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LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF SPORTS
INFORMATION
Sports Release August
3, 2007
Splitters Add 13 To Baseball Roster
HARROGATE --
After losing nine seniors from the 2007 senior class, Head Baseball Coach
Jeff Sziksai announced this week the commitments of 13 new players for the
2007-2008 season.
Although the team lost
some very talented players, Sziksai feels very confident about his incoming
team. “I am very excited about this group of players. Our coaching staff
has done a tremendous job finding athletes that fit the style and mentality
of our program. We need a special type of player in order for this program
to be successful and each of these young men fit that mold. They are all
tough, blue-collar kids and each one will bring a lot to our program.”
On the heels of a season
that saw the Railsplitters finish with 31wins, their first 30 win season
since 2002, Coach Sziksai has high expectations for this recruiting class.
“Although we will be much younger this year, we have some very skilled
athletes that will have an immediate impact. In addition, this recruiting
class has created competition at every position, which will make the entire
team better. With the loss of nine seniors, almost every position is up for
grabs. I am really looking forward to fall practice to see who emerges.”
In addition to Matt
Byrge (RHP-Anderson Co. High School), Mitch Kramer (LHP-Olney Central
Community College) and Cody Pack (RHP/OF- Anderson Co. High School) who all
signed with LMU in the fall, the following ten student-athletes have
committed to play for the Railplitters next year:
Ray
Burchell
5’10” 155 lbs.
Position: RHP/INF
School: Gibbs High School
Hometown: Corryton, TN
Coaches Comments: “Ray is another
tremendous athlete. He has incredible speed and the athleticism to play
several positions. He also has a live arm on the mound. Ray will develop
into an outstanding college player.”
John
Couch
6’0” 180 lbs.
Position: INF
School: Perry County Central High School
Hometown: Bonnyman, KY
Coaches Comments: “John was one of the
best overall high school players in all of
Eastern Kentucky. He is an outstanding hitter, has a very strong arm, and
was one of the top hitters in the state of Kentucky. He will immediately
make in impact on our program.”
Joe
Horsley
5’11” 160 lbs.
Position: INF
School: Rutledge High School
Hometown: Corryton, TN
Coaches Comments: “Joe is an
outstanding middle infielder with good range and very soft hands. He plays
the game hard and is what we are looking for in a middle infielder.”
Devin
Karlsen
5’9” 160 lbs.
Position: LHP
School: Forest Heights
Hometown: Kitchener, ONT
Coaches Comments: “Devin is a strike
throwing left hander with the ability to throw three pitches consistently
for strikes. He has a great feel for pitching and keeping hitters off
balance. We expect Devin to develop into a very good college pitcher.”
Eric
Kitts
6’0” 170 lbs.
Position: 1B/OF
School: Rutledge High School
Hometown: Blaine, TN
Coaches Comments: “Eric will give us
another left handed bat in our lineup. He is a very disciplined hitter with
power to all fields. We are very excited about the potential Eric brings to
our team.”
Jason
Pabon
6’0” 225
Position: C
School: Wabash Valley College
Hometown: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
Coaches Comments: “Jason as in
outstanding catcher. He has a very accurate arm, and will do an outstanding
job of handling our pitching staff this season. He also has shown the
ability to hit with some power, and will be a force in our lineup.”
Chase
Quarles
Position: INF/UTL
6’3” 165 lbs.
School: Cherokee High School
Hometown: Rogersville, TN
Coaches Comments: “We love Chase’s
versatility. He is a very athletic player, and was an outstanding high
school shortstop, but also has the ability to play the outfield. We believe
his best days are ahead of him.”
Ralph
Rosas
6’3” 220 lbs.
Position: 1B
School: Southeastern Community College
Hometown: Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Coaches Comments: “Ralph has tremendous
natural ability. He is a strong power hitting first baseman who will be an
intimidating force in our lineup.”
Steven Starbird
Position: LHP
6’1” 165 lbs.
School: Rutledge High School
Hometown: Corryton, TN
Coaches Comments: “Steven will be a
great addition to our pitching staff. He has a very live arm and has the
ability to develop into a dominating pitcher. He has a great feel for
pitching and does a great job of controlling the running game.”
Chris
Telinda
6’0” 180 lbs.
Position: INF
School: Ross High School
Hometown: Hamilton, OH
Coaches Comments: “Chris is one of the
best hitters we saw in the
Cincinnati area. He has the ability to hit to all fields and will be
competing for significant playing time as a freshman.
-LMU-
For additional
comments please contact,
Head Coach: Jeff Sziksai
Phone: (423) 869-6345 |