Michael Rogers, a two-time all-America pitcher at N.C. State and six-year professional baseball veteran, has joined Appalachian State's   baseball staff as an assistant coach, head coach Billy Jones announced on Thursday. Rogers will serve as the Mountaineers's pitching coach.

Michael Rogers is one of the fiercest competitors I know. His enthusiasm and work ethic will be infectious throughout our clubhouse, Jones said. He holds himself to a high standard and will bring that standard to our pitching staff. His ability to relate and jump in the trenches with our pitching staff is going to be evident right away.

Rogers will be reunited at Appalachian State with Jones, who was an assistant coach at N.C. State when Rogers was a member of the Wolfpack's starting pitching rotation from 2002-04. After a promising true freshman campaign was cut short due to injury, he went on be named a freshman all-American as a redshirt frosh in 2003 and earned third-team all-America accolades in both 2003 and 2004.

Rogers was also a two-time all-Atlantic Coast Conference honoree, a five-time ACC Pitcher of the Week and was named National Pitcher of the Week as a sophomore in 2004.

I am very excited to join the Appalachian State baseball staff, Rogers said. After playing for Coach Jones and knowing the type of person he is, I have tremendous respect for him and know we will do great things for this program. I look forward to the challenges ahead as we look to return to the NCAA Tournament. After walking on to campus, it was clear this was a great opportunity for myself and family and I'm excited to get started.

-- "Staff Reporting"