Bat Govs open fall signing period, add Jared Carkuff

APSU Sports Information: APSU Baseball

Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University’s baseball team began the fall early signing period, Wednesday, adding right-handed pitcher Jared Carkuff, of Bell Buckle, who has signed a letter of intent to join the team in 2013.

Carkuff, a 6-2, 160-pound, right-handed pitcher, helped lead Cascade High School to the Tennessee Class 1A regional final last season. He compiled a 5-2 record with two saves and a 1.31 earned-run average. Carkuff struck out 102 batters – allowing just 26 walks – in 69.1 innings pitched. At the plate, he batted .400 with three home runs and 28 RBI. Carkuff was named All-District 9 and All-Region 5.

“We believe Jared is one of the top three high school pitchers in the state,” said Governors head coach Gary McClure. “He is a phenomenal athlete – not only is he a very good pitcher but he is the starting quarterback at Cascade. Jared is a coach’s son and understands what it takes to be great and is prepared to work for it. He hasn’t played a tremendous amount of year-round baseball so we believe he has a lot of room to improve.”

Including last season’s honors, Carkuff is a two-time all-district and all-region election. He was named the District 9 “Pitcher of the Year” as a sophomore after posting a 7-1 record and 0.47 ERA in 59.1 innings pitched, including a no-hitter. Carkuff has twice been named to the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association’s Super Sophomore Team. Last season, he was named to the Tennessee Baseball Report’s All-2 Way Team.

“Jared commands a fastball that sits in the upper 80s and will top out in the low 90s,” said McClure. “His slider has really become a plus second pitch. We look forward to watching him progress with both pitches.”

As a quarterback at Cascade, Carkuff has passed for 873 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and has led the Champions to the second round of the Class 2A State Tournament this season. As a sophomore, he passed for 1,615 yards and 21 touchdowns to lead Cascade to the second round of the state tournament.

2013 Austin Peay Baseball Incoming Class

Jared Carkuff, 6-2, 160-pound, right-handed pitcher, Bell Buckle, TN (Cascade HS)