Baseball announces early signees
11/15/2005 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Nov. 15, 2005
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois loses 13 seniors after this season, but head coach Dan Callahan and his staff have already put a good dent in their 2007 recruiting needs with the addition of eight signees during the fall signing period.
"We went after some high profile and front line kind of athletes, and we're confident we've addressed what will be the departure of this year's senior class," said Callahan. "As has been the case the past several years, we are very excited about our fall signees."
SIU's early signing class features catcher Tom Cerven (Minooka, Ill.), outfielder Aaron Roberts (Chatham, Ill.) and pitchers Tyler Choate (Carmi, Ill.), Daniel Etienne (Eldorado, Ill.) and Bryant George (Duquoin, Ill.). The Salukis also welcome infielders Chris Crank (Rend Lake College/Harrisburg, Ill.), Michael Finigan (Springfield, Ill.) and Lou Johanns (Naperville, Ill.).
All eight of the signees are from Illinois, with three joining the Dawgs from schools within a 50-mile radius of Carbondale.
"When we recruit, it's with the idea that each and every student-athlete has the ability to come in and contribute immediately. This group is no exception," Callahan added. "We will expect each person to come in to compete for playing time and we feel they all have the ability to do so."
Biographical sketches on SIU's fall signees:
Tom Cerven, 6-1, 200, R/R, Catcher, Minooka, Ill.
Notes: Tabbed as the 12th-best prospect in the state by Illinois Prep Baseball Magazine...Last summer, he was the only catcher from Illinois selected to participate in the prestigious Area Code Games, which is a compilation of the top talent in the Midwest competing against the top talent nationally...Hit .390 with four home runs and 30 RBI as a junior at Minooka High School...Will help fill a void left by Saluki senior catchers Hunter Harrigan and Brendan Lutz. Minooka High School Coach Tim Petrovic on Cerven: "He is without a doubt one of the best kids I've ever coached. He has meant so much to our program over the last four years and will be sorely missed. You always know what you're going to get from Tom. He gives it his all in games, practices and in the classroom." Callahan on Cerven: "Tom may very well be the top catching prospect in Illinois, and quite possibly the Midwest."
Tyler Choate, 6-1, 175, L/R, P/INF, Carmi, Ill.
Notes: Right-handed pitcher and left-handed hitting infielder...Ranked 42nd-best prospect in the state by Illinois Prep Baseball Magazine...first-team all-conference pick and his league's MVP as a junior...Hit .478 with three home runs and 29 RBI for a Carmi-White County High School team that went 23-2 and advanced to the the IHSA Super-Sectionals in 2005...Also fashioned a flawless 9-0 record with a 1.09 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 64 innings...Played for the Southern Illinois Bullets last summer, where he hit .378 and compiled a 5-1 record with a 2.62 ERA. Carmi-White County High School Coach Craig Winter on Choate: "Tyler's work ethic, knowledge and passion for the game is second to none. His competitiveness allows him to be effective as a pitcher. He can throw three pitches for strikes and his fastball is developing. I also feel that he is one of the best hitters in Southern Illinois." Callahan on Choate: "Although we've seen more of Tyler on the mound and expect him to help us there, we feel he has the ability to help us as a position player, as well. He also has a strong bat from the left side.
Chris Crank, 6-1, 195, R/R, INF, Harrisburg, Ill./Rend Lake College
Notes:True third baseman, who will help fill a gap created by the loss of seniors Matt Brewer and Chris McCulloch...Hit .340 with nine home runs in his freshman campaign at Rend Lake College...Hit .350 this past summer in a wood bat league in Nashville, Tenn. Rend Lake College Coach Bobby Simpson on Crank: "Chris is a great competitor, who plays hard. He has the ability to add some pop in the middle of the lineup. He will be a great fit for SIU." Callahan on Crank: "Chris has good hands and a plus arm, and will probably be a three, four or five-hole hitter for us. He can make things happen at the plate."
Daniel Etienne, 6-0, 170, R/R, P, Eldorado, Ill.
Notes: Ranked 15th-best prospect in the state by Illinois Prep Magazine...Throws in the high 80s/low 90s...Team Captain who garnered Black Diamond all-conference, all-south and honorable mention all-state honors...Played in the SIBCA All-Star Game...Went 7-3 with a 0.49 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 71 innings for Eldorado High School last season...Also hit .474 with five home runs and 23 RBI as the Eagles' shortstop...Notre Dame and Michigan were among other schools that showed interest. Eldorado High School Coach Greg Goodley on Etienne: "Daniel excels both on and off the field. He's very gifted athletically and wants to be part of a program which strives to be the best." Callahan on Etienne: "Daniel possesses a very good fastball right now. If you look at his numbers, you see he is a power kind of pitcher, and we feel once he develops a slightly sharper breaking ball, he'll be a nice package for us on the mound."
Michael Finigan, 6-1, 160, B/R, INF, Springfield, Ill.
Notes: First switch hitter to play at SIU since Jay Mansavage (1994-96)...Four-year starter at Lanphier High School...Two-time Central State Eight all-conference honoree...Enters his senior year with opportunities to set career records in games played, games started and hits...Three-time Central State Eight all-academic selection...In 2005, he hit .380 with 25 RBI and 17 stolen bases...Spent the summer playing for the Springfield Statesmen (six Statesmen players signed with Division I programs during the early signing period), who posted an overall record of 43-8...Hit .338 with 27 RBI and 17 stolen bases, while going 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA for the Statesmen. Lanphier High School Assistant Coach Brian Graham on Finigan: "Michael has a great attitude, is a hard worker and has really good character. He has good hands, a strong arm and great instincts in the field. I look for him to have a big senior year." Callahan on Finigan: "We feel Michael will provide us with a lot of versatility on our infield. Although he's played shortstop most of his young career, we feel he can play any infield position. Offensively, being a switch hitter makes Michael more marketable, as far as pitching match-ups are concerned."
Bryant George, 5-11, 160, R/R, P, DuQuoin, Ill.
Notes: All-conference pick as a junior at nearby DuQuoin High School...Compiled a 4-1 record with a 1.79 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 43 innings a year ago...Also hit .354 with eight home runs and 36 RBI...Went 4-0 with four saves for the Southern Illinois Bullets last summer. DuQuoin High School Coach Tim Davis on George: "Since I've coached Bryant, he's always wanted to play at the next level and I'm thrilled he gets to do so at SIU. He is a hard worker and great competitor, who can bring the possibility of being a closer or starter to the Saluki pitching staff." Callahan on George: "Bryant is a lot like Daniel Etienne. He will throw an 88-92 mph fastball to go along with a solid breaking ball. Just like the rest of our pitching recruits, we feel Bryant can contribute immediately."
Lou Johanns, 6-4, 190, R/R, INF, Naperville, Ill.
Notes: Ranked 29th-best prospect in the state by Illinois Prep Baseball Magazine...All-conference selection at Naperville Central High School, where he hit .361 with 30 RBI. Naperville Central High School Assistant Coach John Scherrman on Johanns: "Lou is without a doubt the most coachable person I've ever been around. He's a leader by example and will do whatever it takes to get the job done." Callahan on Johanns: "Although Lou is a shortstop now, we see him more as a corner infielder in the future. He's strong, and we feel he will develop into a solid hitter who can hit in the middle of our lineup."
Aaron Roberts, 6-2, 195, R/R, OF, Chatham, Ill.
Notes: Three-year starter at Chatham-Glenwood High School...Two-time all-conference honoree...Garnered Chicago Tribune honorable mention all-state honors, while hitting .486 with three home runs, 38 RBI and 26 stolen bases a year ago...As a teammate of Michael Finigan's with the Springfield Statesmen this past summer, he hit .408 with 30 RBI and 22 stolen bases. Chatham-Glenwood High School Coach Pat Moomey on Roberts: "Aaron's two best qualities are his hitting and his speed. He uses his speed well both offensively and defensively and is the type of hitter who will adjust well to the college level." Callahan on Roberts: "We have followed Aaron since his freshman year. We feel he has the ability to come in and play as a freshman, and it is our opinion that in time, he will develop into a good power guy. We also like the fact that he comes from very successful high school and summer programs."