the team's MVP three seasons (2006, 2008, 2009)
-As a junior, was a second team all-district selection as a catcher and a first team all-area pick as a designated hitter
Personal
-Born Feb. 26, 1991, in Hobbs, N.M.
-Son of Rick and Nancy Madrid
-Has two sisters, Nia and Natalia
Ryan Meyer
Fr. - RHP - 6-5, 190
Oviedo, Fla. (Oviedo)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for head coach Harold Hitt at Oviedo High School, earning four letters as a pitcher
-Drafted in the 32nd round by the Baltimore Orioles in 2011
-Earned the Jack Blanton Award and Scholarship as a senior
-Named to the 2011 Florida All-Region First Team and was invited to play in the all-star game
-Was twice named a National Underclass Honorable Mention selection, before being picked for the second team in 2010
-Earned an invitation to the 2010 East Coast Pro Showcase
-Was also a member of the National Honor Society
-Played summer ball for the Orlando Scorpions, where him and his team were Junior Olympic Champions, BCS Champions and WWBA World Champions
-Also played in the Down Under Goodwill Series in Australia
Personal
-Born Nov. 9, 1991, in Hagerstown, Md.
-Son of Mike and Tere Meyer
-Has one brother, Doug
Garrett Nuss
Fr. - RHP - 6-2, 185
Sorrento, Fla. (Mount Dora)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for head coach Frank Scott at Mount Dora High School, earning four letters as a pitcher and first baseman
-Drafted in the 32nd round by the New York Yankees in 2011
-Rawlings All-America First Team
-Rawlings All-Region First Team
-All-Central Florida Baseball First Team
-Led Mount Dora to the state final for the first time in school history in 2011
-Went 11-1 on the mound with a 0.86 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 66 innings pitched as a senior
-Named to the 2011 PG National Top Prospect List and was ranked in the Top 100 by Baseball America
-Was the first high school pitcher to participate in the Central Florida Collegiate Summer League, where he led the league in strikeouts
-Played summer ball for the Orlando Scorpions
-Earned an invitation to the 2011 East Coast Pro Showcase
-Participated in the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars and the WWBA World Championship and was a member of the Florida Diamond Club
Personal
-Born April 15, 1993, in Winter Park, Fla.
-Son of Gary Nuss and Darlene West
-Has one brother, Jon Ahmad, and one sister, Jenna Ahmad
-His uncle, Ed Nuss, played baseball for the Boston Red Sox
Jimmy Reed
Jr. - LHP - 6-0, 165
Mount Vernon, Wash. (Skagit Valley College)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played two seasons at Skagit Valley College for head coach Ben Silva
-Posted a 4-2 record with a 1.98 ERA, 16 saves and 71 strikeouts
-His 16 saves and 38 relief appearances were both program records
-Selected to the NWAACC North Division First Team as a freshman and to the Second Team as a sophomore
-Was also selected to the NWAACC All-Academic Team in 2011
-Earned two letters at Lewis and Clark High School under head coach Dexter Davis
-Named to the 2011 All-Greater Spokane League First Team and helped lead his squad to the District 8 Championship
-Garnered the NECA/IBEW Award for superior balance in athletics, academics and community involvement
Personal
-Born May 20, 1991, in Tacoma, Wash.
-Son of Bill Reed and Cathy DeHart
-Has three brothers, Scotty, Josh and Connor, and one sister, Amanda
Eric Skoglund
Fr. - LHP - 6-5, 180
Sarasota, Fla. (Sarasota)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for head coach Clyde Metcalf at Sarasota High School, earning two letters as a pitcher
-Drafted in the 16th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011
-Posted a 3.00 ERA in 40 innings pitched as a senior
-In his junior campaign, was 4-0 on the mound with a 0.66 ERA in 34 innings of work
-His 0.66 ERA was the lowest in the country in 2010 and was the fourth lowest mark in SHS program history
-In 2011, SHS won the 6A District Championship
-Helped his squad to a 18-0 start in 2010, which was the best start in the country
Personal
-Born Oct. 26, 1992, in Sarasota, Fla.
-Son of Len and Cindi Skoglund
-Has two brothers, Jordan and Justin
James Vasquez
Fr. - IF - 6-0, 205
Palm City, Fla. (Martin County)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for head coach Jerry Smith at Martin County High School, where he earned four letters as a first baseman and outfielder
-Named the Treasure Coast Player of the Year in his senior campaign
-Was an all-area first team selection in 2010, after earning second team recognition in 2009
-Garnered all-area honorable mention accolades as a rookie
-Played summer ball with FTB Mizuno
-Placed second at both the WWBA Championship in East Cobb and the WWBA Championship in Jupiter
Personal
-Born Nov. 8, 1992, in Palm City, Fla.
-Son of Pedro and Lisa Vasquez
-Has two brothers, Ryan and Jeremy
Tommy Williams
Fr. - IF - 6-2, 175
North Palm Beach, Fla. (Palm Beach Gardens)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for head coach Joe Russo at Palm Beach Gardens High School, where he earned three letters as a shortstop
-Drafted in the 20th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011
-Was a three-time all-conference selection
Personal
-Born March 11, 1993, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
-Son of Tom and Mary Williams
-Has one brother, Matthew
JoMarcos Woods
Fr. - OF/LHP - 5-7, 170
Orlando, Fla. (The First Academy)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for head coach Darrell Don at The First Academy, earning four letters as an outfielder and a pitcher
-Named the District 8 Player of the Year after hitting .500 with five home runs as a senior
-Also garnered all-state and all-conference accolades in 2011
-Was named all-district, all-conference and all-state as a junior after hitting .484 with four home runs
-Hit .411 in his sophomore campaign
-Played summer ball for the Orlando Scorpions, winning the WWBA Championship
-Played for the 16U USA Baseball team that defeated Cuba, 7-6, to win the World Championship
Personal
-Born June 8, 1993, in Orlando, Fla.
-Son of Marta Woods
-Has two brothers, C.J. and Jose, and two sisters, Destiny and Denissa