CARSON CITY - Four Western Nevada College baseball student athletes are signing
with Division I programs during the early signing period that began this week. Players
include:
Taylor Smart – a sophomore second baseman signing with the University of Tennessee
of the Southeastern Conference. He was named to the Scenic West Athletic Conference
First Team last season. “Smart hit in the two hole for most of the season and was
in the top five for the conference in on-base percentage and walks,” Head Coach
DJ Whittemore said. He also added nine stolen bases and 34 hits. "Taylor has really
grown in the past year and a half as player, person, student, and leader. His growth
is a big reason our team is confident heading into the 2012 season."
Andrew Woeck – a sophomore and right-handed pitcher signing with North Carolina
State University of the Atlantic Coast Conference. According to Whittemore, "Andrew
is our top returning pitcher and someone we know we can count on to pitch big ball
games. Woeck won seven games last season and pitched brilliantly in the Region XVIII
championship game, including the last 6 1/3 innings of scoreless two-hit ball."
Chris Woolley – a sophomore shortstop signing with the University of San Diego of
the West Coast Conference. Wooley was named to the Scenic West All-Conference First
Team last season after leading the Wildcats hitting in the leadoff position. Woolley
was WNC’s leading hitter, batting .337 on the season and driving in 35 runs. "Chis
was THE leader on our team last season,” Whittemore said, even though there were
seven sophomores in the starting lineup. “That tells you the type of player he is
right there. He is so consistent with his competitive drive that I haven’t really
seen him play a poor game yet."
Alex Schmidt – a freshman third baseman who will sign with the University of Washington
of the PAC-12. "Alex turned down a couple of different D-I opportunities out of
high school to come play at WNC.” Whittemore said, “so it comes as no surprise that
he is signing early with a great program such as Washington. His work ethic and
talent will make him a big part of our team."
