WONDER BOYS BASEBALL ADDS 18 PLAYERS FOR 2009 SEASON

        RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech Head Baseball Billy Goss announced the addition of 18 new players for the 2009 season on Friday.

Tech, who finished 22-23 overall and 9-11 in the Gulf South Conference last season, returns 12 lettermen and five starters this coming season.

Among the 18 newcomers, 12 of them are junior college transfers, while two of them are NCAA Division I transfers from Central Arkansas and Arkansas Little Rock. The recruiting class also consists of three Arkansas high school seniors.

Michael Alonso, a right-handed pitcher and infielder, comes to Tech after playing at Catholic High School in Little Rock, Ark.

“Alonso has a great body that has great potential. He can hit and throw it hard,” Goss added.

Stephan Bartlett, a left-handed pitcher, comes to Tech after playing the past two seasons at Bacone College. Bartlett, who is a native of Tulsa, Okla., is expected to add depth in the bullpen for the Wonder Boys.

“Another left-hander that is expected to add depth to our bullpen this coming season,” Goss said. “He needs to have a good fall and show he can batters out.”

Matt Daniels, a right-handed pitcher, comes to Tech after playing at Three River Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Daniels, a native of Troy, Mo., is expected to compete for spot in the starting rotation.

“Matt is a right-handed pitcher that gets batters out,” Goss said. “He has a good fastball and a good slider.”

Chris Daulton, a right-handed pitcher, comes to Tech after playing at Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, Ark.

“Chris is a pitcher that will be given an opportunity this fall to prove he can compete on this level as a freshman,” said Goss.

Jordan Gomez, a left-handed pitcher, comes to Tech from Central Arkansas. The Murphy, Texas, native is expected to provide depth in the bullpen this coming season.

“Jordan is another lefty that should provide depth in our bullpen. He needs to have a good fall and show he can get batters out,” Goss said.  

Danny Higginbotham, a sophomore catcher, comes to Tech after playing last season at Howard Junior College in Big Spring, Texas. The Hawks, who were 44-10 last season, finished ranked No. 3 in the final NJCAA National rankings.

“Danny is a catcher that will compete for a starting position this coming spring. He is a great leader and a catch and throw guy,” the Tech coach said.  

Jared Hughes, an infielder, comes to Tech after playing the past two seasons at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Hughes, who is a native of Kennett, Mo., is expected to compete for a starting spot this coming season.

“Jared is a big right-handed hitter with the potential to put up some very good power numbers,” Goss said. “He is raw and needs to have a good fall.”

Alex Lindenmuth, a left-handed pitcher, comes to Tech after redshirting last season at Cisco Community College in Cisco, Texas. Lindenmuth is native of Colleyville, Texas.

“Alex is a lefthander that could give us depth in the bullpen. He will need to have a good fall and show he can get batters out,” the Tech coach said.

Matt Presson, an infielder, comes to Tech from Arkansas-Little Rock. The Sherwood, Ark., native is a left-handed hitter that is expected to also play in the outfield for the Wonder Boys.

“Matt is a transfer from UALR that has the potential to be a great hitter for us,” Goss said.

Nick Shoptaw, an infielder, comes to Tech after playing at Pratt Community College in Pratt, Kan. The Benton, Ark., native, is expected to compete for a starting position in either the infield or the outfield.

“He can really swing the bat and knows how to hit,” Goss said.

Blaine Sims, a left-handed pitcher, comes to Tech from Kaskaskia Junior College in Centralia, Ill. Sims, who is from Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, Ark., is expected to be starter for the Wonder Boys this season.

“Blaine will give us a quality left-handed starter,” Goss said. “He has a good fastball, with a good curveball, change-up and is a hard worker.”

Clint Stroud, an outfielder, comes to Tech after playing at Tyler Junior College. Stroud, who is a native of Bonham, Texas, was an All-American as a freshman on Tyler’s 2006 NJCAA National Championship squad.

“Clint is a proven hitter with a plus arm from the outfield,” said Goss.

Landon Sullins, who is a catcher, comes to Tech from Arkansas-Fort Smith. Sullins, who is a native of Harrison, Ark., is expected to compete for playing time behind the plate this coming season.

“He has great tools and will compete,” Goss said.

Tyler Taunton, who is an infielder, comes to Tech after playing the past two seasons at Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier City, La. Taunton, who is a native of Shreveport, will be a utility player for the Wonder Boys.

“Tyler is a utility player that swings the bat from the left side of the plate. He will give us depth and is a player that will challenge for a starting position this coming season,” Goss said.

Joe Walton, an outfielder, comes to Tech after playing at Labette County Community College in Parsons, Kan. Walton, who is a native of Inola, Okla., will provide depth in the outfield this coming season.

“Joe is an outfielder that can swing the bat well. He’ll be a great addition to our team,” Goss said.

Seth White, an outfielder, comes to Tech after playing at Rogers High School in Rogers, Ark. White has a chance to compete for playing time this coming season by the way he competes in the fall, according to Goss.

“Seth is a young man that will make us better by the way he plays the game,” Goss added. “He is a hard worker and has good tools.”

Karl Whitley, a right-handed pitcher, comes to Tech from Pima Junior College in Tucson, Ariz. Whitley, a native of Tucson, Ariz., finished with an 8-2 record and a 3.66 ERA with the Aztecs. On the season, Whitley made 16 appearances and in 86 innings of work, he allowed 84 hits, 50 runs, 35 earned runs, while striking out 74 and walking 40.

“Karl had a great spring and it carried over into the summer,” Goss added. “He’ll be called on to be a starter and a big force for us.”

Chad Wynn, an outfielder, comes to Tech after playing the past two seasons at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Last season with the Raiders, Wynn, who is a native of Bono, Ark., saw action in 45 games and hit .391 with 59 hits in 151 at-bats. In addition, he added 14 doubles, four triples and had 41 RBIs.

“Chad is an outfielder that can run,” Goss said. “He has great speed and hit nearly .400 last season for TRCC.”

 -- Tech Athletics --