The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pender Signs NLI to Play Baseball for the Blazers
11/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 15, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-- UAB head baseball coach Brian Shoop has announced that right-handed pitcher Beau Pender has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play for the Blazers next season. Pender, who was drafted in the 45th round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, will come to UAB from Gulf Coast Community College.
"One of our priorities this recruiting class was to sign front line pitching that would make a difference the day they stepped on campus," Shoop said. "We believe that we have found that in Beau Pender. He is a proven front line arm having already succeeded in the prestigious Florida Junior College ranks. Professional baseball also thought highly enough of Beau to draft him last year. We will count heavily on Beau next season."
Pender went 3-1 last season at Gulf Coast CC with two saves and a 5.94 ERA, while holding opponents to a .231 batting average. In high school, the Marianna, Fla. native was 6-6 with a 119 strikeouts and a 0.83 ERA.
He also has experience playing with the Dothan Post 12 squad that won the Southeast Regional Championship and played in the American Legion World Series in Rapid City, S.D. With that team, Pender earned a record of 6-3 with a 2.12 ERA.
In addition to his excellence on the mound, Pender also fits into the UAB baseball formula with his work in the classroom. At Gulf Coast CC, Pender has collected all-academic team recognitions and in high school he was Valedictorian and the Vice President of the National Honor Society. Furthermore, he also was the editor of the Marianna High School Yearbook and was a Student Government Association Representative.
"Beau is also a great student and is carrying a 3.5 GPA in junior college," Shoop said. "He wants to attend Pharmacy School after college, so UAB is a perfect fit academically as well. He is exactly the type of young man we are trying to recruit and are thrilled he will wear the green and gold next year."
UAB has now finished announcing early signees with five standout young men rounding out the class.
