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David Ricker - UNC Asheville


David Ricker 
Hometown: Edneyville, North Carolina
High School: Hendersonville High School (Class of 2006)
College: UNC Asheville (2009-2011), University of Maine (2007)


Height: 6'3"  Weight: 235
Positions: LHP/RHP, 1B (LHP in college)
Bats: Switch hitter
Throws: Both, ambidextrous
Velocity: 86 mph left-handed in 2005

Dominant Arm: Natural Lefty
"I think he throws harder and his ball moves a little more when he's pitching left-handed. He throws a lot more off-speed pitches when he's a right-hander." - Hendersonville coach Mark Cook


David Ricker was an ambidextrous pitcher at Hendersonville High School in North Carolina.

Ricker earned All-State, All-Conference, and All-Area awards as a senior at Hendersonville for head coach Mark Cook...played for the East Cobb Astros AAU team which won the 16U National Championship... made it to the quarterfinals of the 2005 18 UWWBA wooden bat national championship. As a senior, David Ricker was named an N.C. Scholar.

Baseball Profile and Statistics

#30 David Ricker - UNC Asheville Bulldogs

David Ricker Baseball Profile - Perfect Game USA
As many followers of HS baseball know, Ricker is not only a switch hitter, but he is also a switch pitcher. He can comfortably pitch with both arms and can get hitters out either way. His fastball topped out at 85 while throwing left-handed, and 83 while throwing right-handed.

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In the News

Bear hope to overcome adversity. Ambidextrous pitcher, starting catcher dismissed
By Pete Warner, Bangor Daily News, Mar 22, 2007

The Black Bears faced additional adversity upon their return to campus, as sophomore catcher Sean Parker of Worcester, Mass., and ambidextrous freshman pitcher David Ricker of Hendersonville, N.C., were dismissed from the team fro violating team rules, according to a UMaine statement released Wednesday.

Ricker pitched in four game for the Black Bears, yielding 17 hits and 15 earned runs for a 27.00 earned run average. Read more



Edward Jones / Times-News Prep Player of the Week

Bearcat right- and left-handed pitcher headed to play in Maine in the fall

May 2, 2006

David Ricker is well-armed to say the least and his unique talent gives him an advantage over most high school pitchers.
The Hendersonville star is ambidextrous, and his rare ability allows him to baffle opponents and spectators, including his coach.
"I've never seen anything like it," said Hendersonville coach Mark Cook. "He just picks up a glove and changes hands."
Read more


Play at the plate

By Jeremy Trantham
Times-News Staff Writer

May 12, 2006


The Bearcats (10-9, 7-5) took a 10-0 lead after four innings and held on for a 10-5 Western Highlands Conference win over the Wolverines (12-12, 7-5) behind 14 strikeouts from ace David Ricker. Ricker also homered and scored twice as Hendersonville clinched the only automatic 1-A playoff berth from the 1-A/2-A WHC.
"I was real pleased with the kids today, they played well," said Hendersonville coach Mark Cook. "We still had that one inning that comes back to get us -- that's been haunting us all year. But they really hit the ball well today and David threw a great game, left- and right-handed."


Double Trouble

Hendersonville sophomore Ricker can bring it -- with either arm

March 21, 2004
A double-barreled shotgun -- that's the best way to describe Hender-sonville baseball coach Jerry Smith's latest weapon.
He's a 6-2, 205-pound sophomore pitcher who is all muscle. His name is David Ricker, and he can reach in the mid-80s when he delivers from his powerful left arm.
But his right arm is just as powerful, as he can get over 80 with it as well from the mound, which is something Smith has seen just one other time in his career.
Read more

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