April 30, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Harry Clark, a catcher from White Station High School in Memphis, Tenn., has committed to UAB and the Blazer baseball program.

In his final season at White Station for coach Wade Walter, Clark is hitting .573 with 15 doubles and 28 RBI as his team enters the state playoffs. He owns a .663 on-base percentage and an .893 slugging percentage as he has helped White Station to a 15-15 record in Class 3A District 15, one of the top districts in the state.

"We felt it was important to add two catchers in this recruiting class," UAB head coach Brian Shoop said. "Jake German, who committed in the fall, is a right-handed hitter. Harry hits from the left side, so these two will be a great complement to each other. We believe Harry is one of the better left-handed hitters in the Memphis area, so we are excited to add him to our future lineup."

As a junior in 2008, Clark earned all-region honors from the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association. In 2007, he was named to the Super Sophomore Team by Tennessee Baseball Report after htting .439 with 20 RBI for the season. He also earned all-metro honors from the Memphis Commercial Appeal in 2007.

In summer league action, Clark has played for the Germantown (Tenn.) Giants, the Arkansas Lasers and the Mississippi Bandits. He was named to the all-tournament team in both 2005 and 2007 at the USSSA Elite 24 World Series.

"Harry has played in a very good high school league, for a good summer team in the Arkansas Lasers and for the prestigious Dulin's Dodgers in the fall," Shoop said. "He has played against some of the best competition in the South and has hit the best pitching that is out there. We are confident that he will be an excellent performer at this level."

Along with his production on the baseball field, Clark has been one of the top students at White Station. He was one of 25 students at the school to receive Commended status in this year's National Merit Scholarship Program.

"We have signed a lot of gifted and committed students, but Harry is the top student that we have added," Shoop said. "He will actually be our first baseball player participating in the UAB Honors program. This is a challenging curriculum for some of the most gifted students on campus. We are confident that Harry will succeed in both arenas, and we are thrilled to add him to our baseball family."

Clark joins Charles DiBella (Germantown, Tenn./Houston HS), John Frost (Decatur, Ala./Decatur HS), Jacob German (Hoschton, Ga./Mill Creek HS), Mason Hutchins (Daphne, Ala./Daphne HS) and Ryan Ussery (Marietta, Ga./Pope HS) as newcomers for the Blazers in the 2009-10 academic year.