MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama baseball head coach Steve Kittrell announced the signing of Cory McGinnis to a National Letter-of-Intent Monday. He is expected to join the program in the fall.

McGinnis, a right-handed pitcher from Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Ala., was selected in the 44th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. This season, he went 11-2 with a 3.93 ERA and one save in 68 2/3 innings, while recording 83 strikeouts and 43 walks.

“We’re excited about Cory [McGinnis] choosing South Alabama,” Kittrell said. “He was recruited by several other Division I schools. He has a good fastball and good secondary pitches. He will be an immediate impact, and should see a lot of innings next year in crucial situations.”

McGinnis ranked second in NJCAA Division I Region 22 in hits allowed (53), hits per nine innings (6.95), strikeouts per nine innings (10.88) and wins. He struck out a season-high 13 batters on March 6 against Snead State, and appeared in 18 games for the Bucs this season.

“Cory is a right-hander we are counting on to pitch a lot of innings late in the game,” USA assistant coach Scot Sealy said. “He is a bulldog on the mound, and is a very good addition to our pitching staff.”

With the addition of McGinnis, the Jaguars have added 12 newcomers for the 2011 season.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

-USA-