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Cane Cutters nab four from Southern Mississippi

04/10/2020 5:47 PM -

Lafayette, La. – With the 2020 Texas Collegiate League season just around the corner, the Cane Cutters announced the signing of 4 key players from the Southern Mississippi baseball program. Joining the Cane Cutters this season from the Golden Eagles will be infielder Austen Izzio, outfielder Billy Garrity and pitchers Matthews Adams and Chandler Best.

Infielder Austen Izzio, a junior from Carriere, Miss., will compete for a spot at first base for the Cane Cutters this season. Izzio appeared in eight games for the Golden Eagles during the shortened season and posted a .211 batting average and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Izzio began the season injured and was on the verge of heating up at the plate before the season was cut short. Before playing at Southern Miss, Izzio played one season at Pearl River CC as the squad reached the NJCAA World Series. He led the team with a .322 batting average with 15 doubles, four triples, and 10 home runs, while also recording 46 RBI and 10 stolen bases. His 73 hits led the conference as he earned second-team All-MACJC honors.

Outfielder Billy Garrity, a freshman from Hattiesburg, Miss., will patrol the outfield this season for the Cane Cutters. A duel sport star at Sumrall High School, Garrity posted a .327 average with six doubles, two triples and 12 home runs, including two grand slams for the Bobcats during his senior campaign. He hit .377 as a sophomore with seven homers and followed that up with a .341 season and eight long balls as a junior. Garrity was named a Perfect Game Preseason All-American and earned Class 4A first-team all-state by the Mississippi Association of Coaches and by the Clarion-Ledger.

Left-handed pitcher Matthew Adams, a freshman from Pearland, Tx., will be another strong arm for the Cane Cutters this season. Adams saw action this season for the Golden Eagles over 9 2/3 innings fanning 17 and holding opposing batters to a .205 batting average. Adams struck out 5 or more batters during 3 of his 4 appearances during the 2020 season including career high 6 strikeout games against Ole Miss and Troy. Adams attended Pearland High School where he was named All-District at first base and pitcher during his junior and senior campaigns. He posted a career 25-5 record with a 1.71 ERA and 84 strikeouts while registering only 20 walks.

Left-handed pitcher Chandler Best, a freshman from Mobile, Ala., will bolster the Cane Cutters pitching staff this season. Best pitched 11 1/3 innings for the Golden Eagles during the 2020 season and recorded 10 strikeouts. Best was picked to be Freshman of the Year in the Perfect Game season preview. He attended McGill-Toolen High School where he was an absolute force on the rubber. Best’s long list of achievements includes being a three-time first-team all-state selection and the 7A Player of the Year, as well as the Coastal Player of the Year. He earned All-America honors from MaxPreps as well as Collegiate Baseball. Best was ranked the No. 1 pitcher in the state of Alabama by Perfect Game and posted a complete dominant 35-2 record on the mound with 333 strikeouts and a 1.08 ERA during his entire prep career.

The Acadiana Cane Cutters open the 2020 season at home on Thursday, May 28 against the Baton Rouge Rougarou at Fabacher Field.  All home games will be broadcast live on ESPN 1420 AM.  For information on tickets, promotions, advertising, and other opportunities with the Cane Cutters, check out the team’s Web site at www.canecuttersbaseball.com, or call the Cane Cutters office at (337) 451-6582.