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Highlands Today

Abeln Signs Letter With Georgia State

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Highlands Today Staff Report

Published: November 21, 2008

AVON PARK - South Florida Community College baseball players Chaz Abeln, Jerry Neufang, Cameron Nelson and Leo Chang signed letters of intent on Wednesday to take their games to four-year, Division-I programs.

Abeln, a Sebring native, signed with Georgia State University, while Neufang signed with Liberty University in Virginia, Nelson inked a letter with Campbell University in North Carolina and Chang signed with Texas Pan-Am University.

"We are very happy for each of these players and their families, as they will all have the opportunity to continue their academic and athletic careers," said SFCC baseball coach Rick Hitt. "They have all done an outstanding job in the classroom and haveworked extremely hard to improve the craft on the field.

It was the fifth such signing for the Panthers this offseason after Avon Park product Johnny Sedlock signed with Central Florida last month.

"The advancement of these guys continues to say a great deal about the quality of our faculty, staff and administration at South Florida, and the efforts our student/athletes give," Hitt said.

Abeln, a right-handed pitcher, was a Dixie Ball standout and starred for Sebring High School during its run to the state final four in 2007. He joined the Panthers last season and went 8-5 with a 4.51 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 87 innings.

"I think at the end of the day Chaz was looking for a place that he could continue to both pitch and hit as he will do for us this coming season," Hitt said. "I have known Georgia State coach Greg Frady for a long time, and he was excited to hear that Chaz actually hit as well.

"I think he is a great fit as a rotation starter for them, and will bring a great deal to their staff. We are excited for Chaz and his family and look forward to the success he will help us achieve this spring and his future days at Georgia State."

The Highlands Today sports department can be reached at 863-386-5841 or sports@highlandstoday.com.

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