Nov. 19, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The following is the beginning of a series of releases on the early signees of the 2009 Samford Baseball Signing Class. Over the next week each player will have an individual release about their accomplishments. Today's baseball player is Tommy Corbin.

Tommy Corbin (IF, 6-0, 190, Woodward Academy, College Park, Ga.) is a power hitting infielder from Woodward Academy in College Park, Ga. Coming out of one of the top baseball programs in the state, Corbin has helped lead the team's offensive attack each of the last two years with outstanding power production. While leading the team to an outstanding season, he slugged 13 home runs, eight doubles, one triple and 51 runs batted in, with a .481 batting average on the season. For his efforts he was awarded as the team's overall Co-MVP.

That junior season followed a very good sophomore season that had him hit .352 with nine doubles, one home run, and driving in 21 runs. He has also performed well in the classroom as an honor roll student each year.

His ability to drive the ball stood out to the Samford coaching staff.

"Tommy has faced some incredible competition and always performed at a high level," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "He has the ability to drive the ball in the gaps and over the fence. He fills a strong need for us in this small class with his ability to provide power. He is also an outstanding student and an overall perfect fit for Samford University."

Corbin has excelled with his summer and fall teams as well while playing for Team Georgia and the Georgia Roadrunners. He helped lead his team to the 2008 18 and under World Series where he was named the Offensive MVP.

Corbin said he is excited about the move to Samford.

"I have worked really hard for several years to get the oppurtunity to play Division I baseball, and Samford is the place where I feel like I can best succeed with a perfect mix of academics and baseball," Corbin said.