Nov. 14, 2007

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WACO, Texas -- Baylor baseball head coach Steve Smith announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent Wednesday. All six currently are in high school, including three from the state of Texas. The Bears signed a catcher, a middle infielder, an outfielder and three pitchers.

"This is a very solid group that should meet the limited needs we will have in 2009," Smith said. "Each of them comes from an outstanding baseball background, and each one is an equally strong student. They will be good fits for our program and for Baylor University."

Joining Baylor's baseball program in the fall of 2008 are RHP Trent Blank (Columbia, Ill./Columbia), RHP Max Garner (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis), INF Joey Hainsfurther (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park), OF Lucas Hileman (Anna, Ill./Anna-Jonesboro), C Josh Ludy (Portland, Ind./Jay County) and RHP Logan Verrett (Corpus Christi, Texas/Calallen).

Hainsfurther was rated the 28^th-best prospect in Texas and the 224^th-best nationally by Perfect Game Cross Checker. The same publication rated Verrett 51^st in Texas, Ludy ninth in Indiana and Hileman 17^th in Illinois. Blank and Garner did not participate in any Perfect Game events.

Hileman, who recently was named first-team all-state at quarterback, was an Area Code Games participant for the Chicago White Sox. Ludy participated in the East Coast Professional Baseball Scout Showcase, while Hainsfurther was a Perfect Game National Showcase participant and an AABC USA Baseball Junior National Team invitee. Hileman and Verrett both are Under Armour Preseason All-Americans.

The Bears open the 2008 season Feb. 22-24, hosting Purdue for a three-game series at Baylor Ballpark.

BAYLOR BASEBALL 2007 FALL SIGNING CLASS

                                                        POS.               HT.          WT.         B-T         HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL)

Trent Blank                                   RHP                6-2          175         R-R         Columbia, Ill. (Columbia)

Max Garner                                   RHP                6-3          190         R-R         Austin, Texas (Lake Travis)

Joey Hainsfurther                        INF                  5-11        185         B-R         Dallas, Texas (Highland Park)

Lucas Hileman                            OF                   6-1          180         L-L          Anna, Ill. (Anna-Jonesboro)

Josh Ludy                                     C                     5-9          195         B-R         Portland, Ind. (Jay County)

Logan Verrett                               RHP                6-2          170         R-R         Corpus Christi, Texas (Calallen)