Sept. 17, 2009

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina's crop of 16 baseball newcomers has been rated as the nation's No. 14 recruiting class, according to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, which released its annual rankings Thursday.

The Tar Heels latest additions feature 13 prep standouts and three transfers: infielder Dillon Hazlett, catcher Jesse Wierzbicki and right-hander Teddy Mitrosilis.

Of the 13 freshmen, four were selected in the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft: outfielder Brian Goodwin (Chicago White Sox, 17th round), right-hander Cody Stiles (New York Yankees, 39th round), right-hander Michael Morin (Kansas City Royals, 40th round) and left-hander R.C. Orlan (Los Angeles Dodgers, 44th round).

Carolina's class was ranked as the third-best in the Atlantic Coast Conference, just behind No. 9 Miami and No. 10 Virginia. The Tar Heels were the only school in the state of North Carolina ranked among the top 40.

The Diamond Heels are in the midst of fall workouts, which culminate with the annual Fall World Series, which will open Oct. 13 at Boshamer Stadium. Games will be open to the public and admission will be free of charge.