July 3, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State baseball head coach Mark Hogan has announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Jake Kemper to a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Redhawks starting with the 2008 season.

"We are very excited about signing Jake and we feel that his best baseball is ahead of him. He is a big addition to our pitching staff," Hogan stated. "Jake battled injuries in his sophomore year, but he's throwing well in the summer."

A native of Hillsboro, Mo., Kemper recently graduated from Jefferson Junior College, where he helped the Vikings win the NJCAA Region 16 championship this past spring after posting a 0-1 record with one save in 14.1 innings thrown and struck out 13 batters. As a freshman, Kemper produced a 3-1 record with a 1.14 ERA to go along with 13 strikeouts and a save in 11 appearances.

Kemper will have two years of eligibility remaining when he joins the Redhawks this fall for practice.