The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Baseball Adds Austin Thomas
7/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Glenwood (Ala.) High School pitcher Austin Thomas has chosen to continue his collegiate baseball career at UAB, head coach Brian Shoop announced Thursday.
"When we lost Adam Lau to the draft, we were looking to complete our pitching staff this summer," Shoop said. "We are excited to announce Austin Thomas as our last addition before the fall. He will add a lot of experience to a very young staff so we have high hopes for Austin."
Thomas will join the Blazers after most recently playing for Chattahoochee Valley State Community College in Phenix City, Ala.
"Austin comes from a great high school program (Glenwood Academy) where he played for Tim Fanning," Shoop added. "He also played junior college baseball for the Alabama State Champions Chattahoochee Valley where he played for Adam Thomas. He is well prepared and is used to competing for championships, so he brings a winning mindset to UAB."
While at Glenwood, Thomas lettered three years and helped the Gators to a state championship in 2011. He was named an all-state selection following his senior season after going 8-2 with a 1.16 ERA, striking out 103 batters and averaging 11.95 strikeouts per seven innings.
Thomas also played a year at Pensacola State Junior College and went 2-2 with a 3.40 ERA in 42.1 innings pitched.
"Austin had established himself as one of the top pitchers at CVCC before his injury," Shoop said. "When healthy, he is a strike thrower with a strong three-pitch mix and can throw any pitch on any count. He throws on a downward plane and fits perfectly into our system of attacking the bottom of the strike zone with movement."
While at Chattahoochee Valley, Thomas helped the Pirates to the ACCC Conference Championship and a third place finish in the 2015 NJCAA World Series. He had a 2-1 record in 32.2 innings pitched.
"After graduation, Austin hopes to attend physical therapy school, so UAB is a great fit and preparation for his academic goals," Shoop said. "We are thrilled to welcome Austin Thomas to our 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).
