re: Baseball Recruiting Discussion

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CARY, N.C. - Of the 144 players invited to participate in the Tournament of the Stars, a five-day event used to select the Team USA U18 national team scheduled to compete in the World Championships in Taiwan, the vast majority of the players are committed to major universities. One big exception is class of 2014 target Ryder Ryan (Huntersville, N.C./North Mecklenberg).

Ryan was 1-for-4 on the day with a single and he also reached on a throwing error. On the mound, he recorded a pair of strikeouts and a ground out in his 14-pitch outing to seal his team’s 6-5 victory.

“These pitchers are tough. They all seem to have good fastballs and good breaking balls,” Ryan said. “It felt really good to come in and get the save though. It was awesome. Had two strikeouts; I love coming in to close out the game. I like to come in and attack.”

Ryan said he’s spoken to all of his finalists recently and a decision on where he’s going to school is coming in the near future. Two finalists - North Carolina and North Carolina State - are currently playing in the College World Series. The other two - South Carolina and Clemson - had their season conclude in the Super Regional and Regional rounds, respectively.

South Carolina pitching coach Jerry Meyers made the trek to the Team USA Baseball Complex on Wednesday and he was the only coach in Ryan’s group of finalists to see him pitch.

“I just want to be at a place where I’m comfortable,” Ryan said of what he's looking for in a school. “If I get hurt, I want to be at a place that I like. All four schools are so good, and it’s such a hard decision, but it’s one I’m trying to make real soon.”

“I didn’t have a lot of time to go on visits,” Ryan said. “It’s coming down to the wire and it’s real close. South Carolina is still in it, Clemson, N.C. State and North Carolina.”

Ryan is ranked as the No. 27 player in the country regardless of position by Perfect Game. He is the No. 2 third baseman in the country. On the mound, he has topped at 92 mph with his fastball at a Perfect Game and he has thrown 93 mph from the outfield.

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