PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Pikeville College baseball coach Rob Taylor has hit the ground running, signing three quality players to the Bears’ roster in recent days.

He has landed Adam Overbay from Middlesboro, Ky, Zac Coe from Starke, Fla., and Brandon Black from Kingsport.

Overbay is an outfielder who led his team in hitting and stolen bases while hitting leadoff. He was an all-district and al –region selection his junior and senior years. He was selected by the Kentucky Baseball Coaches Association for the East/West All-Star Series for 2008 and 2009.

“Adam meets our needs as a speedy left handed hitter who is a hard-nosed player and a young man of high character,” Taylor said. “We’re pleased that Adam will continue his athletic and academic career at Pikeville College and envision a bright future for him on the baseball diamond.”

“I’m very excited to continue my career of playing baseball at Pikeville College,” said Overbay. “New coach, new team, new year, but it’s the same old sport of baseball and I’m ready to play. Not only do I have the chance to play baseball, but also to extend my education. I’m very lucky to have a Christian coach who knows the Lord.”

Black graduated from Sullivan North High School where he hit .333 with four homers and 22 RBIs as a senior.

“To begin rebuilding the Pikeville College baseball tradition we must have quality players who demonstrate high character, baseball ability, and an exceptional work ethic,” said Taylor. “We have found that in Brandon Black. Brandon is a hard-nosed player who will fit in well in our system and we are thankful to God to get a fine young man.”

"Brandon has been the face of North baseball the last four years,” said Steve Dixon, head coach at Sullivan North. “I've written his name on the lineup card 123 straight times. He played all 123 of those games with a passion, a love of the game, and a love of competing – without an exception – and that's rare. More importantly Brandon is the face you want representing your program off the field -- great personality, great kid, good student, and big hearted."

“The reason I chose Pikeville College was really I just felt at home there,” Black said. “Coach Taylor came out and told me that God comes first in his life. I really respect that. I feel the location is perfect for me. I'm not too far from home, but I am far enough where I can concentrate on my schoolwork and baseball.”

Coe is a 6-1, 190 pound first basemen from Florida’s Bradford High School. His coach is Lamar Waters and he is also trained by former big leaguer Denny Doyle, a graduate of Morehead State. In 2009 he hit .308 with four homers and 17 runs batted in. He was second in runs scored and slugged .554. He was also a varsity scholar-athlete.

"As we begin a new era in Pikeville College baseball and begin to rebuild this once-proud tradition, it becomes extremely important to build it with players who exemplify character as well as ability,” Taylor said. “We have found that in Zac Coe. He is a strong player who meets our needs on both the athletic level and spiritual level.

“We are thankful to God for sending us Zac and look forward to coaching and watching his performance on the baseball diamond."

"I am so thankful that God has given me the ability to play baseball,” Coe said. “I look forward to see what He has in store for the Bears this season."