Baseball Signs Infielder Chris McCulloch
06/21/2004 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
June 21, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University head coach Dan Callahan announced today that Chris McCulloch signed a national letter of intent to play for the Salukis in 2005.
A third baseman, McCulloch (6-1, 205) is from Topeka, Kan., and transfers to SIU from Allen County Community College, where he hit .365 with five home runs and a perfect 11-of-11 stolen bases last season. He also led the Red Devils with 50 RBI and was named second-team all-Jayhawk Conference.
Prior to ACCC, McCulloch attended Seaman High School, where he helped lead his team to a state championship as a sophomore. A two-time all-conference selection, he capped off his prep career by hitting .434, as his team finished second in the state that year.
"With the departure of Nathan Boldt, Chris definitely fills a need," said Callahan. "We feel he has the potential to be a middle of the lineup type of player, and since he had a great deal of success in one of the top junior college conferences in the country, we're confident he'll bring a lot of experience to Saluki Baseball."
McCulloch joins Hunter Harrigan (C, Highlands Ranch, Colo.), 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 SIU's 2005 class.
In addition to the nine signees, Callahan mentioned that because of the departure of left-handed pitcher Eric Haberer, the Salukis look to sign one or two more pitchers and a middle infielder.
