Athletics

UIS Baseball Announces Spring Signings

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – UIS has signed 11 baseball players during the spring signing period as the Prairie Stars prepare for their inaugural season in 2011.

Head Coach Brian Grunzke has added Jeremy Ator, Ted Heiser, Jake Henderson, Clinton Jeffers, Trevor Johnson, Easton Kowalski, Bill McFarland, Paul Phillips, Will Pufundt, Seth Warren and Ryan Williams to the UIS roster that will open play next spring.

“I am extremely happy that these young men have made the commitment to join our program here at UIS,” Grunzke said. “This is a very well rounded group of student-athletes who all come from very successful programs. Along with the six young men we signed in the fall, I am very excited about the future of the program and our ability to compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.”

Ator is a right-hander from Auburn High School.

“Jeremy knows how to pitch and really battles on the mound,” Grunzke said. “I believe that he will improve greatly with added strength as he gets older.”

Heiser will come to the Prairie Stars from Stevenson High School in Buffalo Grove, Ill.

“Ted will fill a big void for us in being a left-handed hitter and coming from one of the top high school programs in the state of Illinois,” Grunzke said.

Henderson will be an invited walk-on next spring from Galesburg High School.

“Jake will be a nice addition to the program,” Grunzke said. He can play multiple positions and that should help him attempt to break into the lineup.

Jeffers is comes to UIS from Springfield College.

“Clint gives us tremendous experience and leadership,” Grunzke said. “His versatility will be a key as he can play all four infield positions.”

Johnson comes to UIS from Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, Wis.

“Trevor is an extremely athletic player who will give us quickness in the lineup,” Grunzke said.

Kowalski is a right-handed pitcher from Crystal Lake South High School in Crystal Lake, Ill.

“Easton has a live arm and we will count on him to be a big part of our pitching staff,” Grunzke said.

McFarland is a right-handed pitcher from Edwardsville High School.

“Bill comes from a very good high school program and attacks hitters with his three pitches,” Grunzke said. “We will rely on Bill to give us quality innings right away.”

Phillips is a right-handed pitcher from Kankakee Community College.

“Paul will give us some needed veteran leadership on the mound,” Grunzke said. “He is a durable competitor and we will look for him to be a driving force on the mound.”

Pufundt is a Springfield native who plays at Sacred Heart Griffin High School.

“Will is a very versatile player as well. A left-handed hitter who can play in the infield and behind the plate, his love of the game will be a great asset for us,” Grunzke said.

Warren is another right-hander who is from Rochester High School.

“Seth has three pitches that he can throw for strikes, he works fast and attacks the strike zone,” Grunzke said.

Williams is a catcher from Chatham’s Glenwood High School.

“Ryan has an athletic frame and as a switch hitting catcher, I believe his best days of baseball are ahead of him,” Grunzke said.