BASEBALL NEWS

LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF SPORTS INFORMATION

Sports Release                                                                                             May 22, 2008

Sziksai Announces The Addition Of Five Signees

Ben Adleburg

Isaac Edmonds

Joseph Salerno

Josh Strawn

Sean Woolard

HARROGATE, TN - Coming on the heels of the signing of pitchers Jeff Ludlow and Brandon Neff just a few days ago, LMU baseball Head Coach Jeff Sziksai announced today the signing of five more prospects that will join the Railsplitter baseball program this fall. 

“We are very proud to have these five guys join our program this fall,” said Sziksai.  “They are not only accomplished baseball players from highly successful programs, they are great human beings.  Our goals with this years recruiting class were to create an intensely competitive environment on the mound and add some offensive firepower to our lineup.  Coach Schmalz has done an outstanding job and the addition of these five guys hits the mark.  However, we are not done and expect to continue to add to this outstanding recruiting class in the coming weeks.  I am very excited to get started in the fall, it should be very exciting.”  

Sean Woolard, a 6’3 170lb right handed pitcher, will join LMU from Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Colorado.  This season for coach Scott Douglas, Woolard posted a 2.59 ERA, pitched six complete games, compiled 58 strikeouts and only 11 walks in 75.2 innings of work, while opposing batters hit a mere .210 against him.  In addition, Woolard was instrumental in helping to lead the Trojans to the Empire Conference Championship.   Head Coach Jeff Sziksai commented on the signing of Woolard, “Sean is a tremendous addition to our program.  He is a legit arm that will come in and compete for weekend innings right away.  He is another guy that not only has good stuff, but is an intense competitor.  We have a close relationship with Trinidad because Ryan (Schmalz) played for Coach Douglas.  We know his guys are going to compete.”  Sean is the son of Jim and Terri Woolard, and is planning on majoring in history while at LMU.

Josh Strawn joins the Railsplitter baseball program after a great pitching career at Manatee Community College in Bradenton, Florida.  Manatee Head Coach Tim Hill said, “Josh was a work horse for us this year.   He was able to bounce back on short rest and the bigger the game, the better he was.”  This season the 5’11 right-hander posted a 6-5 record, a 4.0 ERA, 47 strikeouts and five saves in 64 innings of work.  His efforts were good enough to be named Suncoast Conference “Fireman of the Year”, an award to given the leagues top reliever.  Strawn also helped to lead the Lancers to 37-14 overall record, and an appearance in the FCCAA Tournament championship game.  “Josh is another great sign for us,” said Sziksai.  “He is a guy that brings a lot of experience to the table and was his teams go-to-guy this year.  Josh will compete for weekend starter or closer role right away.”  Josh is the son of Jake and Rhonda Strawn and intends on majoring in Business while at LMU.

Ben Adleburg comes to LMU after an impressive season as an outfielder at North Florida Community College in Madison, Florida.  During his sophomore year for coach Steve Givens, the 6’1” 190 lb. Adleburg put up impressive numbers including a .338 average, 10 HR’s, 11 stolen bases and a team leading 47 RBI.  His efforts earned him All-Panhandle Conference honors, FCCAA Player of the Week once, all of which helped to lead the Sentinels to a 33-13 overall record.  NFCC Head Coach said, “Ben was an outstanding player in one of the finest junior college conferences in the country.  He continues to improve at an impressive rate and should be a star at LMU.”  On the addition of Adleberg, Sziksai added, “Ben is a great sign for us.  We lost our one through three hitters from this year’s team to graduation, and the addition of Adleburg really helps us to replenish our lineup.  He is a great kid and a great player and he should have an immediate impact for us.”  Ben is the son of Frances Adleberg and plans on majoring in Kinesiology while at LMU

Isaac Edmonds comes to LMU from The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee after playing middle infield for coaching legend Gene Etter.  This season the 5’9 165 lb. Edmonds led his team with a .467 batting average, hit two homeruns, stole 10 bases and struck out only one time in over 100 at bats this year.  In addition, he helped to lead the Raiders to a 31-6 overall record, a sectional championship and a trip to the Tennessee State Tournament in Nashville.  Sziksai added, “We are very pleased to have signed Isaac into our program.  He is a very intelligent player that can really handle the bat.  He runs well, and is a very good defender.  I am excited to see Isaac develop as he continues to get stronger.  Isaac has a chance to help us right away, and I know he will have a bright future at LMU.”  Isaac is the son of Carroll and Debbie Edmonds.   

Joseph Salerno joins the Railsplitter baseball program after pitching for Freedom High School in Orlando, Florida.  During his four-year career, the 6’1, 175 lb. Salerno was a two-time All-Metro Conference selection, accumulated 24 wins and struck out 207 batters while his team posted 73 wins over that span.  Freedom High Coach George Kirchgassner had this to say about Salerno, “He’ll be a front line guy in his freshman year.  You got a good one in Joseph.”  On the addition of Salerno, Sziksai added, “We are excited about getting Joseph into our program.  He has a chance to help us right away, and if he develops physically he will have a very good career at LMU.”  Joseph is the son of Joseph and Vicki Salerno, and is planning on majoring in Business Management while at LMU.

The baseball team returns to action in late August when fall practice is expected to begin. 

-LMU-

For additional comments please contact,
Head Coach:  Jeff Sziksai
Phone:  (423) 869-6345