May 6, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Tristan Farrell, a right-handed pitcher from Lilburn, Ga., has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at UAB as announced by UAB head coach Brian Shoop on Tuesday. Farrell is currently 6-2 this season playing at Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phoenix City, Ala.

"Going into this recruiting season, pitching was our No. 1 focus," Shoop said. "We are so pleased that Tristan will be joining our (pitching) staff next fall. He is a strike thrower who has a swing-and-miss breaking ball. He will force opponents to put the ball in play and should match nicely with the excellent defense we will be able to put on the field."

Farrell played his high school baseball at Parkview High School in Lilburn, Ga., where he held a 2.85 ERA and a .469 batting average his senior season in 2006. On the mound, he had 38 strikeouts and six walks as a senior in 35.0 innings pitched.

"Tristan is another gifted student who has excelled in the classroom both in high school and in junior college," Shoop said. "We know he will go on to earn a UAB degree. He is an outstanding young man. Our players all liked him during his visit and are all excited to have him as their teammate next year."

In his freshman season at Chattahoochee Valley in 2007, Farrell was 2-1 on the mound with a 3.65 ERA, while also batting .369 with 28 RBI. This season, Farrell owns a 3.45 ERA and has struck out 31 batters. He is currently batting .362 with six home runs and 39 RBI.

"Tristan has also excelled offensively at Chatt Valley so it is possible he could help us in multiple ways," Shoop said. "He has been a key component to his teams run to the state playoffs and we hope he will do the same at UAB.