BUIES CREEK, N.C.—Campbell’s baseball program and head baseball coach Greg Goff has announced the first four commitments of his second recruiting class. Blake Boyce, Matt Marksberry, Logan Self, and Noah Zipko all inked commitments, and expect to be a part of Fighting Camel baseball starting during the 2009-10 school year.
Goff, entering his second season at Campbell, coached the Orange and Black to some impressive feats in his first campaign including his inaugural squad setting five school records, establishing a top ten nationally ranked single-season turnaround, and having two players, Justin Lilly and Brandon Scott, sign professional contracts. With the professional contracts of Lilly and Scott, Coach Goff’s 14-year career total now stands at 34 players that have signing professional contracts including seven with major leagues experience. After averaging 35 wins per season through his first five years as a head coach, Goff is looking for the combination of his first two recruiting classes to vault Campbell to new heights.
“Our coaching staff, Justin Haire, Aubrey Blackwell and John Caddell, have put a lot of time and effort into bringing one of the most highly recognized classes in recent years to Buies Creek,” said Coach Goff.
“This outstanding recruiting class fulfills some of the depth that we couldn’t cover in our first class here at Campbell. I’m thrilled that these guys believe in what we are doing in our program and want to be a part of something special. All of these young men are committed student-athletes that had a lot of different schools to choose from, and I am very thankful that they want to come and play for Campbell. All of these young men have the potential to do some great and exciting things before they leave the program.”
Boyce comes to Buies Creek following a career as a four-year starter at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, Va. The 6’3’’ 215 pound catcher had an impressive junior season in which he hit .380 with four home runs, 21 RBIs, and was named First Team All-District. He was also nominated for the 18 and under Team USA, named a 2008 Under Armor Pre-Season All-American, and played in the 2008 Virginia Commonwealth Games. In addition, Boyce earned the 2008 First Colonial High School Male Athlete of the Year award. He was also ranked as the #16 player and the #1 catcher in the state of Virginia by Impactbaseball.com.
Goff on Boyce:
“Blake is one of the top prospects out of the state of Virginia. He is a big, strong, athletic catcher that has a chance to do some great things in his career at Campbell. His presence behind the plate will be a great addition to our program. With his power potential and consistency as a hitter, Blake will give us a big threat in the middle of the order for four years.”
Marksberry, a 6’1” 195 pound left-handed pitcher from Batavia, Ohio, comes to Campbell after a decorated career at Glen Este High School. Marksberry went 6-2 with 59 strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA as a junior. He earned both First Team All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference and 2008 Cincinnati Enquirer First Team All-City honors. He was selected to the Ohio Champions Baseball Elite All-Star team in both 2007 and 2008, and pitched for ‘Team Ohio’ in the Blue/Grey Nationals this fall. Marksberry was also ranked as the #9 player in the state of Ohio, and the #2 ranked lefty in the state by PGCrosschecker.com.
Goff on Marksberry:
“Matt, one of the top prospects in Ohio, is a hard throwing lefty that will have a chance to come in and throw early in his career. He is a very competitive pitcher that has a lot of potential to do some great things while he is here at Campbell. With his plus fastball, and outstanding breaking ball he will be ready to push for a lot of innings as a freshman.”
Self, a 6’2” 185 pound right-hand pitcher/infielder from Summerfield, N.C., will enter Buies Creek as the first Division I signee from Veritas Sports Academy in Kernersville, NC. Playing in the first-year program, Self will be a team leader after an outstanding junior campaign at NW Guilford High School. As a junior, he earned All-Conference Metro 4A honors after batting .340 with six home runs, 16 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases, and producing a 7-3 record with a 1.85 ERA on the mound. Self is a three-time all-state selection, was named to the 2008 North Carolina State Games, and earned a full scholarship to the prestigious Veritas Sports Academy in August. Self was also ranked as the #46 player in the state of North Carolina by PGCrosschecker.com.
Goff on Self:
“Logan is a very versatile player that will have a chance to play both as a pitcher, and as an infielder early on in his career. He has really developed over the last four months with all the work that he has put in at his new school. We are very excited about Logan and the outstanding skills he has as a baseball player. He gives us a great two-way player for the next four years.”
Zipko, another product of the Buckeye state, comes to CU as a 6’1” 190 pound infielder from Oxford, Ohio. He has been named the two-time ‘Outstanding Defensive Player” for Talawanda High School, while also earning First Team All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference for two straight years. Zipko, like Marksberry, was named to the Ohio Champions Baseball Elite All-Star team in 2007 and 2008. He has also played with the elite Midland Baseball organization throughout the summer. Zipko is an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. He was also graded out as the #1 shortstop in Ohio by Thebuckeyescout.com.
Goff on Zipko:
“Noah is one of the top rated infielders in the Midwest, and is a great athlete that will have an immediate impact as a freshman. He is the type of player that everyone enjoys being around with his great passion for the game, and his tremendous work ethic. Noah believes in what we are doing here at Campbell and has committed to getting us where we want this program to go.”
Courtesy: GoCamels.com