Cane Cutters News

The Cane Cutters announced that they have signed three young players from Southern Miss on Monday.

The Acadiana Cane Cutters are primed to begin their third season of Texas Collegiate League Baseball this summer. As the Cane Cutters prepare for the season, Head Coach Lonny Landry announced the signings of a young trio from the University of Southern Mississippi on Monday afternoon.

Golden Eagles’ infielders Nick Dawson, Ryan Ellis, and pitcher Jake Winston all made commitments to spend this summer playing ball in Southwest Louisiana in 2013. Coach Landry expects these fresh faces to come in and make key contributions sooner rather than later. “I'm very excited about getting these guys from a strong baseball program, which continues to get stronger and stronger each year.” Landry went on to say he’s, “Looking forward to working with Nick Dawson and Ryan Ellis throughout the summer,” and that coming from Southern Miss, “they will bring experience and the knowledge of the game with them.”  He also had praise for the young starter Jake Winston. “He is a young arm, with electrifying stuff!”

Freshman middle-infielder Nick Dawson of Bartlett, Tennessee, attended Bartlett High School where he was an All-State shortstop posting a solid .395 batting average and notching 23 RBIs as a senior. Despite being recruited for his work as an infielder, Dawson displayed a bevy baseball talent, accounting for an impressive 6-2 record while on the mound, helping his Bartlett Panthers secure the District 14-AAA Championship crown.

Ryan Ellis, a sophomore from Columbia, Mississippi, was a very decorated All-State player when he signed on to play his college ball at Southern Miss.  Ellis began his career as a red shirt, but was called to action early due to team needs his freshman season. Ellis has sported a Conference USA Academic Medal, Commissioner’s Honor Roll achievement, and the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll all three seasons thus far. Last summer, Ellis played with the Center Moriches Battlecats of the Atlantic Summer League. With the ‘Cats, Ellis stroked a gaudy .371 with seven doubles, six bombs, and 23 RBIs.

Jake Winston, freshman from the East Louisiana town of Vidalia, will join the Cane Cutters as part of the 2013 pitching staff. While playing with Trinity Episcopal High School last year, the young man posted a 5-2 record during his senior campaign. Winston consistently lit up the scorebooks with a minuscule 1.26 ERA and a sensational 74 strikeouts in 44 innings on the bump. This spring, the freshman is already getting some looks early from the Golden Eagles’ coaching staff. In his debut against the University of Alabama on February 19, in Tuscaloosa, Winston pitched four frames, fanned six, and gave up just one earned run.

The Acadiana Cane Cutters will open the 2013 Texas Collegiate League season on Thursday, May 30, when the Brazos Valley Bombers visit Southwest Louisiana for a 7:00pm first pitch. Opening Night is sponsored by your locally owned and operated Sonic Drive-In locations in Acadiana. Fabacher Field is Louisiana’s only destination to catch this season’s best in collegiate baseball. Season tickets are still available for all 30 Cane Cutters’ home games, call (337) 451-6582 to reserve your seats today!

College Baseball’s Brightest Stars shining for Major League Baseball’s Biggest Stage.