Dec. 10, 2007

NORFOLK, VA--Old Dominion University Head Baseball coach Jerry Meyers announced to the signing of seven recruits for the fall period. Phil McCarthy (RHP, Great Bridge HS, Chesapeake, VA.), Erick Baker (RHP, Elizabethtown Academy, Marrietta, PA.), Chris Hardee (RHP/catcher/1b, Manchester HS), Hunter Parrish (infielder, Great Bridge HS, Chesapeake, VA.), Shawn Sizemore (RHP/of, Menchville HS, Newport News, VA.), Brett Harris (RHP, Hickory HS, Chesapeake, Va.), and Chris Boggs, (Louisburg College, RHP, Manassas, VA.) signed letters of intent to play for the Monarchs in the 2008-09 season.

" Once again we have brought in an outstanding recruiting class in the early signing period, that will become a part of our program for the 2008-2009 year. Coaches Ryan Morris and Nate Goulet have done a tremendous job in identifying and securing this group that will make a major impact on the future of ODU Baseball. Not only have these young men achieved success on the field, but more importantly, they are quality people and students that will be counted on to make strong contributions while attending this great university. This class will help us continue to build on our tradition and in working toward achieving our goals of winning championships and competing on a national scale. These individuals give us an excellent start to our recruiting class as we look to add to it in the spring."

Phil McCarthy was 9-0 with 66 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 58.1 innings of work last year at Great Bridge High School for ODU Hall of Famer Wiley Lee ('87). He compiled a 2.16 ERA and was named first team All-Southeasten District, Second team All-Eastern Region and first team All-Tidewater. McCarthy was selected to the Central team in the Virginia Commonwealth Games.

Erick Baker, a pre-season Under Armor All-American is projected by Team One as a top 100 prospect and Perfect Game projects him as a top 250 prospect. He averaged nine strikeouts per game which ranked him third in Lancaster/Lebanon League. Baker was named first team All-section and All-League selection.

Chris Hardee compiled a 7-3 record with a 1.33 ERA. He hit .320 with six homers and was named team MVP. He is a two-time All-Academic Dominion District for both football and baseball. Hardee was selected to the Central Team in the Virginia Commonwealth Games.

Hunter Parrish, joins Great Bridge teammate Phil McCarthy in the Monarch family. Parrish is a pre-season All-American by Under Armor. He hit .400 with a .630 slugging percent and four homers. Parrish was selected first team All-Southeastern District and second Team All-Tidewater. He also earned Chesapeake All-Scholar honors.

Shawn Sizemore compiled a 1.96 ERA and led the Peninsula district with a .546 batting average along with five homers. He was named first team All-District, First team All-Region and honorable mention All-State outfielder. Sizemore was named First team Daily Press All-star and was selected to the East team in the Virginia Commonwealth Games. As a junior he was named second team All-District and Daily Press All-Star and was selected to the East team in the Virginia Commonwealth games. Sizemore will join fellow Menchville standout Robbie Watkins.

Brett Harris, a righthander from Hickory High School in Chesapeake was named first team All-Southeastern District and Chesapeake Scholar Athlete.

Chris Boggs compiled a 4-1 record with a 2.30 ERA at Louisburg Junior College. He fanned 46 batters in 54 innings of work. He compiled a 10-1 record at Osbourn High School in Manassas, Va. Boggs compiled a 10-1 record and earned first team All-Met, All-District and All-Region honors.