Will he go or stay?

~ Southeast's catcher refuses to tip his hand.

This week's Ohio Valley Conference tournament could mark the end of Jim Klocke's college career if Southeast Missouri State doesn't win the championship and earn the OVC's automatic NCAA berth.

Klocke, a junior, would be welcomed back with open arms to Southeast next season.

But the standout catcher is likely to be selected in next month's amateur draft.

That would leave Klocke with an interesting decision, depending on how high he is drafted.

Jim Klocke repeated as an all-Ohio Valley Conference first-team selection Tuesday. (Fred Lynch)

"What Jim has done in his first three years here is incredible and I know he's drawing a lot of interest from the [professional] scouts," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "We'd love to have him back, but the main thing is whatever's best for him and his family."

Klocke knows he soon could be forced to make a tough decision.

But for now the St. Louis native said he is focused only on the six-team, double-elimination OVC tournament in Paducah, Ky.

Fourth-seeded Southeast (26-23) plays the tournament opener at 2:30 p.m. today against fifth-seeded Tennessee Tech (26-22-1).

"I'm just focused on this season," Klocke said. "It [the [JUMP]draft] doesn't matter right now."

Klocke has been one of Southeast's top players since his freshman season and, if this is his final collegiate campaign, he's going out in style.

A recent surge has boosted Klocke's batting average to a team-leading .404, which ranks seventh in the OVC.

"I've felt good the past couple of weeks," said Klocke, who has a 15-game hitting streak. "I hope it carries over into Paducah."

In other OVC rankings, Klocke is third in doubles (19), third in on-base percentage (.498), tied for fifth in walks (29), sixth in runs scored (55) and eighth in slugging percentage (.674). All those figures lead the Redhawks.

Additionally, Klocke has nine homers and 46 RBIs.

"He's just having a tremendous season," Hogan said.

And that's not to mention what Klocke has done on the mound in his first season as a college pitcher.

Klocke is Southeast's closer and, although he has struggled some in recent outings, his seven saves are tied for third in the OVC. That also ranks third in Southeast single-season history and is tied for third on the program's career list.

"To be able to put up the kind of offensive numbers Jim has, and then to come from behind the plate to finish off games for us has been really impressive," Hogan said. "But that's the type of competitor he is."

Klocke, who has a 2-4 record with a 5.70 ERA, said he relishes the competition and will be ready to take the mound at the OVC tournament.

"I love having the ball in my hands with the game on the line," he said. "With all the catching, it [pitching] wears on my legs sometimes, but I'll be ready to go."

Klocke, a product of perennial state baseball power Vianney High School, was the OVC rookie of the year in 2007 when he batted .324 to rank second on the squad. His performance also earned him freshman All-American honors.

He was first-team all-OVC last season as he led the Redhawks with a .357 average, along with six homers, seven doubles and 40 RBIs.

Klocke was selected to one preseason All-American team this year and he has lived up to that billing, putting up the best numbers of his college career. He repeated as first-team all-OVC catcher Tuesday.

As good as Klocke has been on the field, he is equally impressive off it. Klocke recently was among six OVC baseball players named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District first team.

Klocke has a 3.92 cumulative grade-point average while majoring in business administration with an emphasis in finance. His name will appear on the national ballot for consideration for Academic All-American honors.

"Jim is just the total package," Hogan said. "We've had a lot of great players come through the program, but he's right up there with anybody."

Klocke already ranks high on many of the program's single-season and career top-10 lists and would keep moving up the ladder if he returns to the Redhawks next year.

That is to be determined.