NORMAL – “We are excited about our first recruiting class on “The Hill,” said head baseball coach Ed McCann. “We feel like it is a strong start that will help us immediately change the culture of A&M Baseball as it has been.”

“A New Beginning is the motto for the 2011 edition of Bulldog Baseball.

“We feel we did an awesome job in landing the areas finest,” McCann was quoted as saying. “All four have character and talent and a desire to change the baseball culture for the Maroon & White. All four come from outstanding programs and all four have been an important element in their respective high schools’ baseball programs recent success.”

Those four individuals include Jordan Friend (Lee High School-Huntsville-Mid INF), Brandon Crutcher (Lee High School-Huntsville-OF), Tyler Bryant (Hazel Green High School-Meridianville-C) and Brandon Pooler (Sparkman High School-Harvest-Mid INF)

Brandon Pooler and Jordan Friend will provide stability to the Bulldogs middle infield. Both have great reaction, great arms and outstanding speed on the base paths.

Tyler Bryant, a left handed hitter who also plays catcher, is solid defensively behind the plate, with gap to gap power. 

Brandon Crutcher is a specimen whose big arm compliments his big time ability anywhere on the field.

“We feel these young men are cornerstones to the foundation of an extraordinary work ethic, which are traits that are a rare commodity in today’s times”, McCann stated. “These signings and the others we plan to bring in are reason enough to follow Alabama A&M Baseball in 2011.”