University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Baseball Announces Two More Signees In Early Signing Period
11/18/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 18, 2005
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss Head Baseball Coach Corky Palmer has announced the signing of Houston Brown, a 6-0, 180-pound left-handed pitcher from Evangelical Christian High School in Memphis, Tenn., and Tim Foster, a 6-3, 200-pound first baseman/third baseman from Adams County Christian School in Natchez, Miss., to a letter of intent and grant-in-aid for the 2005-06 academic year.
As a junior last season, Brown was 3-0 with a save and a 1.05 ERA in 26.2 innings pitched and helped lead Evangelical Christian to a 19-17 record and advance to the semifinals of the state tournament. He missed part of the year due to a high ankle sprain but came back and helped lead the team to three-straight wins at the end of the season. Brown pitched a complete-game shutout, giving up seven hits, striking out five and walking three in the first round of the Tennessee State Tournament.
During the summer, he pitched for the Dulins Dodgers of Collierville, Tenn., and finished with a 4-2 record with two saves and a 1.91 ERA in 36.2 innings pitched. He gave up 10 earned runs on 24 hits, struck out 39 and walked 15. His top performance was a 10 strikeout victory in the World Wood Bat Association's 17-under National Championship Series in Marietta, Ga. He helped lead the Dodgers to the NABF 17-U World Series in Greensboro, N..C., before their season ended.
Brown is a four-year letterwinner and was named to the 2005 West Tennessee Regional All-Tournament team. He also is a three-year letterwinner in football was named to the Tennessee Region 2-AA All-State Football Team as a punter. He also was being recruited by Arkansas State, Memphis and Mississippi State.
"Houston is the only left-handed pitcher that we signed in the early signing period and we are hoping he can come in and give us help," Palmer said. "He has a solid fast ball (86-89 mph), and above average curve ball and change-up and has good command on the mound. He has a chance to come in and contribute immediately."
Foster hit .562 with 12 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs and drove in 52 runs as a junior last season at Adams County Christian School. He scored 44 runs and drew 11 walks. He also finished with 10-2 record and a 2.69 ERA from the mound.
He was named the District MVP (three-time all-district), the Metro Player of the Year and a first-team all-state selection by Mississippi Private School Association. He helped lead Adams County Christian to the district and South State championships and advanced to the state championship before their season ended. He also was named one of the top 20 athletes to watch as a senior.
Foster also was a three-year letterwinner in basketball, three-year letterwinner in football, two years in golf and one year in track. Last year as a junior, he was named one of the top 10 kickers in the state of Mississippi. He also was the starting quarterback and led the team to its first winning season in 12 years and advanced to the South State playoffs. He was a two-time all-district selection and named all-metro as a junior.
Foster is an honor roll student, a member of the Key Club, the National Honor Society and treasurer of the student council.
"Tim is big and athletic player who hits for average and especially for power," Palmer said. "He will add a right-handed power hitter to our lineup and can play at first or third base. He has a chance to make an immediate impact with our program."
Southern Miss other signees include Chance Hurst (C, 5-11, 185, St. Thomas More HS, Lafayette, La.); Jordan King (3B/RHP, 6-0, 180, NW Rankin HS, Brandon, Miss.) and Todd McInnis (RHP, 6-1, 160, NW Rankin HS, Brandon, Miss.).
The Golden Eagles return 20 letterwinners, including five starting position players, four starting pitchers, and five bullpen pitchers from last year's squad that finished 41-21 overall and tied for second-place in Conference USA, advanced to the Conference USA Tournament semifinals and also to its third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Golden Eagles have produced a 133-56 record over the past three seasons for a 70.4 winning percentage.
Southern Miss opens its season on Feb. 15 when it hosts Nicholls State in a 3 p.m., start.
