The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Baseball Adds Eric Henderson
6/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Junior college transfer Eric Henderson has signed with the UAB baseball team for the 2016 season, head coach Brian Shoop announced on Wednesday.
"Our game and our league is dominated by outstanding pitching and it was very important that we add a junior college ready-to-go weekend arm to this recruiting class," Shoop said. "We believe we have been able to do that by adding Eric to our pitching staff."
Henderson comes to UAB after two very successful years at Darton State Community College in Albany, Ga. He went 9-3 in two seasons with a 3.31 ERA, leading the Cavaliers to a 40-19 record in 2015.
"Eric has a power arm and the mentality to attack hitters," Shoop said. "The pitchers who have done the best for us at UAB have pounded the bottom of the zone and we believe Eric will follow in that model. Also, our most successful pitchers have been good athletes who have a great presence on the mound.Eric has both of those qualities as well.We believe Eric will have an immediate impact on our 2016 team and will help lead our young pitching staff."
Henderson was named the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament MVP, leading the club to the regular season and tournament championship.
"Eric tutored under Darton State head coach Scot Hemmings, so we know he is ready for the demands of a Conference USA schedule," Shoop added."He also played for an outstanding high school program at Marietta High School (Marietta, Ga.) and another elite coach in Chris Stafford."
While at Marietta, Henderson went 11-4 on the mound his junior and senior seasons with a 1.87 ERA. He was tabbed as the 2013 Region 4-AAAAAA Player of the Year, named All-Cobb County, selected as the Marietta High School MVP and tabbed an All-State selection by the Georgia Dugout Club.
"We have a great history of our players earning their UAB degree and we know that Eric will be another dedicated student who will perform at a high level in the classroom," Shoop said. "He is also of very high character from a strong family and we know he will be a great role model off the field."
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