New Hanover's Allen King Amongst Latest UNCW Baseball Signees

WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNC Wilmington head baseball coach Mark Scalf has announced the additions of Allen King, Dylan Kipp, Jack Lane, Robbie Monday, Dakota Piver, Brian Rhino, Ben Thielsen and Ryan Walker to the incoming class for the 2008-09 season.

“We’re extremely excited about the group of players that we have coming in’” said Scalf. “It’s a very athletic group and we’re counting on them to come in and compete immediately both on the mound and in the field. Not only do they have athletic ability, but it’s a great group of young men with tremendous work habits.”

The addition of the eight players pushes Scalf’s total to 16 newcomers as the Seahawks seek their fifth berth to the NCAA Regionals in seven seasons.

King (Wilmington, N.C./New Hanover) is a hometown product who hails from the same high school that produced former UNCW second base standout Russ Simmerman. King, who missed the 2008 season, was a two-time Star News All-Area selection in 2006 and 2007.

Kipp (Cary, N.C./Green Hope) is a lefthander who struck out 83 in 50 innings and was named All-Tri-8 Conference for the Falcons.

Lane (Huntersville, N.C./Hopewell), standing at 6-9, Lane will be the tallest pitcher in the history of the program. As a senior, he fashioned a 6-1 mark and limited opponents to a .112 batting average while posting an ERA of 0.95. In 36 2/3 innings, Lane struck out 58 and issued just 20 walks.

Monday (Elkin, N.C./Surry CC) is a left-handed slugging first baseman who hit seven home runs in 69 at bats and drove in 17 runs before missing the final two months of the season due to a hand injury. Monday was a Region X All-Star selection as a freshman for Surry Community College after hitting .382 and driving in 41 runs on the strength of six home runs and a .601 slugging percentage.

Piver (Tabor City, N.C./South Columbus) is one of the most athletic high school players in the state and hit .420 with 31 runs scored and 27 stolen bases as a senior. He was a three-year All-Waccamaw Conference performer and helped the Stallions to four State AA tournament appearances.

Rhino (Cary, N.C./Cary) was a Tri-8 All-Conference selection in 2008 after hitting .380 and being named team MVP.

Thielsen (Kirkland, Wash./Edmonds CC) continues the Seahawks pipeline to the northwest that produced standouts Tim Preston, Zack Kimball and current assistant coach Aaron Smith. Thielsen was an All-NWAACC second baseman for conference champion Edmonds Community College. This spring, Thielsen hit .342 and scored 46 runs while stealing 20 bases for the Tritons.

Walker (Chapel Hill, N.C./Orange) is a 6-4 lefthander who earned All-State honors after leading Orange to the State AA title. As a senior, he posted a 10-1 mark and compiled a 1.44 earned run average in 63 1/3 innings. Walker, who started for North Carolina in the annual North Carolina-South Carolina All-Star game, struck out 108 batters.

2008-09 UNC Wilmington Seahawk Newcomers

Name Pos. B/T Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School

Andrew Cain P/OF R/R 6-6 200 Greenville, N.C./J.H. Rose

Cameron Cockman IF R/R 6-3 200 Pleasant Garden, N.C./Southeast Guilford

Steven Davis P L/L 5-11 165 Robbins, N.C./North Moore

Aaron Jones P/1B L/L 6-2 205 Kernersville, N.C./Gospel Light

Thomas Jones P R/R 6-4 195 Wilmington, N.C./Topsail

Allen King C R/R 6-2 180 Wilmington, N.C./New Hanover

Dylan Kipp P R/L 6-3 170 Cary, N.C./Green Hope

Jack Lane P R/R 6-9 200 Huntersville, N.C./Hopewell

Tyler McSwain P L/R 6-1 170 Sophia, N.C./Randleman

Robbie Monday IF L/R 6-2 230 Elkin, N.C./East Wilkes (Surry CC)

Dakota Piver OF R/R 6-2 200 Tabor City, N.C./South Columbus

Thomas Pope OF R/R 5-10 165 Clinton, N.C./Clinton

Brian Rhino OF R/R 6-0 180 Cary, N.C./Cary

Austin Sandy IF L/R 6-1 170 Fayetteville, N.C./Jack Britt

Ben Thielsen IF L/R 5-9 170 Kirkland, Wash./Lake Washington (Edmonds CC)

Ryan Walker P L/L 6-4 200 Chapel Hill, N.C./Orange

Courtesy UNCW Sports Information

-- Jesse Jones, CAPE FEAR SPORTS REPORT