Charleston, S.C. – The Citadel Baseball announced Tuesday that the Bulldogs have signed six players to National Letters of Intent to join the ranks of The Citadel in 2009. Joining the Diamond Dogs next year will be Damon Ardis, Zach Garrett, David Greene, Jim Johnson, Jeremy Long aand Justin Mackert.
Those six newcomers will fill the holes left by the four seniors who are scheduled to graduate in 2008, including Chris Swauger, Matt Arnold, Timmy Martin and Conrad Kellahan.
The Citadel Baseball is set to begin the 2008 season on Feb. 22, kicking off the season with a four-game series hosting the Blue Hens of Delaware at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
For complete coverage of Bulldog Baseball, visit the official home of The Citadel Athletics at CitadelSports.com.
The Citadel Baseball 2009 Signees
Damon Ardis
Infielder
6’ 2” | 209 | Goose Creek, S.C. (Stratford HS)
High School: Will be a 2008 graduate of Stratford High School ... earned four letters in baseball and one letter in football ... team won the 2005 South Carolina State Championship ... named “Mr. Hustle” in high school.
Personal: Damon Edward Ardis, Jr. ... born on Nov. 30, 1989 in California ... son of Damon and Zelda Ardis ... most memorable baseball moment was winning the high school state championship ... plans to major in civil engineering.
Zach Garrett
Pitcher
6’ 2” | 225 | Alpharetta, Ga. (Alpharetta HS)
High School: Set to graduate from Alpharetta High School in 2008 ... earned three varsity letters in baseball ... named Pitcher of the Year on his team ... named team MVP his sophomore year.
Personal: Zachary David Garrett ... born April 16, 1990 in Cleveland, Ohio ... son of David and Donna Garrett ... most memorable moment in baseball was throwing a no-hitter ... plans to major in business administration.
David Greene
Infielder
6’3” | 195 | Columbia, S.C. (Richland Northeast HS)
High School: Set to graduate from Richland Northeast High School in 2008 ... will letter in baseball all four years ... earned All-Region honors in 2007 ... named the team’s MVP in 2007 ... coached by Thane Maness.
Personal: David Todd Greene ... born July 18, 1990 in Columbia ... grandfather, Alan Shelton, was a running back at Georgia Tech ... plans to major in business administration.
Jim Johnson
Outfielder/Pitcher
5’ 10” | 155 | Charleston, S.C. (Wando HS)
High School: Will graduate from Wando High School in 2008 ... will earn three letters in baseball and one in football ... team won the regional championship in 2006 and 2007 ... named the team’s Rookie of the Year in 2005 ... earned the Warrior Award in 2007.
Personal: James Henry Johnson, IV ... born Dec. 9, 1989 in Asheville, N.C. ... son of Hank and Kay Johnson ... father, Hank, is a 1980 graduate of The Citadel ... has two sisters, Amanda and Jennifer ... was a member of NHS and Beta Club in high school ... plans to major in civil engineering.
Jeremy Long
Pitcher
5’ 11” | 190 | Clover, S.C. (Clover HS)
High School: Will graduate from Clover High School in 2008 ... earned four letters in baseball and three letters in football ... named the Region 3 Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 ... also earned All-Region honors that season.
Personal: Jeremy Lee Long ... born on April 28, 1990 in Rock Hill, S.C. ... son of Jack and Denise Long.
Justin Klarich Mackert
OF/C
6’ 0” | 190 | Westlake, Ohio (St. Ignatius HS)
High School: Set to graduate from St. Ignatius High School in 2008 ... received two letters in baseball.
Personal: Justin Klarich Mackert ... born on April 18, 1990 in Mayfield Heights, Ohio ... son of Brian and Kathy Mackert ... chose The Citadel over Michigan State, Ohio State and Kent State ... grandfather was a professional boxer who was also drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates ... grew up next door to Sandy Alomar, Jr. ... plans on majoring in chemistry.
