Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball completes 2008 recruiting class
08/01/2007 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Aug. 1, 2007
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University signed three right-handed pitchers, an outfielder, catcher and middle infielder to put the finishing touches on its 2008 recruiting class.
Transfers Tyler Bullock, Kevin Cover (pronounced COH-ver), Adam Curynski (pronounced KERR-in-ski) and Andrew Dunn, along with freshmen John Brennan and Chase Sanford, round out a group of nine newcomers joining the Dawgs this fall.
"I like this recruiting class," said head coach Dan Callahan. "All nine guys are talented enough to contribute immediately and we recruited them with that notion in mind."
Cover, Curynski and Dunn help fill a sizeable gap left by highly touted left-hander Jay Voss.
Voss was projected to be among the team's starting rotation after committing to SIU in November, but opted to sign with the Florida Marlins. He was selected in the eighth round of this year's draft following two seasons at Kaskaskia College.
"We feel good about our pitching even though we lost one to the draft," said Callahan.
Biographical Sketches
John Brennan, INF, Fr., 5-9, 160, Grayslake, Ill. (Carmel H.S.)
Notes: Versatile athlete who spent his prep career at shortstop...hit .419 with 50 runs scored, nine doubles, three triples, a home run, 25 RBI, 29 walks and 25 stolen bases a year ago...boasted a .971 fielding percentage with only four errors in 135 chances...Daily Herald all-conference, all-area and player-of-the-year as a senior...also garnered all-state honors. Callahan on Brennan: "John can do a lot of things well. He has the ability to play third base, second base or shortstop and brings a left-handed bat to the lineup."
Tyler Bullock, C, So., 6-4, 270, DuQuoin, Ill. (DuQuoin H.S./Austin Peay)
Notes: Transfers to SIU after one season at Austin Peay...left-handed hitting catcher who hit .243 with four home runs and 16 RBI in 42 games...made 17 starts, including 13 as designated hitter, three at catcher and one at first base...the Governors were 40-22 overall and made the NCAA Tournament in 2007...local product out of DuQuoin High School...hit .350 or better in four prep seasons...hit .553 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI as a senior...pitching wise, he went undefeated at 6-0 with 62 strikeouts in 44.2 innings the same year...three-time all-conference and all-south pick...is among IHSA all-time career leaders in home runs (6th, 35), RBI (7th, 157), hits (14th, 185), games played (34th, 137) and walks (37th, 81). Callahan on Bullock: "We feel Tyler will provide us with some quality catching depth. Along with Chris Crank, he will possess the most power on our club and is a middle of the lineup type hitter."
Kevin Cover, RHP, So., 5-10, 175, Pueblo, Colo. (Pueblo South H.S./Otero Junior College)
Notes: Transfers to SIU from Otero Junior College, where he pitched one year...was a two-time all-conference honoree at Pueblo South High School...went 11-4 with five saves as a prep...also earned all-conference accolades as quarterback on the football team. Callahan on Cover: "Kevin is a good competitor. He touches 90 mph, has a good fastball and uses the plate extremely well."
Adam Curynski, RHP, Jr., 6-0, 205, Webster, N.Y. (Webster Schroeder H.S./Monroe Community College)
Notes: Transfers to SIU from Monroe Community College...went 6-1 with 36 strikeouts in 49 innings as a freshman and 5-3 with 38 strikeouts in 52.2 innings as a sophomore...helped lead the Tribunes to back-to-back Region 3 titles...MCC advanced to the 2007 NJCAA World Series...two-time all-region honoree and regional tournament MVP (2007). Callahan on Curynski: "Adam was the top pitcher in a quality junior college program. He has a solid changeup and slider. We expect him to chew up some quality innings for us."
Andrew Dunn, RHP, Jr., 6-5, 210, Marion, Ill. (Marion H.S./John A. Logan College)
Notes: Comes to SIU from nearby John A. Logan College...went 9-1 with a 1.57 ERA a year ago...as a freshman, he recorded 52 strikeouts and won six games...was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 29th round of the Major League Baseball Draft...third JALC pitcher to join the Salukis in as many years. Callahan on Dunn: "Andrew has experienced a lot of success at the junior college level and we feel he can make an immediate impact in our program."
Chase Sanford, OF, Fr., 6-3, 185, Catlin, Ill. (Catlin H.S.)
Notes: Attended Catlin High School, where he hit .508 with 34 runs scored, 10 doubles, seven home runs, 36 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 2007...hit .441 as a sophomore and junior...three-time all-conference and all-county selection...also played football and was on the golf team. Callahan on Sanford: "Chase adds depth to an outfield which should be strong again this season. He is very athletic and has an excellent work ethic."
