Charlotte nabs six early baseball signees

The Charlotte 49ers baseball program added six players during the early signing period for the 2011 season.

Tyler Barnette, Micah Bryan, Brock Hudgens, Ryan Mas, Jordan McNeely, and Zach Passerelle all signed early to play for the 49ers. Four - Barnette, Bryan, Hudgens and Mas - hail from North Carolina.

“We are very pleased with our early signing group,” said 49ers head coach Loren Hibbs. “This group allows us to stretch our roster based on their versatility and athleticism.”

Barnette plays for Hickory High and head coach David Craft. He also is the starting quarterback for the Red Tornadoes. The 6-3 Barnette pitches and plays the infield for Hickory and for his summer league team, The Carolina Lakemonsters.

Bryan is a 6-3 LHP, basketball player and quarterback for East Wilkes High. He led all pitchers in the state of North Carolina with 145 strikeouts.

Hudgens is a 6-0 RHP from Greensboro, who finished his junior season with a 5-1 record, and 2.00 ERA this past spring. Impact Baseball named him a Top 30 player in the state of North Carolina this summer.

Mas is another RHP who plays at Butler High in Matthews. He participated in the State Games and also played for the Carolina Twisters.

McNeely hails from Westminster, S.C. and is a two-way player in the outfield on the on the mound for Seneca High; Passerelle is a 6-3 catcher for Sparta High in New Jersey and hit .458 his freshman year.