Bolivar, Mo. - SBU Interim Head Baseball Coach Chris Martin has announced six early signings for the 2012-2013 recruiting class.  These signings give the baseball team 28 commitments in the four months since Martin was named Interim Head Coach.  Martin had this to say about the class:  “We are excited about the start of this class.  I want to thank our coaching staff for their work in identifying and then getting these kids on our campus.  It takes a lot of time and energy to recruit and our staff has done a good job in doing those things.  SBU is a great place to recruit too and we think we have a lot to offer student-athletes.  We still have more work to do but this is a great start.  These guys will help us not only on the field but in helping build our program in all areas.  They are great fits for our university.  We have high expectations for this group.” 
 
Cole Roark, RHP, Rolla, MO (Rolla HS)
Coach Martin on Cole:  “Cole is a pitcher we targeted very early in the process.  He has a big-time arm and really had a breakout summer.  He can be as good as he wants to be and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with him on a daily basis.  He will be a great fit for our program and will help us get to where we want to be.” 
 
Scott Huesemann, LHP, St. Peters, MO (Francis Howell Central HS)
Coach Martin on Scott:  “Scott is another pitcher we targeted early.  He also had a breakout summer and possesses a power arm from the left side.  Scott is a pitcher who will just keep getting better.  He is a guy who can come in and help us out right away.  We got to know his family during the recruiting process and are really excited they are joining the Bearcat family.” 
 
Tyler Hampton, C, Willard, MO (Willard HS)
Coach Martin on Tyler:  “We wanted to sign one catcher and Tyler was our top target.  He comes out of one of the top high school programs in MO.  Tyler will help us from day 1.  He is a great fit for our program and university.  I really like what he brings in terms of his ability to handle pitchers and what he can do offensively.  Tyler is a winning player.” 

 

Christian Binger, MIF, Kansas City, MO (Homeschool)
Coach Martin on Christian:  “Christian comes highly recommended to us from respected baseball people in the Kansas City area.  He plays for the Kansas City Sluggers baseball organization.  When I first saw him play I knew we had to get him in our program.  He competes hard and is a tough player.  But he is also a very good player.  He will be a great addition to our team and university.”
 
Gage Compton, OF, Olathe, KS (Olathe East HS)
Coach Martin on Gage:  “Gage is the first kid we had on campus for this class.  Gage is one of the most driven athletes we have ever recruited.  We also feel he has the tools necessary to be a good outfielder at this level right away.  He is a great competitor and will improve our team from day 1.  He is a great student and will be a great fit for our university.” 
 


Josh Herrick, 3B/2B, Eureka, MO (Jefferson County Community College)
Coach Martin on Josh:  “Josh really embodies what we want our program to be about.  He is a good player, he plays hard and he is a good student.  He will be a leader both on and off the field for us.  He'll bring a winning attitude with him as he plays for one of the most successful junior college programs in the country.  Josh will be a great representative of what SBU stands for.”