Sept. 23, 2008

Tennessee's crop of baseball newcomers ranks among the nation's best, according to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. The publication released its 2008 recruiting class rankings Tuesday, and UT's class was rated 28th in the country.

Head coach Todd Raleigh and his staff welcomed 17 newcomers to Rocky Top last month. The group included five junior-college transfers and 12 true freshmen and is composed of five infielders, nine pitchers, one outfielder and a pair of two-way players.

Four of Tennessee's newcomers have been drafted previously by major-league organizations. Infielder Cody Hawn, right-handed pitcher/designated hitter Stephen McCray and right-handed pitcher Aaron Tullo have each been drafted twice. Freshman right-handed pitcher/catcher Matt Ramsey has been drafted once.

Collegiate Baseball ranked the country's top-40 recruiting classes, and Tennessee was one of nine Southeastern Conference schools to make the list. Arizona State garnered the top ranking nationally.

The Volunteers begin fall practice Wednesday.