TicketsNov. 16, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio---A total of four Ohio prep standouts have signed to become members of the University of Cincinnati baseball team for the 2008 season. The list includes Cincinnati's Chris Dixon and Hamilton's Justin Schultheiss, along with Lou Coppola of Youngstown and Nick Johnson from Delphos.
With only five seniors on the Bearcats' 2007 roster, head coach Brian Cleary has added just four newcomers during the early signing period, but anticipates additional signees in the spring period.
"As has been the case since we entered the BIG EAST and built Marge Schott Stadium, we have been involved with the recruitment of some elite athletes in this part of the country," Cleary said. "We are thrilled that these four top players have chosen to join our program. That they are all Ohio players and two are among the top players in the Cincinnati-area is of particular importance."
Dixon (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton), an infielder, will come to UC from the same high school that produced current Bearcat Josh Harrison. As a junior, Dixon was selected first team all-conference and won his team's batting title. He has already helped Princeton to a pair of league championships in his career. Dixon became a Bearcat after consideration from Kentucky, Evansville and Ohio.
Schultheiss (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) won three games for Hamilton as a junior, while striking out 24 in 23.1 innings of work. He also helped his team to a conference championship last year. Outside of baseball, Schultheiss has been a two-year member of the Hamilton High varsity basketball team and is active in the Future Educators of America. Schultheiss signed with the Bearcats after considering Louisiana Tech, Miami (Ohio) and Xavier.
Coppola (Youngstown, Ohio/Poland Seminary) is a right-handed pitcher that stands 6-8. A two-time letterwinner at Poland Seminary, Coppola helped his team to a district championship as a sophomore. He was chosen a first-team all-conference selection following his junior year. Coppola is also an accomplished basketball player, earning a pair of all-district accolades. He also considered Miami (Ohio) and West Virginia before choosing UC.
Like Coppola, Johnson (Delphos, Ohio/St. John's) is also a right-handed pitcher. In three years at St. John's, Johnson has been a two-time first team all-conference selection and was a second team All-Ohio choice as a junior. Johnson holds a 13-2 record with 192 strikeouts in two varsity seasons. He also has hurled three shutouts and one no-hitter. An accomplished quarterback on the football field, Johnson was a two-time all-conference pick and was MVP of the state championship game that his team won during his junior season. Johnson chose Cincinnati over Louisville, Ohio State, Clemson, Michigan and South Carolina.
"Given that we will lose such a small number of players this season, that translates into signing a small class at this time," Cleary continued. "Our practice has always been to recruit players during the fall that are among the elite and we have done that again this year. As we move into the season and can assess additional needs, we will continue to pursue more players."
Two of the nation's top recruiting services, Perfect Game and Buckeye Scout, both have the UC signees on their radar. Perfect Game rates players on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being a potential very high draft pick and nine a top-10 round pick. Coppola (9.5) and Johnson (9) were both on the high end of the scale, while Dixon was ranked at 7.5. On the Buckeye Scout rankings, both Coppola and Johnson are rated in the top five of the state as high Division I caliber players and potential draft picks.
UC opens the 2007 season in February, travelling to Florida Atlantic for its first series of the season.
Cincinnati 2008 Baseball SigneesFor each of the Bearcats signees, recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Brad Meador offers his view on the players skills and talents.
| Lou Coppola 6-8 230 RHP 2008 Eligibility: Freshman Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio Poland Seminary High 2006: First team all-conference selection. Meador's take: "Lou is a 6'8 230 lb RHP that has a very high ceiling. He is already pitching at a high level. We have seen him in the upper 80s. I think he is going to develop even more once he gets in our program, and he has a chance to help us right away." | |
| Lou Coppola | |
| Chris Dixon 5-10 170 INF 2008 Eligibility: Freshman Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio Princeton High 2006: First team all-conference selection and team batting champion. Meador's take: "Chris is one of the most athletic players in the state. Being a 6.5 runner and with his athleticism he has a chance to help us at a couple of different positions right away. He will also continue to develop in our program and has very high ceiling." | |
| Chris Dixon | |
| Nick Johnson 5-11 185 RHP 2008 Eligibility: Freshman Hometown: Delphos, Ohio St. John's High 2006: Second team All-Ohio and a first team all-conference selection. Meador's take: "Nick is a two-sport athlete that has spent a lot of time playing high school quarterback. He will bring some athleticism and toughness because of that experience. He is already throwing in the upper 80s with a good breaking ball, and will add velocity once he focuses on just baseball. I think he has a chance to have an immediate impact on our success." | |
| Nick Johnson | |
| Justin Schultheiss 6-5 185 RHP 2008 Eligibility: Freshman Hometown: Hamilton, Ohio Hamilton High 2006: Won three games and helped Hamilton to a league championship. Meador's take: "Justin comes from a very solid local high school program in Hamilton, which has produced some very good pitchers over the years. He is a very good athlete who also plays two sports. When he's not pitching he is playing centerfield and also plays basketball for Hamilton. Justin has always loved UC and this is where he wanted to be. It's a good fit for him and for us. We believe he has just begun to reach his potential and look forward to having him in our program." | |
| Justin Schultheiss |