Nov. 11, 2005

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Friday, November 11, 2005) Redhawks baseball head coach Mark Hogan announced the signing of Jim Klocke of St. Louis, Missouri to a National Letter of Intent for the 2007 season. The signing of Klocke brings the number of signees by the Redhawks during the NCAA's Early Signing Period to eight potential diamond standouts.

Klocke is a 6-0, 185 pound player for St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis. He plays third base and catcher for the Griffins. He is coached by former Southeast baseball player Steve Bieser who played Major League baseball for Mets and Pirates and serves as a scout for the Phillies.

Klocke is a two-year starter at third for the Griffins and hit .315 last season. He also saw action on the mound where he pitched in 11 games and compiled a 2.70 earned run average.

3B/C Jim Klocke

Playing for one of the top prep baseball teams in the state he helped lead his team to the District Title game. As a sophomore he was a member of the 2004 team that won the State Title.

A right-handed thrower who bats left-handed, he played for the Midwest Knights summer club team this past season. He hit .323 with eight doubles, seven triples, four homeruns and drove in 30 runs.

Klocke is accomplished in the classroom as he heads into his senior year with a 4.00 grade point average, which ranks 32nd in his class.

"Obviously Jim is a big time player that we are fortunate to get," said Coach Hogan. "He's considered one the top third base prospects in the state and we see him having a great career as a Redhawk."