MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee has inked its eighth student-athlete and second junior college transfer to the 2009 signing class as announced by head coach Steve Peterson on Tuesday.
Eric Gilley, a right-handed pitcher, will join the Blue Raiders in 2010 after playing two seasons at Volunteer State Community College under head coach Mike Crossland.
This season, Gilley posted a record of 4-3 with four complete games in 10 appearances. Gilley struck out 54 batters in 52 innings of work.
Volunteer State won the NJCAA Division I Region 7 Tournament to reach the NJCAA East Central District Playoff. Volunteer State lost two extra inning games to Middle Georgia in the district playoff as Middle Georgia advanced to the JUCO World Series.
"He is a good strong right hander and one of many outstanding pitchers from Volunteer State Community College. Eric really stepped up at end of his sophomore season to be a major contributor to winning the state junior college championship," Peterson said. "We are looking for him to fill a spot in rotation immediately."
As a freshman, Gilley notched 38 strikeouts in 27.1 innings of work with a 3-1 record in nine appearances.
A native of Hendersonville, Tenn., Gilley graduated from Station Camp High School in 2007 where he was a four-year letter winner and received All-District honors as a senior.
Middle Tennessee posted 44-18 record in 2009 winning both the Sun Belt regular season and tournament titles and made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2004.