Jan. 6, 2010

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 signee in the spotlight is C K Irby.

C K Irby (6-1, 190, P/IF, Mars Hill Bible HS, Florence, Ala.) is an outstanding dual player who will be both an infielder and right-handed pitcher at Samford. While leading his high school team offensively and on the mound, he was selected to the North-South All-Star Game and All-Star Weekend in Troy.

Irby is coming off an outstanding junior season where he hit .456 with an on-base percentage of .551. On the mound he went 7-2 with a 1.92 earned run average with an incredible strikeout to walk ratio of almost 10 to 1 (102 strikeouts and 11 walks). Having played at Mars Hill Bible, his high school coach Jay Mitchell said he is one of the best players in the history of the school.

"C.K. may be the best defensive player ever at Mars Hill," Mitchell said. "And he will always be one of the best all-around players to ever play at the school."

As a sophomore, Irby had another outstanding year hitting .373 with a .417 on-base percentage. On the mound that season he went 6-2 with a 3.99 earned run average, with 46 strikeouts and 17 walks.

Samford Head Coach Casey Dunn feels he has added all-around quality with Irby.

"I am thrilled to be able to add a proven winner in C.K. to this group," Dunn said. "He will bring in a lot of qualities to our program we are excited about. He is an outstanding young man, has excelled in the classroom, and has put up big numbers on the baseball field."

The plan is for Irby to come in as both a position player and a pitcher.

"I feel like C.K. will be able to contribute on the mound early and provide depth in the infield," Dunn said. "When putting a class together you look for versatility and C.K. provides just that."

Irby was the final addition in the early period to the Samford Baseball program. Spring additions are expected to be made as well. A complete write up of all early additions can be found on the website.