Dec. 7, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford Baseball coaching staff recently released the names of the 10 players added to the program in the 2010 Signing Class in the early period. Today we continue the series of profiles on each of the players with a detailed article released on them with their full backgrounds leading to their arrival at Samford. Today's baseball signee in the spotlight is Phillip Ervin.

Phllip Ervin (6-0, 185, OF/P, Leroy High School, Leroy, Ala.) is a versatile athlete having starred in high school for state championship baseball and football teams, as well as playing basketball in between for Leroy High School. He has tremendous power, hitting 11 home runs as a junior, as well as excelling on the mound with a fastball that reaches into the 90-plus mile-per-hour range.

Ervin not only plays three sports in high school, but excelled as a key player on those teams in helping to lead them to several championships. In Football, he starred on the powerhouse team that won three straight state championships. In baseball, he was a major factor in two state championships to this point while also helping the basketball team to the playoffs as an All-State player in 2008.

"He is a superior athlete in a number of sports," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "Phillip possesses several high level tools as a legitimate impact two-way player for us. He has tremendous power, speed, arm strength and has always hit for a high average. He is also an outstanding outfielder and we are excited to have him in the program. You always like to add winners and that is all Phillip has ever done."

As a junior he hit .427, with 11 home runs, nine doubles, 14 stolen bases and 33 runs batted in. On the mound, he finished the year with a 7-1 record, with 55 strike outs, 12 walks, and a 3.53 earned run average. He was selected to the Troy All-Star weekend three years in a row, the East-West All-Star team and the Alabama High School All-Star game. He was selected as "Mr. Versatile" following his 2008 football season.

Ervin will demonstrate that versatility at Samford where he is expected to play outfield and pitch.

"Phillip was our first offer and commitment," Dunn said. "He was an impact player we felt was one of the top players in the state, especially as a dual player. He will have a chance immediately to be in the lineup and on the mound."