Klocke stays with Redhawks

~ The Southeast catcher will return for his senior season after failing to agree to a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals

One of the Ohio Valley Conference's top baseball players will return to Southeast Missouri State for his senior season.

Jim Klocke said Monday that he will put a potential professional baseball career on hold.

"I'm coming back to Southeast," said Klocke, the all-OVC first-team catcher the past two seasons. "I think it's the best decision for me at this time."

Klocke was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 46th round of the June amateur draft. Monday was the deadline for him to sign with the Cardinals. By returning to Southeast, he will re-enter next year's draft pool.

Klocke has been the Redhawks' starting catcher for three seasons. He also filled the role of closer his junior season.

"We just couldn't work out an agreeable deal," said Klocke of financial negotiations with the Cardinals. "I knew I had an opportunity to come back to school if things didn't work out.

"Now I can finish up my degree instead of waiting to finish up while I'm playing [professional] baseball, so this is just the best decision all the way around."

Klocke, a St. Louis native, excels in the classroom as well as on the diamond. He earned Academic All-America second-team honors this year and is on track to graduate in May with a degree in finance.

On the field, Klocke was named to the Louisville Slugger All-America third team and earned honorable mention on the Ping! All-America squad.

Klocke finished his junior season ranked in the top 100 nationally in batting average (.394, 86th), doubles (20, 64th) and on-base percentage (.484, 73rd). He had nine homers, 46 RBIs and a .654 slugging percentage.

"I'm excited to finish out my college career and have another opportunity to win an OVC championship," said Klocke, a starter since his freshman season and on track to finish at or near the top of many of the school's career statistical categories.

Klocke, who played in the Cape Cod League for the second straight summer, still has his sights set on professional baseball. He should receive that opportunity next year.

"I still have to perform at a high level, but the possibility is still there to get drafted next year," he said.