BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University baseball signed three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, head coach Billy Jones announced on Wednesday. Infielder Cole McKissock (Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy), infielder J.T. Stone (Fayetteville, N.C./Pine Forest) and infielder/right-handed pitcher Alex Vanderstok (Clemmons, N.C./West Forsyth) will start attending Appalachian State next fall and take the field for the Mountaineers as freshmen in 2017.

“With last year's large signing class dominated by pitching, the sole focus of our recruiting efforts this year was to identify infielders that can contribute as true freshman in 2017. These very talented student-athletes fit the bill,” Jones said. “All three have played shortstop throughout their high-school careers and have the ability to contribute across the infield and be a big part of our lineup here at App State. As a bonus, with a fastball clocked at 91, Vanderstok has the potential to be a closer at the Division I level. All in all, I'm very pleased that they are Mountaineers and am excited for them to join us next fall.”   

COLE McKISSOCK (IF, 6-1, 185, R/R, Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy)
	Ranked No. 23 player in the state of Colorado by Prep Baseball Report ... named 2015 Perfect Game honorable-mention underclass all-American ... earned all-area recognition after hitting .304 as a sophomore ... hit .476 as a freshman ... coached by Doug Goldberg ... plays summer ball for Slammers Baseball (coach Mark Holzemer) and fall ball for the Colorado Springs Arena Gladiators (coaches Bernie Moncallo and Mark Swope) ... hit .485 with .595 on-base percentage, six doubles, a triple and a home run this fall for the Gladiators ... named all-academic team shortstop at 2015 Arizona Junior Fall Classic. “Cole has been a big part of our team the past fall and summer. He played all over the infield for us. Cole is a very athletic player which allowed him to play short, third, second and even the outfield for us. Cole has a short compact stroke at the plate that translates into him being a consistent hitter who hits the ball well to the other field. Cole has a good personality which has made it easy for him to fit in with our team. He is a very good competitor who has worked hard in the offseason, spring, summer and fall to achieve his goal of playing college baseball. He will definitely be an asset to the Appalachian State program.” — Mark Holzemer (president, Slammers Baseball and associate scout, Colorado Rockies)
J.T. STONE (IF, 5-10, 180, L/R, Fayetteville, N.C./Pine Forest)
	Has earned Mid-South 4A all-conference recognition all three seasons of his prep career ... hit .459 with eight doubles, a conference-leading four home runs and a .786 slugging percentage en route to all-region honors as a junior in 2015 ... also named team MVP as a junior ... two-time Mid-South 4A all-tournament team honoree ... named to Pitt County all-tournament team as a sophomore (2014) ... identified as a Player to Watch by the Fayetteville Observer as a freshman in 2013 ... two-time State Games participant ... coached by Tom Willoughby ... father, Marty Stone, was a professional bass fisherman that was a member of the B.A.S.S. Tour for more than 20 years, won two B.A.S.S Top 100 Elite events and was runner-up for the 2005 Angler of the Year Award. “J.T. is a very hard working young man with a lot of passion in his heart and pop in his bat. He makes everyone around him better through his work ethic.” — Tom Willoughby (head coach, Pine Forest H.S.)
ALEX VANDERSTOK (IF/RHP, 6-1, 185, R/R, Clemmons, N.C./West Forsyth)
	2016 preseason all-American ... ranked among America's top 100 high-school prospects at third base ... two-time all-conference performer helped lead West Forsyth to state championship as a sophomore in 2014 ... was named state championship MVP and conference Player of the Year in 2014 ... coached by Brad Bullard ... also participates for Chain Baseball (coach Andy Burress). “Alex is one of the hardest-working kids I have ever coached. He is one of the few kids that I can say will play in the big leagues one day, just because of his makeup.” — Andy Burress (managing partner, Chain Baseball)