CLINTON, S.C. - Head baseball coach Elton Pollock, in conjunction with the Presbyterian College athletics department, is pleased to announce the addition of seven student-athletes for the 2012 season in the early signing period.

Ranz Bodison, Beau Dees, Jay Lizanich, Brandon Martin, William Montroni, Matthew Peden and Michael Ricchi have all decided to continue their education at Presbyterian College.

Bodison, a 6-0 switch hitting middle infielder and outfielder, joins the Blue Hose after a prep career at Mauldin H.S.  He also played for the Upstate Mavericks prior to signing with PC.  He is the sixth ranked second baseman by Diamond Prospects in South Carolina for the 2011 recruiting class.  He was also ranked among the top-1000 High School players by Perfect Game USA for 2011.

"Ranz is an extremely versatile athlete who should compete for a starting position on our infield," said Pollock. "His bat is his best asset, though his defense has improved tremendously over the past year.  His determination will make it difficult to keep him out of the line-up."

Dees, a native of Blenheim, S.C., is a 6-0 left-handed pitcher out of Marlboro County H.S.  As a junior, Dees posted five wins on the mound with 41 innings of work, a 2.22 ERA and 36 strikeouts.  At the plate, he hit .327 with a .479 on base percentage and 19 RBI.  He won the Cy Young Award and Marlboro H.S. the last two years running to go along with all-region and all-state honors last season.  Dees was ranked as the number 11 left-handed pitcher by Diamond Prospects from South Carolina in the 2011 recruiting class. 

"The best way to describe Beau is 'strike-thrower'," said Pollock.  "I look for him to make a tremendous jump once he gets involved with our strength and conditioning program.  He could make an impact as early as his freshman season."

Lizanich is a 6-1 infielder and pitcher from Riverside High School in Greer, S.C.  He hit .300 as a junior at Riverside and .351 as sophomore en route to all-region honors.  Last summer with DP Riverside Warriors he hit .370 with a .815 slugging percentage.  He was ranked ninth among South Carolina second baseman by Diamond Prospects in the 2011 recruiting class.  He was also ranked among the top-1000 High School players by Perfect Game USA for 2011.. 

"Jay is hard-nosed infielder with the ability to play any position on the field.  He will only get better through our weight lifting program, and I am looking forward to watching him develop.  His ability to excel as a hitter will determine how quickly he makes an impact on the field," said Pollock.

Martin is a standout utility player from nearby Laurens Academy.  The Gray Court, S.C. native hit .368 as a junior with four home runs and a 2.35 ERA on the mound.  He picked up all-region and all-state honors both as a sophomore and junior for Laurens Academy.  Over the last two seasons, Martin's club team has finished in third place at the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Tournament.  He was ranked as the #11 outfielder by Diamond Prospects in South Carolina for the 2011 recruiting class.

"Brandon's legs are his greatest asset.  He has tremendous speed and is an outstanding outfielder," said Pollock.  "He will definitely make competition in our outfield interesting as he mixes in with an already veteran and seasoned group.  Having significant local ties, I am extremely excited about the addition of Brandon."

Montori is a 6-1 shortstop and right handed pitcher out of Goose Creek, S.C.  He joins the Blue Hose following a career at Stratford High School where he hit .362 as a junior with a .483 on base percentage.  On the mound, he was 3-1 with a 1.45 ERA in 22 innings of work with a save.  While playing for the Diamond Devils on the club side, he hit .400 last season with a .493 OBP.  He picked up honorable mention All-Low Country as well as the Golden Glove award from Diamond Prospects.  Montori was tabbed seventh among South Carolina shortstops by Diamond Prospects for 2011.

"The addition of Billy Montroni to our middle infield should pay huge dividends," said Pollock.  "His versatility and arm strength will provide him an opportunity to compete for the starting shortstop position and time on the mound as a freshman.  I am looking forward to his progression and maturity during his senior season to better project his impact for PC."

Peden is a 6-2 outfielder and first baseman from Fountain Inn, S.C.  He will join the Blue Hose after playing for JL Mann Academy.  He picked up all-region honors last year as well as the Silver Slugger Award at the Palmetto Games and first-team All-Palmetto Games honors.  He was also a member of South Carolina's team in the Big League World Series last summer.  Peden was ranked by Diamond Prospects as the number seven shortstop for 2011 in South Carolina.  He was also ranked among the top-1000 High School players by Perfect Game USA for 2011.

"The stock of our outfield continued to rise with the addition of Matt Peden," said Pollock.  "He has a strong, versatile athlete with ability to play multiple positions.  He has a great swing and a great feel for the game.  Currently listed as one of the best outfielders in the state, his contributions should come sooner than later."

Ricchi is a 5-11 left-handed pitcher from McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney, Texas.  The southpaw was 2-2 last season with four saves and a 2.30 ERA.  With his club team, he posted a 12-2 record and a 1.90 ERA.  Ricchi also excels in the classroom with a National Honor Society selection and picking up the Academic Excellence Award.

"Like Dees, Michael is strike thrower with the ability to command the strike zone," said Pollock.  "He too could make an early impact during his freshman campaign.  I am confident in his ability to impact our pitching staff."