Nov. 15, 2006

OXFORD, Ohio -- Miami University baseball coach Dan Simonds announced today that eight student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period and will begin their careers as RedHawks next year. Included in the group are two pitchers -- Sam Dawes (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) and Tyler Melling (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine) -- five position players -- Jon Edginton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Wyoming), John Hornke (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson), Brad Gschwind (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota West), Corey Sayers (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) and Kyle Weldon (Mason, Ohio/Mason) -- and one two-way player -- Adam Eaton (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge).

"We are very excited about this recruiting class," said Simonds. "We have addressed many of our identified needs and believe this class will greatly enhance the vision and philosophy of the program. All eight players truly fit the profile of a what we are looking for in a student-athlete. This class has the potential to be a special one."

Dawes is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound lefthanded pitcher with a 15-5 record through his first three seasons at Princeton High School. As a junior, he led his team to its first conference championship since 1981 and led the league with a 1.62 earned-run average, while earning all-conference honors.

"Sam reminds us a great deal of former RedHawk Sam Shorts," said Simonds. "He has command of three pitches and his curveball is a devastating weapon in any count. He really knows how to think the game and is a terrific student. His best days on the mound are most certainly ahead of him."

A 6-foot-2, 150-pound southpaw, Melling has helped Bellefontaine High School to a pair of state tournament semifinal appearances and has twice been a First-Team All-Central Buckeye Conference selection. Prior to his junior season, Bellefontaine was ranked fourth nationally in a preseason poll, and Melling was a Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American.

"Tyler is a projectable lefthander who is cut from the same mold as recent graduate Graham Taylor," said Simonds. "He has a live arm with above-average command and is a true competitor."

Edgington has earned first-team all-league honors three times at Wyoming High School and earned his team's player of the year award as a junior. A 5-foot-10, 170-pound second baseman, he helped his team to league titles as a freshman and junior.

"Jon is that rare throwback player that is a difference maker," said Simonds. "He speed can change the complexion of a game by putting pressure on the defense. Above all else, he is an outstanding student and we are looking forward to his impact on our program."

A 5-foot-10, 175-pound switch-hitting shortstop, Hornke is a smooth defensive player with an agressive offensive approach. He was a first-team all-conference selection as a junior at Hudson High School and carries a career batting average of .401 into his senior season. He was rated by Collegiate Baseball as one of the top 30 high school players in the state of Ohio and will play for the Ohio Yankees this summer.

"We have tracked John's progress for a long time and feel he has developed into one of the best high school hitting prospects in the Midwest," said Simonds. "He is equally strong from both sides of the plate and is a scrappy, passionate player that continues to bring his game to new levels. We are excited about his future in our program."

Gschwind is a righthanded hitting infielder, who has spent time at shortstop and third base for Lakota West High School. A slick-fielding 5-foot-10, 170-pounder, he was a first-team all-conference selection as a junior and earned honorable mention all-city honors, before spending the summer with the Cincinnati Sharks.

"Brad's versatility will provide our team with many different options," said Simonds. "He has been part of a solid high school program and knows how to play the game the right way. He is smooth defensively and will be an aggressive and productive hitter."

At 6-foot-2 and weighing 225 pounds, Sayers is a legitimate power hitter and is the second product of Hudson High School in this year's recruiting class. He earned second-team all-conference honors as a junior and is rated by The Buckeye Scout as one of the top 100 high school players in Ohio for 2007.

"The first thing that jumped out about Corey was his power," said Simonds. "He has the potential to be in the middle of our lineup and produce a lot of runs. He is a strong, athletic player who will be fun to develop."

At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Weldon will compete for time at first base and in the outfield at Miami. He has spent time both on the mound and in the field at Mason High School and helped the team to a district championship last season by hitting .400 with seven home runs and going 3-1 on the mound.

"We have seen Kyle on numerous occasions and he impressed us each time," said Simonds. "He is an above average hitter with excellent power potential and has an advanced approach at the plate that should allow him to succeed at the collegiate level."

The final member of the class is Eaton, who could contribute immediately both as a pitcher and position player. A lefthanded hitter and thrower, he hit .482 as a junior at Kenton Ridge High School and set his school's single-season record for hits with 56. He was a first-team all-conference pick as a junior and earned honorable mention all-state honors the same season. Eaton will spend the summer of 2007 playing for the Midland Redskins.

"Adam is a legitimate two-way player that is a commodity at the collegiate level," said Simonds. "We are confident that he will contribute immediately both as a pitcher and at the plate. He has a quick, power arm with an above average changeup and will bring speed and a solid bat to our lineup."

The Miami baseball team opens its 2007 season on Feb. 17-18 at Western Kentucky University.