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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Baseball Adds Four
11/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 13, 2003
Two days into the early signing period, Florida Atlantic University added four players to the 2004 roster. Mickey Storey, Mike McKenna, Aric Van Gaalen and Brian Van Kirk each signed a National Letter of Intent to attend FAU in 2004.
After signing left-handed pitcher Matt Dunn on Wednesday, FAU added two additional pitchers on Thursday. Van Gaalen, a left-handed transfer from St. Petersburg CC and right-handed pitcher Mickey Storey from Deerfield Beach HS will join a pitching staff that has had eight pitchers drafted in the last three years. Van Gaalen follows former teammates Jonathon Shapland, Bobby DeMichael and Jason Costello to FAU.
"Aric is a 6-6 left-handed pitcher with a great changeup and good curveball. He has only scratched the surface with his talent, growing up in Canada he played a limited number of games and now that he is in Florida he gets better with every bullpen," stated recruiting coordinator John McCormack. "The Toronto Blue Jays have recognized his talent and drafted him the last two years. We look for him to be a major force on the mound next year."
An All-State and All-County selection last season, Storey has posted a 12-4 record over the past two seasons at Deerfield Beach High School under coach Vinny Tozzi.
"Mickey reminds me of former FAU star Danny Core (2003 7th round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays). He is a small right-handed pitcher that throws hard and has a knee buckling curveball. He is a true competitor that is fierce on the mound. I look for him to be in the mix as a freshman," said McCormack.
The first two position players to sign this year are McKenna and Van Kirk. A Louisville Slugger All-American and All-State honoree from Westminster Academy, Van Kirk is a versatile player that can work in at catcher, first base or the outfield. As a junior he hit .490 with 33 RBI, 8 home runs and 44 runs scored on the way to being named the Miami Herald Offensive Player-of-the-Year.
McCormack believes Van Kirk will be a team player. "Brian is a very good hitter. He knows what he is doing and understands what the pitchers are doing to him. I have always liked the way Brian has played. He is a winner and he makes everyone around him better."
Joining the outfielders will be McKenna from St. Joe's by the Sea (NY). With a .427 batting average and six home runs in a 22 game schedule, McCormack found the New York Daily News All-Star an appealing addition to the 2004-05 squad. "Mike can flat out play baseball. He can hit, run, and plays the game hard. He will make you sit up and take notice when he is on the field. Mike's versatility will be an asset. He can play all three outfield positions as well as the middle infield. I look forward to having Mike on the team."
Florida Atlantic is a program that has had 30 players drafted over the past five seasons and has 13 players eligible for the 2004 draft. The squad has finished the last two seasons with a top-25 ranking.
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