FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University head coach Dan Callahan unveiled a group of seven signees Monday. The Salukis added three pitchers, three infielders and a catcher for the 2010 season.
Wes Neece (Lincoln, Ill.), Lee Weld (Dana, Ill.) and Nick Tindall (O’Fallon, Ill.) are all rated among the Top-100 players in the state according to the Illinois Prep Baseball Report, while Graham Saiko (Newburgh, Ind.) ranks as the second-best defensive infielder in Indiana (by Indiana Prep Baseball Report). Tanner Funke (Algonquin, Ill.), Brock Harding (Springfield, Ill.) and Randy Hoelscher (Belleville, Ill.) are also part of SIU’s early signing class.
“Overall, I really like this group. I think we’ve signed seven guys who will help us immediately,” said Callahan. “They are good kids who come highly recommended and we’ve seen them all experience a lot of success.”
Tanner Funke, LHP, 6-0, 190, Algonquin, Ill. (Huntley H.S.)
All-conference and all-area pick at Huntley High School…Fashioned a 7-4 record with a 1.98 ERA a year ago…Struck out 91 and walked 30 in 65 innings…Is the first player in Huntley High School history to sign with a NCAA Division I program…Also a member of the National Honor Society. Callahan on Funke: “Tanner has the ability to come in and pitch immediately. He has fastball command and a very tight slider. He can be an effective pitcher with that combination.” Huntley Coach Andy Jakubowski on Funke: “Tanner is very passionate about the game of baseball and he always wants the ball in pressure situations. I believe that he will be a key contributor to the pitching staff during his tenure at Southern Illinois University. He is a leader on and off the field, has a tremendous work ethic and is a person of character and integrity. He will be a positive addition to the Saluki Baseball program.” Funke on SIU: “Being from northern Illinois, I felt like I was in a completely different place when I first visited Carbondale and I loved it. I think this program is headed in the right direction and I want to be a part of it. Everyone was very welcoming and it was easy to see how hard the coaches and student-athletes work to be successful.”
Brock Harding, 2B, 5-11, 185, Springfield, Ill. (Rochester H.S.)
Left-handed hitter…First-team all-conference pick who hit .417 with 42 runs scored, eight doubles, three triples, three home runs and 41 RBI a year ago. Callahan on Harding: “Brock is a quality infielder/outfielder who runs very well. We feel his niche in the program will be more as a second baseman. He brings a left-handed bat to the table which will make him more appealing in certain pitching matchups.” Rochester Coach Matt Carlson on Harding: “Brock always comes to the ballpark prepared, focused, and ready to compete. He is a leader by example and I know he will bring that same work ethic and enthusiasm to SIU.” Harding on SIU: “I heard a lot of great things about Coach Callahan and that had a lot to do with my decision to sign with SIU. The campus is great and I am really looking forward to playing in the Missouri Valley Conference.”
Randy Hoelscher, LHP, 6-3, 190, Belleville, Ill. (Belleville West H.S./Springfield College)
Played for former Saluki Lee Meyer at Belleville West High School…Conference Pitcher and Freshman of the Year in his first season at Springfield College…Garnered NJCAA Division II first-team All-American honors after going 9-1 with a 1.62 ERA…Struck out 101 and walked only 16 in 77 innings…The Bulldogs finished the 2008 season with an overall record of 39-11. Callahan on Hoelscher: “With Randy’s experience and success at the junior college level, we feel he can come in and be a Friday guy in the Missouri Valley Conference. He has excellent control, will pitch inside with his fastball, and has an uncanny ability to throw his changeup at any time. He is a proven winner.” Springfield College Coach Steve Torricelli on Hoelscher: “Randy had an unbelievable year for us last season. We’re excited for him to go and play for the Salukis. He throws three pitches for strikes and is a great competitor. Being a first-team All-American as a freshman speaks volumes for him. We look for him to have another big year for us before he begins his career at SIU.” Hoelscher on SIU: “Coach Callahan and his staff consistently showed that they cared throughout the recruiting process and I was impressed by that. However, what really put SIU over the top was seeing the facilities, visiting with the administrators and seeing how strong the university is from an academic standpoint.”
Wes Neece, INF/OF, 6-0, 180, Lincoln, Ill. (Lincoln Community H.S.)
Left-handed hitter who boasted.333 average with three home runs and 24 RBI at Lincoln Community High School last season…Boasted a .395 batting average with two home runs and 17 RBI as a sophomore…Two-time all-conference honoree in football. Callahan on Neece: “Wes runs well and is a good hitter. He is a very good athlete who will push for quality playing time as a freshman.” Lincoln Community Coach Pat Hake on Neece: “Wes brings a lot of athleticism to the table and he can play anywhere. The thing that separates him most from other high school kids I’ve seen is his at-bats. He is patient and attacks aggressively. I think he’ll adapt well to the Division I level.” Neece on SIU: “SIU is a perfect fit for me. I was there two years ago and immediately had that home-away-from-home feeling. The coaches are great and they treated me with respect.”
Graham Saiko, SS, 6-0, 180, Castle, Ind. (Castle H.S.)
Rated the 15th-best player, second-best defensive infielder and fifth-best hitter in the state according to the Indiana Prep Baseball Report…Is ranked No. 1 academically in his class…Hit .409 with eight home runs as a junior…Also played football and basketball throughout his entire prep career…Led his team to a 5A sectional championship as quarterback. Callahan on Saiko: “Graham will bring a lot of athleticism to our program. He can swing it and he has enough true arm strength to be a quality shortstop. He has been a three-sport athlete all through high school and we feel once he concentrates solely on baseball, he is going to make himself that much a better player.” Saiko on SIU: “The coaches and players treated me well on my visit and it’s an honor to get the opportunity to play baseball for the Salukis. The MVC is one of the top baseball conferences and I look forward to playing at the Division I level.”
Nick Tindall, C, 6-3, 190, O’Fallon, Ill. (O’Fallon H.S.)
Rated as one of the best catchers and 56th overall player in the state according to the Illinois Prep Baseball Report…Also a member of the National Honor Society. Callahan on Tindall: “Nick will enter our program with the rare ability to be an everyday type of catcher as a freshman. He is a very good catch and throw guy, and brings a lot of offense to the table. He also possesses the versatility to move around on the infield if the need arises.” O’Fallon Coach Jason Portz on Tindall: “Nick is one of the finest defensive catchers in the state. He is a great receiver and blocker, and has a strong throwing arm. His physical attributes will make him an outstanding recruit for the Salukis.” Tindall on SIU: “I enjoyed talking to the coaches and players on my visit and loved the campus. I am definitely looking forward to being a Saluki and playing in the Valley.”
Lee Weld, RHP, 5-10, 175, Dana, Ill. (Fieldcrest H.S.)
Three-time all-conference selection at Fieldcrest High School…Went 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA and two saves in 60 innings last season…Hit .342 with five doubles, three triples a home run and nine stolen bases…Was a combined 12-0 on the mound in his first two prep seasons (4-0 as a freshman, 8-0 as a sophomore). Callahan on Weld: “During the recruiting process, Lee reminded us a lot of former Saluki great Jason Frasor. He has very good arm strength and competes with a lot of emotion. I can see Lee as a closer, or at the very least, a quality setup guy.” Fieldcrest Coach Mark Brown on Weld: “It has been great watching Lee grow and develop over the past three years. He has put in the time and has worked very diligently at making himself a better player. Lee always strives to do things the right way and I think his attitude will help him be successful at the next level. He brings an incredible work ethic and desire to win to the Saluki baseball program.” Weld on SIU: “I really liked the campus and felt SIU was a good fit for me. It’s going to be a great experience playing at SIU.”
