Aug. 26, 2005

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Friday August 26, 2005) Southeast Missouri State Baseball Head Coach Mark Hogan announced the signing of six signees to complete the 2005-2006 recruiting class.

The announcement includes four junior college transfers and one high school signee.

Daryl Graham is a third baseman and shortstop transferring from Crowley Community College in Kansas. The right-hander hit .304 last season, including 20 extra base hits and 43 runs batted in.

"Daryl is an excellent hitting infielder. He started both years in Cowley's outstanding JUCO program which says an awful lot," said Coach Hogan.

Drew Graham, Daryl's younger brother, is the lone incoming freshman signee. The right-handed first baseman and pitcher from Fort Scott High School hit .455 with four homeruns and added a 1.17 ERA with 96 strikeouts in only 52 innings, earning him a spot on the Kansas Class 4A All-State team.

"Drew is physically mature and has a chance to be a two-way starter for us this year," said Hogan. "He has good power at the plate and could pitch in our conference rotation."

Second baseman Omar Padilla transfers from Santa Rosa Community College. Padilla was the starting second baseman for the California JUCO State Championship team in 2005.

"He will continue the excellent tradition second basemen have established at Southeast Missouri State," said Hogan.

James Hibbard is a left-handed pitching transfer from California Baptist College. The junior is expected to pitch in relief for the Redhawks, providing another solid left-hander to the pitching staff.

The final junior college signee is right-handed catcher Chad Mercado. The transfer from Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona, Florida was previously a teammate of Southeast outfielder Chris Gibson at Pratt Community College in Kansas.

"Chad will help our club at the catching position," stated Coach Hogan.

The final signee announced on Friday was former Southeast football player Rezese Putnam, a former high school standout who has decided to continue here.

"Rezese was an outstanding high school baseball player. He will battle for playing time in the outfield," said Hogan.

The six signees conclude a 2005-2006 recruitment class that Coach Hogan has said is one of his best since taking over at Southeast.