Furman Baseball Signs Eight

Dec. 8, 2009

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head baseball coach Ron Smith today announced the signing of eight players to national letters of intent, including six from South Carolina.

"We are very happy with this group and pleased we could stay in state for several of them," said Smith on Tuesday. "Coach (Britt) Reames and coach (Jeff) Whitfield deserve a tremendous amount of credit for identifying these fine young men and their talent and getting them to Furman."

INF/RHP Alex Abrams, a 2009 High School Sports Report All-State selection from Charleston's Bishop England High School, headlines the state signees, which also include outfielders Heath and Hunter Burton from Palmetto High School in Williamston, LHP Robert Landers from Greenville's J.L. Mann High School, LHP Ian McKinney from Spartanburg's Dorman High School, and Greer native Taylor Johnson, a INF/RHP at USC Lancaster.

The Paladins also inked Brant Masters, a 1B/RHP from Lakeland (Fla.) High School and INF Kevin O'Leary from Wesleay (Ga.) High School.

Furman opens its 2010 season on Feb. 19 against Michigan State at Fluor Field.

2009 Furman Baseball Signees

Alex Abrams, INF/RHP, 6-1, 190, Charleston, S.C. (Bishop England H.S.)

Heath Burton, OF, 5-8, 160, Williamston, S.C. (Palmetto H.S.)

Hunter Burton, INF/OF, 5-8, 160, Williamston, S.C. (Palmetto H.S.)

Robert Landers, LHP, 6-3, 220, Greenville, S.C. (J.L. Mann H.S.)

Brant Masters, 1B/RHP, 6-3, 225, Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland H.S.)

Ian McKinney, LHP, 5-11, 155, Spartanburg, S.C. (Dorman H.S.)

Kevin O'Leary, INF, 6-1, 165, Norcross, Ga. (Wesleyan H.S.)

Taylor Johnson, INF, 6-1, 195, Jr., Greer, S.C. (USC Lancaster)