Nov. 24, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford baseball program recently announced its early signees for the 2011 recruiting class. Today we continue to feature each of those additions. Today's featured signee is Cole Limbaugh.

Cole Limbaugh (P/Util, 6'5, 180, Childersburg High School, Childersburg, Ala.) is a tall, athletic two way player from Childersburg High School. Limbaugh is a high velocity right-handed pitcher who also handles the bat well as the top hitter on his high school team as a junior.

"Cole has really developed over the last couple of years," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "We had him at our camp this summer and he performed really well on the mound and at the plate. He has a great frame that projects well for the future, but we expect him to contribute right away."

As a junior, he led the team in hitting with a .388 batting average, 29 RBI and six home runs. He also scored 26 runs and stole eight bases. On the mound he struck out 51 hitters in 43 innings with a 3.20 earned run average on his way to being named his team's Most Valuable Player. Limbaugh was equally impressive his sophomore season where he was honored as both All-County and State honors. He hit .376, with two home runs, 39 RBI, 29 runs scored and nine stolen bases. On the mound he struck out 26 hitters to only five walks, posted a 2.83 earned run average with a record of 2-0 with four saves.

Limbaugh's versatility is expected to be a great asset with the limited roster.

"With the rule change the last couple of years limiting the roster to 35 players it is more helpful if you have guys who can legitimately help on the mound and as a hitter," Dunn said. "Cole is very athletic and has shown some defensive ability and power at the plate."