The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Baseball Signs Riley McCown
6/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Junior college transfer Riley McCown has signed with the UAB baseball program for the 2016 season, head coach Brian Shoop announced on Monday.
"We are thrilled to announce that Riley has chosen UAB as his institution to earn his degree and continue his baseball career," head coach Brian Shoop said. "A high priority for us in recruiting this year was to sign a junior college left-handed hitter. We graduate two starting outfielders and needed a `ready to go' left-handed bat to add to our lineup next year. We believe Riley is one of the best if not the best hitter in Tennessee junior college baseball and has the ability to make an immediate impact on our 2016 team."
McCown, a native of Huntsville, spent the last two seasons at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tenn. This past spring he hit .345 with 13 doubles, two triples and three home runs. He scored 41 runs and tallied 22 RBI in 41 games played. McCown slugged at a clip of .528 with an on-base percentage of .443, and was a TCCAA All-Conference selection.
"Riley has been well trained under the direction of Volunteer State head coach Mike Crossland (who also coached current Blazer shortstop Adam Smith)," Shoop added.
As a freshman, McCown hit leadoff and batted .355 with 39 runs scored and 21 RBI. He was honored as a TCCAA Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, maintaining a 3.8 GPA.
Prior to junior college, McCown was a standout at Lincoln County HS under head coach Travis Tate. There, he was named all-district as a junior after hitting .430. He was also named all-district and all-region in his senior season and was awarded the Senior Athletic Baseball Award following his final high school campaign.
"Riley will also continue the tradition of outstanding students and high character young men who have come through the UAB baseball program," Shoop said. "This is a good day for UAB baseball as Riley is a tremendous addition to the Blazer baseball family."
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official Twitter account of UAB Athletics (@UABAthletics).
