Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball Fills Big Recruiting Need with Catcher Hunter Harrigan
05/10/2004 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
May 10, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - With the way Southern Illinois University's catching situation has panned out this season, head coach Dan Callahan can breathe a sigh of relief, as he announced today that Hunter Harrigan will join the Salukis in 2005.
The need for a solid catcher became a priority throughout the recruiting process. Now, Callahan and his staff can relax, for they know Harrigan has the ability to come in and contribute immediately.
"Since a solid front-line catcher has become one of our biggest recruiting needs, we're very excited about signing Hunter," said Callahan. "He's considered a good catch and throw guy and we think he has the potential to be a solid everyday backstop."
Harrigan (6-1, 210) comes to the Maroon and White from Cowley College, which houses one of the most successful and highly respected junior college baseball programs in the country. The Tigers, who won eight consecutive Jayhawk East championships from 1995-2002, were also NJCAA National Champions on back-to-back occasions in 1997 and 1998.
A native of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Harrigan is hitting .258 with 24 hits, 12 runs scored, two doubles, three home runs and 28 RBI this season. Defensively, he gunned down five runners on the basepaths in 30 starts. He was also drafted by the Texas Rangers shortly after his freshman year.
"Hunter is a hard worker who can handle the running game well," said Cowley College coach Dave Burroughs. "He has good make-up and is solid at blocking balls in the dirt. He likes to win."
Although transferring to SIU from his junior college in Arkansas City, Kan., Harrigan is the third Colorado native and college transfer Callahan has signed in two years. Current Salukis Josh Markle (Longmont, Colo.) and Grant Gerrard (Castle Rock, Colo.) also hail from the Centennial State. Markle transferred to SIU from Treasure Valley Community College, while Gerrard joined the Salukis from the University of Washington.
Since the departure of two-time first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference catcher and 2002 MVC Newcomer of the Year Toby Barnett, SIU has had its share of problems behind the plate.
Heading into the 2004 season, the Salukis expected sophomore Brendan Lutz to be their starter and freshman Rush Olson to back him up. Once Olson re-aggravated an injury he sustained in high school, he was forced to undergo surgery and miss the rest of the year. Sophomore Nathan Emrick, who never played a game at catcher until this season, was then moved to back up Lutz. Emrick (22), however, ended up starting nearly as many games behind the plate as Lutz (25), and between the two, there have been 26 passed balls in 47 games.
Harrigan is the eighth member of SIU's 2005 class. He joins Cody Dunbar (RHP, Herrin, Ill.), Daniel Wells (LHP, Shorewood, Ill.), Ryan Terry (RHP, Palmyra, Mich.), Dean Cadermartori (OF, Norridge, Ill.), Matt DeLong (OF, Jackson, Wis.), Ryan Hypke (SS/2B, Glenarm, Ill.) and Dylan Ward (P/INF, Fairbury, Ill.).
In addition to the eight, Callahan and his staff will look to sign a power hitter, another pitcher and one or possibly two more infielders.
