They wanted to sign a high school future
replacement for the probably departing Zach Cozart. That was taken care of with
the commitment of Tim Ferguson.
Last year's class they focused on left
handed pitchers, as they signed five south paws. This year, the focus has shifted
to right handed pitchers, to keep a well balanced staff. So far, so good, as the
Rebels just committed their 4th RHP pitcher in David Goforth.
The 6' 0",
180 pounder from Neshoba Central was 6 - 2 last season with a 1.98 ERA. He threw
an impressive 85 K's and only 13 walks in 50 innings. The numbers go a little
deeper. In four of the nine starts David had last season, he gave up 2 or fewer
hits. He pitched a no-hitter against his bitter rival, Philadelphia, and followed
that performance with a 2 hit shutout against Forest the next start.
In
the State Games baseball tournament this summer, David shined.
"The
State Games of Mississippi baseball tournament was designed for players like Neshoba
Central’s David Goforth and the rising senior took the opportunity to grab
the spotlight Friday night," added Marty Stamper from the Meridian Star.
"Goforth tossed a six-hit complete game as District Four remained undefeated
with an 8-5 win over District Five. Goforth struck out nine and walked three.
He got stronger as the game went on, striking out two in each of the final three
frames and was throwing in the low 90s late in the game. At the plate, Goforth
had two triples in the second inning as District Four sent 11 batters to the plate
and scored all eight of its runs."
David was named to Gene's
Page 1st Team All-Junior squad and is expected to be one of the top overall
players in the Magnolia state next season.
What makes him so good?
"I
throw a pretty good fastball," added David Goforth. I hit 95 on Corky Palmer's
(USM head coach) radar at the State Games this summer. I probably average around
90."
Those are some pretty powerful numbers for any 16 year old kid,
but David possesses much more than a fastball.
"I throw 5 or 6 pitches.
My main pitches are my fastball, slider, and circle change up. But I do throw
a spliter, and a drop down side arm fastball and curveball. My sidearm averages
around 84-86 MPH, so it keeps them off balance."
Goforth ended his
recruitment early when he committed to the Rebels.
"I have always
liked the atmosphere and just about everything with Ole Miss baseball. I have
been to a couple of their football games, and I just liked the atmosphere. When
I came on an unofficial visit my junior year, I knew right them I wanted to be
a Rebel. They let me walk on their football and baseball fields when Coach McDonnel
was there. It was great. I knew right then that if Ole Miss were to offer me,
I was going."
Who else was actively recruiting Neshoba Central's '06
MVP?
"I talked to Coach Buroughs from USM a lot, and I talked to Coach
Rafo at MSU a lot. The three state schools and Meridian CC were recruiting me
the hardest."
Look for Ole Miss to try and add one more RHP, a juco
short stop, and a catcher for the remaining slots for the Fall class. The now
have 8 public commitments.
To view this list, click
here.