HARTSVILLE, S.C. -- Coker College baseball is excited to announce the signing of eight new recruits for the 2020 season.
The Cobras have signed Cooper Sain (Cherryville High School), Chris Watkins (Ashley Ridge High School), Jon Barham (Hanahan High School), Allen Coye (Rock Hill High School), Cole Hales (Jesse Carson High School), Trenton Wood (East Lincoln High School), Nick Leonard (Ronald Reagan High School), and Jared Whittle (Nease High School).
Chris Watkins is a pitcher from Ashley Ridge High School in Ladson, South Carolina. He played baseball for the Swamp Foxes where he set the school record with 18 strikeouts in a single game. Watkins played travel ball with the Palmetto Rays, winning the national championship during the 2014-15 season. He's the son of Tony and Kelly Watkins, and brother of Anthony. Chris plans to major in exercise science at Coker.
Jon Barham is a catcher from Hanahan High School in Hanahan, South Carolina. He played baseball and football for the Hawks where he was named Defensive Player of the Year, batted .312 and threw out 50% of potential base stealers in his junior season. He played travel ball with Carolina Combat, and off the field was a Principal's High Honor Roll recipient four consecutive years. He's the son of Jon and Carrie Barham, and brother of Connor and Abby. Jon plans to major in education at Coker.
Allen Coye is a catcher from Rock High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He played baseball for the Bearcats while participating in travel ball with the Carolina Reds. Off the field, he was a member of National Honors Society, Beta Club, and Business Professionals of America. He's the son of Jennifer and Wesley Coye, and the brother of Kaitlyn. Allen plans to major in exercise science at Coker.
Cole Hales is a second baseman from Jesse Carson High School in Salisbury, North Carolina. He played baseball and basketball for the Cougars where he was he a member of the two-time North Piedmont Conference Tournament champions. He played travel ball with the Charlotte Megastars, and off the field was a member of National Honor Society. He's the son of Rob and Nicole Hales, and plans to major in sport management at Coker.
Trenton Wood is a pitcher from East Lincoln High School in Denver, North Carolina. He played baseball, football, and swam for the Mustangs where he compiled a 1.60 ERA with 61 strikeouts over 43 innings during his junior season. He played travel ball with the Dry Pond Bluesox and was selected to the Perfect Game All-Tournament team, and selected as a Perfect Game Preseason All-American. Off the field he was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, and Pep Club. He's the son of Gerald and Rebecca Wood, and brother of Avery Wood.
Nick Leonard is a first baseman/outfielder from Ronald Reagan High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He played baseball for the Raiders where he batted .300 during their run to the final eight in the state 4A playoffs. Leonard played travel ball for the Carolina Rockies, and was selected to the Perfect Game 16U WWBA National Championship All-Tournament team. He's the son of David and Amy Leonard, and brother of Conner. Nick plans to major in computer science at Coker.
Jared Whittle is an outfielder from Nease High School in St. Augustine, Florida. He played baseball for the Panthers where he earned the 2017 Hustle Award while playing for the 2017 7A State Champions. Whittle played travel ball with the First Coast Bucs, leading his team with a .400 batting average. Off the field, he was a three-time Academic Excellence Award Winner, and member of the National Technical Honor Society. He's the son of Greg and Angelina Whittle, and plans to major in biology at Coker.
The Cobras begin their 2019 season with a four-game series against Chowan (Feb. 2-3).