Vandy baseball adds Drew Hayes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —Vanderbilt baseball announced that sophomore pitcher Drew Hayes will join the Commodore program after spending the 2007 season with Bethel College in McKenzie, Tenn.

Hayes went to McKenzie High School and was the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Player of the Year in 2006. He was also a first-team all-state selection and the district's most valuable player. The 6-foot-1, 200 pound athlete was also drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 29th round of the 2006 amateur baseball draft.

He was originally recruited by several Division I programs, including Vanderbilt, but decided to go to Bethel College to play for his dad, Head Coach and Athletic Director Glen Hayes.

Last season as a freshman at Bethel, Drew was named second team all-conference as a starting pitcher and as a hitter as well. He also won the Gold Glove Pitcher of the Year award. Hayes was 6-4 as a pitcher with a 2.72 ERA and recorded 86 strikeouts in 72.0 innings. He recorded eight complete games in 12 starts, while also recording two saves. He batted .320 with seven homers and 38 RBI in 53 games as well.

Vanderbilt Coaching Staff thoughts on Hayes:

"Drew throws very hard 90-94, topping out at 96. He also throws a good, hard slider, and has a curveball and changeup. He was also a two-sport athlete in Football/Baseball at Bethel. We are excited to have Drew come in and look forward to him helping the program in the future."

He will be able to compete in the upcoming 2007-08 school year and has three seasons of eligibility left.