Ball State University Athletics
Baseball Adds Five Players For 2008 In Early Signing Period
November 28, 2006 | Baseball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State baseball program has added five early signees for the 2008 season. Dean Anna (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln Way East H.S.), T.J. Baumet (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg H.S.), Aaron Etchison (Pendleton, Ind./Pendleton Heights H.S.), Michael Lucas (Anderson, Ind./Anderson H.S.) and Kolbrin Vitek (Bryan, Ohio/Bryan H.S.) have each signed National Letters of Intent to attend Ball State and play for the baseball program.
Anna is a 5-foot-10 shortstop who is currently playing for coach Jerry Halstead at John A. Logan College in Carterville, Ill. As a freshman in 2006, Anna hit .313 with 14 doubles and 27 RBI. He drew 26 walks while striking out only 10 times. Anna started 59 of JALC's 61 games in 2006, helping the team to a 44-17 record and a 21-9 mark in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference. He played summer baseball for the UpperDeck Cougars.
"Dean is a left-handed hitting middle infielder who will make an immediate impact in our infield," Ball State coach Greg Beals says. "He has experience at a top notch junior college, which will be very valuable to our program. He is a very steady defenseman at shortstop and a proven top of the lineup bat that fits exactly what our program needs for next season."
Baumet is a 6-foot-4 shortstop who has started since his freshman season for coach Pat O'Neil at Brownsburg. Entering his senior season in 2007, Baumet owns a .417 career batting average with 14 home runs, 54 RBI and 21 stolen bases. He was part of Brownsburg's 2005 state championship team, and he earned All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention honors in both 2005 and 2006. In addition, Baumet was selected as the 2006 Indy West Player of the Year. He played his summer baseball for the Indiana Bulls.
"T.J. is a big-time recruit for us," Beals says. "He will also make an immediate impact in our infield. T.J. will compete for both the shortstop and third base positions as a freshman. He has all the tools to play at the next level, and we really look forward to working with him to develop those skills."
Etchison is a 6-foot-1 catcher entering his senior season at Pendleton Heights, where he is coached by Bill Stout. As a junior in 2006, he hit .340 with one home run and 12 RBI in just 47 at bats. He also drew 12 walks and scored nine runs in addition to recording 173 putouts and 14 assists at his catcher position. Etchison played summer baseball for the Indiana Bulls.
"Aaron is another local prospect - a strong-bodied catcher with very good arm strength," Beals says. "He has proven to our coaching staff that he will be a great addition to our catching position. His defensive skills are good, and his bat also shows great potential. We look forward to working with Aaron to see how good he can become as a Cardinal."
Lucas is a 6-foot-3 left-handed pitcher who is currently playing for coach Mitch Hannahs at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill. As a freshman in 2006, he compiled a 3.97 ERA and struck out 11 batters in 22.2 innings of work. Prior to his collegiate career, Lucas played on the Anderson American Legion team.
"Michael is a command left-hander with three solid pitches and a great understanding of how to get hitters out," Beals says. "He complements our entire pitching staff very well. I see Michael being a key part of our bullpen, getting us from our starters to our closer. It is always good to get local guys in our program to help make the team tightly knit."
Vitek is a 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher and third baseman entering his senior season at Bryan, where he is coached by Scott Huard. He was injured for all but three games as a junior in 2006 but earned All-Conference, All-District and All-State honors in 2005. During that sophomore campaign, Vitek notched a 6-2 record and a 2.38 ERA on the mound. He struck out 61 batters in 47 innings. At the plate, Vitek hit .489 with 15 doubles, six triples, three home runs and 44 RBI. He played his summer-league baseball for the Midland Indians.
"Kolbrin is a two-way standout that will see action for us both as a pitcher and a hitter," Beals says. "On the mound, he has a developing 88-90 mile per hour fastball and a great feel for pitching. His bat shows power, and he can see time at third, first or DH. Kolbrin has a very bright future in our program."
