Austin Peay Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – The 2015 signing class will be about quality, not quantity for the Austin Peay State University baseball team with only three slots available. The Govs began filling those spots by signing left-handed pitcher Austin Higginbotham, of Gainesville, Georgia, on the opening day of the fall signing period, Wednesday.
He posted an 11-1 record and 1.62 earned-run average as a junior, striking out 87 batters in 64 innings to help King’s Ridge Christian to the Class A Private State Championship.
Higginbotham’s tally included a pair of no-hitters and earned him Region 6A Pitcher of the Year and first-team all-region honors. He enters his senior year as the preseason region pitcher of the year.
“We’re really excited about signing Austin,” said Govs head coach Gary McClure. “He’s like a little ball of dynamite. Austin has a surprising fast ball and great off speed pitches. He is well ahead of the curve when it comes to pitching. What I love most is he knows the game of baseball and he’s an unbelievable competitor.”
In his first two seasons at King’s Ridge Christian, Higginbotham posted a combined 9-3 record and 2.95 ERA in 86.2 innings pitched. He was a first-team All-Region 6A selection as a sophomore and an honorable mention all-region pick as a freshman.
Higginbotham also plays outfield at King’s Ridge Christian and batted .342 with 19 RBI last season. In addition, he plays quarterback and defensive back for King’s Ridge Christian’s football team.
During the summer, Higginbotham has pitched for the 6-4-3 DP Baseball Academy under coach Danny Pralgo.
