University of Memphis Athletics
Tiger Baseball Signs Florida Junior College Standout
Nov 15, 2006 | Baseball
Nov. 15, 2006
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis baseball team announced today that Pensacola Junior College standout Brett Bowen has signed a National Letter of Intent to play ball for the Tigers. Bowen, a 6-1, 170-pound infielder, will be counted on to offset the loss of the Tiger senior infield which will graduate in 2007.
"Brett will be a great addition to our 2007-08 roster," head coach Daron Schoenrock said. "We are very excited with his athleticism, his passion to play and his experience. We are very excited with his decision to join us at Memphis. He comes from a talent-rich Pensacola area and has blossomed under the staff at Pensacola Junior College."
Bowen won just one letter on a very deep team at J.M. Tate High School, but made his presence felt that season. Bowen hit .351 his senior season and helped the Aggies to a 27-4 record and a final four appearance in the state tournament in his final year.
Bowen went on to thrive in his first season at Pensacola Junior College hitting .305 with 4 HR, 12 2B, 2 3B, and 33 RBI while leading the Pirates to a 27-22 record last season.
Bowen made a name for himself this past summer in the prestigious Valley Baseball League, which has turned out major league players such as Jon Rauch, Chris Ray, Mike Maroth, Brandon Inge, Chad Tracy, Luke Scott, Adam Everett, Reggie Sanders, Juan Pierre, and David Eckstein.
Bowen hit .331 in 35 games for the league champion Luray Wranglers, second on the team only to his new Tiger teammate Adam Amar. Bowen launched seven home runs and drew 15 walks while recording a .423 on-base percentage.
The Pensacola, Fla., native is the first out-of-state signee to join the Tigers since the early signing period began on Nov. 8. Bowen joins Tennessee natives Chad Zurcher, Chad Bell, Jonathan Jones, Worth Tate, all of whom have committed to the Tigers during the early signing period.
