Central ace LaBruyere will pitch for Redhawks

~ Jackson sprinter Kahle to run track for Southeast women.

The Southeast Missourian baseball player of the year for 2006 is staying in Southeast Missouri.

Central pitcher Brad LaBruyere signed a letter of intent this week to play baseball at Southeast Missouri State University.

LaBruyere, a right-handed pitcher, was 11-1 as a junior -- his only loss came in relief -- with an earned run average of 0.79 in 71 innings. He struck out 95 and walked 15 to earn first-team all-state honors in addition to Southeast Missourian player of the year.

He was also named to the all-Southeast Missourian first team as a sophomore and earned second-team all-state honors that season. LaBruyere was 8-2 with two saves in 2004. He had an 0.92 ERA in 68 2/3 innings, striking out 94 and throwing two no-hitters.

"We are extremely excited to sign a young man of Brad's character and ability," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said in a news release. "We have been following him for a while and feel that he will make a great impact in our program on and off the field. Brad really wanted to be a Redhawk and play his collegiate baseball in his hometown.

"He is one of the most heralded pitchers in Southeast Missouri history, and we are glad to have a proven winner like Brad join our program."

Southeast this week in the early signing period also inked Brandon Craig, a shortstop from Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Craig, originally from California, sat out 2006 with an injury after batting .374 and leading the team in hits, runs, RBIs and stolen bases as a freshman.

Kahle signs for track

Jackson senior track standout Rachel Kahle, who competed in four events at the Class 4 state track meet last spring, also signed with Southeast Missouri State this week.

As a junior, Kahle finished sixth in the state in both the 100- and 200-meter runs while also competing in the long and triple jumps.

"We're really excited to have her," Southeast coach Joey Haines said. "She'll be a really outstanding runner for us."