GAMECOCKBOY
06-23-2006, 08:33 AM
claironledger.com
By Ian R. Rapoport
irapopor@clarionledger.com
STARKVILLE — One of Mississippi State's gaping holes for the 2007 season appears to have been filled.
Mark Goforth, a Louisville Slugger freshman All-American center fielder, said Wednesday he is transferring from Birmingham-Southern to MSU.
Incumbent Joseph Hunter fulfilled his eligibility and is in the minor leagues. There is no true center fielder in the system. Goforth is eligible - and may play - immediately.
"(I chose MSU) mostly because of the tradition of the baseball program, and whenever they play, everything stops in town," said the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder from Covington, Tenn., who considered LSU, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Alabama. "And then the opportunity to play under Coach Ron Polk and Coach Tommy Raffo. I've got a couple buddies that play there, so it's going to be good to play with them."
Last month, BSC announced it was dropping from Division I athletics to D-III, which does not offer athletic scholarships, for the 2007-08 year.
Considering he hit .363, scored 56 runs and stole 27 bases in 29 tries as a freshman, Goforth does have the potential to fit right into MSU's lineup. While All-SEC lead-off hitter Jeffrey Rea plays in Cape Cod and considers signing a pro contract, Goforth could be at the top of the lineup if Rea doesn't return. He had a .428 on-base percentage for coach Brian Shoop, a former MSU assistant.
"Our coach gave me a lot of opportunities to succeed in the things I do well," Goforth said. "We run a lot and we bunt and those are two things I do well."
As per NCAA rules, Polk cannot comment on a transfer until he officially signs scholarship papers.
But following the season-ending loss to Clemson in the NCAA regionals, he cited the outfield as a major area of concern for this season. Hunter and left fielder Jeff Butts both exited.
"The outfield is going to get hurt a bit," Polk said. "With Butts and Hunter leaving, we've got some work to do there."
Maybe not so much now.
we've done," said Alvarez, who added he and Kennedy are good friends. "If David goes to Ole Miss and he's comfortable there and he calls me and his mom and says, 'This is where I want to be,' he'll sign with Ole Miss."
By Ian R. Rapoport
irapopor@clarionledger.com
STARKVILLE — One of Mississippi State's gaping holes for the 2007 season appears to have been filled.
Mark Goforth, a Louisville Slugger freshman All-American center fielder, said Wednesday he is transferring from Birmingham-Southern to MSU.
Incumbent Joseph Hunter fulfilled his eligibility and is in the minor leagues. There is no true center fielder in the system. Goforth is eligible - and may play - immediately.
"(I chose MSU) mostly because of the tradition of the baseball program, and whenever they play, everything stops in town," said the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder from Covington, Tenn., who considered LSU, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Alabama. "And then the opportunity to play under Coach Ron Polk and Coach Tommy Raffo. I've got a couple buddies that play there, so it's going to be good to play with them."
Last month, BSC announced it was dropping from Division I athletics to D-III, which does not offer athletic scholarships, for the 2007-08 year.
Considering he hit .363, scored 56 runs and stole 27 bases in 29 tries as a freshman, Goforth does have the potential to fit right into MSU's lineup. While All-SEC lead-off hitter Jeffrey Rea plays in Cape Cod and considers signing a pro contract, Goforth could be at the top of the lineup if Rea doesn't return. He had a .428 on-base percentage for coach Brian Shoop, a former MSU assistant.
"Our coach gave me a lot of opportunities to succeed in the things I do well," Goforth said. "We run a lot and we bunt and those are two things I do well."
As per NCAA rules, Polk cannot comment on a transfer until he officially signs scholarship papers.
But following the season-ending loss to Clemson in the NCAA regionals, he cited the outfield as a major area of concern for this season. Hunter and left fielder Jeff Butts both exited.
"The outfield is going to get hurt a bit," Polk said. "With Butts and Hunter leaving, we've got some work to do there."
Maybe not so much now.
we've done," said Alvarez, who added he and Kennedy are good friends. "If David goes to Ole Miss and he's comfortable there and he calls me and his mom and says, 'This is where I want to be,' he'll sign with Ole Miss."