A MAC COMBO DEAL

Kelly's Jason Glastetter and Oran's Dustin Dannenmueller, Dustin Glastetter and Billy Loper have each signed letters of intent to play baseball for Mineral Area College in Park Hills next year.

"The Oran kids went to state the last two years and Kelly was good enough to go to state," said Mineral Area coach Jim Komar. "All these kids come from solid programs which are well coached."

Dannenmueller, Loper and Dustin Glastetter were the top three reasons the Eagles advanced to the Final Four this past season.

Dustin Glastetter (10-3) was one of Southeast Missouri's most dominant pitchers this past year. Heading into the state semifinals, Glastetter boasted a 1.78 earned run average and had struck out 105 batters, while walking just 23.

Dannenmueller was the team's leading hitter with a .435 average. He also hit four homers and drove in 40 runs. He was also the Eagles' No. 2 starter and would've been the No. 1 on almost any other team in the area. Dannenmueller went 9-2 with an ERA of 2.52 before his win over Northwest (Hughesville) in the third-place game. Dannenmueller fanned 65.

Loper entered the Final Four with a .444 batting average, two homers and 28 RBIs and was the hottest hitter at Simmons Field in Columbia.

"I saw them play five times this year and I saw them play as juniors," said Komar. "Dustin Glastetter really impressed me on the mound. And Dannenmueller will be able to play three infield positions.

"And Loper is a big, strong young man. We'll experiment with him on the mound as well. He had a real strong couple of weeks to finish the season. I don't think he's nearly reached his potential as a player."

Jason Glastetter, who was recently scouted by the Boston Red Sox, was a team-leader for the Hawks (19-5), which was ranked fourth in the state heading into districts. Regarded as one of the region's most dangerous hitters, Jason hit .344 with 5 homers and 24 RBIs and scored a team-high 37 runs during his senior campaign. He also set a school record with 28 walks.

Jason also pitched some, but was limited on the mound after suffering from a shoulder injury in the beginning of the season.

Jason, a strapping first-baseman, was one of the most versatile players in the region. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he hit for power, but also had enough speed to steal 12 bases. In fact, he was 46-for-46 in stolen bases during his career. He had 10 career homers and 69 career RBIs.

"He's a real strong guy who can play left or right or first or infield," said Komar. "He's got some quickness and some power and will help us at this level."

"He's obviously been a great player for us and this is an excellent opportunity for him to continue his career," said Kelly coach Mike Scott. "He's a great athlete and he's just scratching the surface as to what he could do as a player. He's brought a lot to our program and has been a big part of our success."

Kelly went 56-19 with Jason Glastetter on the varsity roster.

Mineral Area College finished with a record of 18-31 last year.

Three Rivers grabs Wallace

Advance's Chris Wallace, one of the region's most productive high school sluggers this past baseball season, has signed to play baseball at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.

Wallace, a burly first baseman, led Southeast Missouri with 12 regular-season home runs and batted .507 during his senior campaign. He knocked in 38 runs. Wallace was also Advance's No. 2 pitching, going 3-2 with a 1.32 earned run average. He struck out 45 and walked just nine.

"He had a phenomenal year and he's one of the hardest workers I've ever coached," said Advance coach Chuck Powers. "Playing college ball has always been his goal and I'm glad that he'll be playing at a local college where I can follow his progress."

Cary signs with St. Louis Community College

Doug Cary, a recent graduate of Jackson High School, has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Florissant Valley Community College in St. Louis next year.

Cary was arguably the best perimeter shooter in the area this past season, hitting 71 shots and shooting 52 percent from behind the arc for the Indians.

"He was a great 3-point shooter and he helped us so much cause they had to have a guy on him all the time," said Jackson coach Steve Burk. "He's as good of a shooter as we've had here. Between his junior and senior years he improved the other aspects of the game and he'll continue to improve and that's what you look for. He was coachable and intelligent on the floor. His best quality was that he got better every year. He had some great games for us."

Cary, a two-year starter, was named to the University High All Tournament team, the all-district first team, the all-region first team and the all-conference second team.