ROCK HILL, SC – Winthrop head baseball coach Tom Riginos has announced the signing of nine players to NCAA National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.

Riginos' recruiting class for the fall of 2013 begins with five position players and four pitchers.

Clifton Bryant will join the Eagles from Trenton, FL and will play primarily first base.  Bryant earned four varsity baseball letters at Trenton High School.   Bryant was named to the Gainesville Sun All-Area First Team his sophomore and junior seasons.  Entering his senior season he was tabbed an Under Armour Preseason High School All-American.

Head Coach Tom Riginos on Clifton Bryant:
“Cliff is another great product from the state of Florida.  Cliff is going to be an impact left-handed hitter.  He has a natural left-handed swing.  Cliff has a chance to make a major impact on our program.”

Zachary Cook will add a right-handed arm to the Winthrop rotation.  Cook comes to the Eagles out of Milford High School in Milford, Ohio.  In earning four varsity baseball letters, Cook was named to the All-League First Team as a junior and tabbed as a Top 20 Ohio player and Top 500 National player.

Riginos on Zachary Cook:
“Zack is a big, strong pitcher with a low 90s fastball.  I am extremely excited to have Zack as a part of our program.  He is going to make a major impact on our pitching staff and has an extremely bright future.”

Cory Cremonese is an in-state talent from Boiling Springs, SC where he played at Boiling Springs High School.  Cremonese is a first baseman and outfielder.  He has earned three varsity baseball letters and was named as a 4A All-Region selection his sophomore and junior years.  He was the fourth-ranked first baseman out of South Carolina by Diamond Prospects.

Riginos on Cory Cremonese:
“Cory is a big, strong right-handed hitter that has a lot of power potential.”

Matthew Crohan will join the Eagles out of Riverhead High School in Jamesport, NY.  Crohan is a three-year letterwinner in baseball and ran cross country for one year.  Crohan was named his high school's baseball MVP his junior season.  He also participated in the East Coast Pro Showcase and the Team USA Under-17 National Team Development Program.

Riginos on Matthew Crohan:
“Matt is the most decorated recruit we have signed since we've been at Winthrop.  Matt has pitched on the national stage many times over the past year.  He is a big strong pitcher that has a fastball in the low 90s.  We are expecting big things out of him.”

Zachary Goodno will come to Winthrop as a catcher and pitcher from Indian River State College.  Goodno graduated from Colquitt County High School in 2011.  Goodno is one of the nation's top JUCO catchers and was an All-Conference selection last year at Indian River.

Riginos on Zachary Goodno:
“We are very fortunate to have Zac joining our program.  We had to recruit against some of the top programs in the country to get Zac.  Zac is one of the top junior college catching prospects in the state of Florida.  Zac will have a chance to come in and hit in the middle of the order for us.  He is not only a catcher but can play multiple positions.  Zac is going to make a major impact on our program.”

Justin Pace is a local product from Gastonia, NC where he was a pitcher and shortstop at South Point High School.  Pace was a member of the South Point state championship team in 2011 as well as the conference championship team from 2010-2012.  Pace was named to the All-Conference team in 2011 and 2012 and has garnered five scholar athlete awards.

Riginos on Justin Pace:
“Justin is a perfect match for our program.  He is an outstanding athlete with a great pitcher's frame.  He is going to have a chance to have an overpowering fastball.  Justin will compete for a lot of innings as a freshman.”

Dillon Palencia comes to Winthrop out of Broome High School in Spartanburg, SC.  Palencia is the ninth ranked outfielder in South Carolina by Diamond Prospects and was a South Carolina Palmetto Games participant.

Riginos on Dillon Palencia:
“Dillon is a speedy leadoff type of hitter.  He will fit nicely into our program.  Dillon will have a chance to play right away.  He is a natural type of leadoff hitter that we have recruited since we've been at Winthrop.”

Matthew Poole will join the Eagles as a transfer from USC Sumter.  Poole previously graduated from Broome High School in Spartanburg, SC.  In high school Poole led his team in innings pitched and wins his senior season and his team was the state runner-up.  He was ranked as one of the top JUCO pitchers in South Carolina.

Riginos on Matthew Poole:
“Matt comes from one of the best junior college programs in the state.  I am expecting big things from Matt next year.  He will bring experience to our pitching staff.”

Babe Thomas is another in-state talent that will join the Eagles.  Thomas will graduate from Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, SC where he is a catcher and outfielder.  Thomas was named to the All-State Team and the Region 7 4A All-Region Team last year.  He was also tabbed as a top three catcher in South Carolina y Diamond Prospects.  Thomas earned varsity letters in baseball for four years and football for three years at Wando.

Riginos on Babe Thomas:
“Babe is an outstanding athlete.  Not only is he a front-line catcher but he can also play the outfield very well.  He runs exceptionally well for a catcher and is very aggressive on the field.  He really plays the game hard.  He has a bright future in our program.”

The 2013 Eagles will begin their season at home on Friday, February 15, 2013 when they host a three-game series against Maryland Eastern Shore.