Indians fill holes with promising recruits

Three transfers from other Division I programs and several promising junior-college pitchers highlight Southeast Missouri State University's baseball recruiting class for the 2003 season.

All told, 11 transfers -- including eight from the junior college ranks -- and eight freshmen will join a program that is coming off a big season.

The Indians won their first Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championship last year, backed that up with an OVC Tournament title and won an NCAA Division I Tournament game for the first time.

"I'm really excited about our new recruits," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "We signed really good athletes and we're excited to get them on the field."

The Indians didn't lose many starters from last year, but the ones that are gone all were major contributors.

Position players who completed their eligibility are center fielder Vern Hatton, the team's leading hitter, and second baseman Clemente Bonilla, the OVC's career and single-season walks leader who was the league tournament MVP.

Graduation particularly took its toll on the Indians' pitching staff. Brad Purcell, the OVC Pitcher of the Year, and Brandon Smith both tied the school single-season record by winning 12 games apiece. Reliever Mark Frazier had three victories and five saves.

"We didn't lose that many players but we lost some really good ones," Hogan said.

Competition at second

Two of the Division I transfers could battle to replace Bonilla at second base.

Justin Christian started at second for Auburn two years ago, batting .260 and stealing 20 bases as the Tigers' leadoff hitter. He had shoulder surgery following that season and never fully recovered as he redshirted last year before leaving the program. Hogan said Christian, who has just one season of eligibility remaining, appears to be healthy now.

Brad Olivier was at Wichita State last year but did not see any action, partly because of an injury, but Hogan said the junior also appears to have recovered well.

The third Division I transfer is junior right-handed pitcher Bill Clayton from Southern Illinois, who was 2-2 for the Salukis last year. He worked 27 2/3 innings, including four starts.

Hogan also is high on junior-college transfer pitchers Stan Skakalski, John Nourie, Korey Klein and Brad Smith. All but Smith are left-handers.

"Skakalski and Nourie are tall, lanky left-handers with some velocity," Hogan said. "Klein is a little lefty with a great breaking ball. Smith really drops down from the side and Clayton is a low 90s guy.

"We lost 27 wins and five saves from last year, but we think some of these new guys will be able to step in. There will certainly be an opportunity for them."

Another junior-college transfer pitcher is right-hander Ryan Forsythe.

Other position players from the junior college ranks are infielder Gary Gilbert, catcher Ryan Dinkleman and outfielder Seth Moulton. Hogan said Gilbert could be another candidate to replace Bonilla while Moulton is exceptionally fast.

Leading freshmen

Among the freshmen signees, there are five pitchers, including former Kennett High School standout Nathan Baker and Brad Bumpus from Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, Mo.

Another freshman, pitcher Mark Wittenborn from Cape Girardeau Central High School, is a walk-on candidate who will be with the team when it begins fall workouts this month.

"We're real satisfied with the physical aspect of the freshmen," Hogan said. "We hope to redshirt most of them, but if one or two is ready to contribute, that's fine."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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