June 3, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis Head baseball coach Daron Schoenrock looks to remedy some of the offensive struggle his team suffered in the 2008 season with the signing of Richland Junior College catcher Shawn Ablett, it was announced today. The big-hitting backstop is the second junior college recruit to sign with Memphis this summer.

"We are excited about what Shawn can bring to our club," said Schoenrock. "He will bring much-needed leadership to a young club as well as providing experience behind the plate and some power to our lineup."

A two-year letterman for Head Coach Joe Wharton at Richland, Ablett put up standout numbers in his juco career. He hit .380 with 23 homers, 116 RBI, 33 doubles and five triples. The bulk of that offensive production came in the 2008 season in which the Van Alstyne, Texas native hit .360, banged out 17 homers, 20 doubles and drove in 71 runs. Those number helped Richland to a 47-16 finish and a third-place showing in the 2008 NJCAA World Series. Ablett played a vital role in the Thunderducks' march to a District C Championship in his sophomore campaign, hitting .364 with a pair of round-trippers in the district playoffs.

The six-foot Ablett's sophomore season was an encore to a solid rookie campaign at RJC. As a freshman, Ablett drove in 45 runs to go with 13 doubles, six homers and a pair of triples. Richland advanced to the District C title game in 2007.

Ablett was a four-sport star in his prep career at Van Alstyne High School. He was a four-year letterwinner in baseball and in powerlifting, while lettering for three seasons on the football and track teams. While at VAHS, Ablett earned several honors and helped coach Jimmy Haynes squads to four consecutive District 9-3A titles. A four-time All-Area selection behind the plate, Ablett holds career records at Van Alstyne with a .430 batting average and 17 home runs. He also collected 120 RBI in his high school career. Ablett earned District 9-3A Offensive Player of the Year accolades in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He was tabbed the District MVP as a senior after hitting .450 with 50 RBI and five homers. A two-time First Team All-State pick, he was selected to play in the THSBCA 1A-3A North All-Star Game after leading the Panthers to a 30-7 record in 2006.