Baseball Signs Infielder Austin Loyd To NLI

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Head Coach Dave Jarvis and the Belmont baseball staff announced the signing of infielder Austin Loyd to a National Letter of Intent on Thursday afternoon. 

A four-year starter at Providence Christian Academy in Lilburn Georgia, Loyd plays shortstop for head coach Allen Cantrell.  The Snellville, Georgia native will add an excellent left handed bat to the Bruins squad, and can play any three of the infield positions.

Loyd hit .418 while setting a school record of 56 hits in 2011. He also added seven home runs on his way to being named first team all-region and Second Team All-State while leading Providence Christian to a State Finals appearance.

Loyd also plays for Coach Brad Bouras and Team Elite, a very successful travel organization out of Gwinett County Georgia. Current Bruins Greg Brody (Dacula, Ga.) and James Buckelew (Suwanee, Ga.) both played for the same organization before attending Belmont. Loyd has been recognized nationally by Perfect Game as a top player in the state of Georgia and a Top 500 player in the country.   

"We feel very fortunate to sign a player that has the talent of Austin," Jarvis said. "He possesses the potential to come in and play very quickly in his career. Anytime you can get a left-handed hitting infielder that has great potential you get excited.  Austin comes from such a baseball rich area and has succeeded at such a high level.  Austin will be a great addition to Belmont University Baseball."

The 6-1, 180 pound infielder was born in Nashville, Tennessee.