The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Sam Kelley Joins Blazer Baseball Recruiting Class
11/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 18, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB baseball program has announced the signing of Sam Kelley, a pitcher and first baseman from Southern Academy in Moundville, Ala., to a National Letter of Intent.
As a junior this past spring, Kelley posted a .469 batting average at the plate with eight home runs and 26 RBI for Southern Academy. The left-hander was equally impressive on the mound, finishing the season with a 7-1 record and a 1.31 ERA. He was selected to participate in the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association 2009 All-Star Weekend.
"Sam is a true two-way player, and we fully expect him to impact our program both as a left-handed pitcher and a left-handed hitter," UAB head coach Brian Shoop said. "We have coached some special two-way players over the years and believe Sam will be another in this line. We are thrilled to add him to our baseball family."
Kelley, who played American Legion summer baseball for Tuscaloosa Post 34 and coach John Rushing, will complete his senior season at Southern Academy this coming spring before enrolling at UAB for the 2010-11 academic year.
Also the starting quarterback on his high school football team, Kelley passed for 1,052 yards as a junior in 2008 on his way to Alabama Independent School Association All-State honors from the Tuscaloosa News. Most recently, he guided Southern Academy to the AISA Class AA state semifinals in his senior season.
"Sam Kelley is a special young man in every way," Shoop said. "He is a leader on his teams and in his school. He quarterbacks his high school football team and led them to the state semifinals. He is a committed student, and he is an outstanding person in every respect."
The son of David Kelley, Sam Kelley is a National Honor Society member who ranks in the top 10 of his high school class.
