Seattle University head baseball coach Donny Harrel has announced that four student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to come to Seattle University and join the new baseball program beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year.
Joey Pulitano (Lake Stevens, Wash.) is a 6’2”, 190-pound left-handed pitcher currently playing for Lake Stevens High School. In 34 innings pitched, he has struck out 30 batters while walking only ten and has posted a 2.04 earned run average. He has earned honorable mention All-League recognition in the past.
“Joey gets better and stronger every time he goes out to the mound,” Harrel said. “His delivery has great deception and it will be hard for hitters to get good swings off of him as he masters his secondary pitches. He is an extremely hard worker and will do whatever he needs to for improvement.”
An infielder at Central Kitsap High School, Nate Roberts (Silverdale, Wash.), at 5’9” and 170 pounds, is a two-time All-League honoree as well as earning first team All-Country honors last season and, more recently, the Round Table Student-Athlete of the Month award. He is batting .385 with 20 hits, 13 runs, six doubles, two home runs, and 13 runs batted in.
“Nate is tough. He is a throwback ballplayer who competes until the last out. He is a contact hitter with surprising power. His arm strength allows him to play on the left side of the diamond or gives us a tremendous double play combination at second base. I expect Nate to be one of our freshman leaders,” said Harrel.
Ryan Somers (Sammamish, Wash.) is a 6’0”, 180-pound player who can play several different positions, such as catcher, left field, or one of the left-side infield spots. He is currently batting .477 for Skyline High School after posting a .459 batting average for the Lakeside Baseball Club in 2008. Last year he earned the King-Co Sportsmanship Award as well as the WIAA Sportsmanship Award after the 2008 4A football championship game.
“Ryan brings high intensity and passion to our program. He is a versatile athlete who will be able to play different positions for us. Ryan is a true team guy who will do anything for his team to win. Ryan also gives up another left-handed bat to add to our lineup,” Harrel said.
Nick Sours (San Carlos, Calif.) is a 6’1”, 160-pound left-handed pitcher who is the team captain for Bellarmine College Prep, which plays in the competitive West Catholic Athletic League. He is currently 5-2 with a 3.50 earned run average and 37 strikeouts in 38 innings of work.
“Nick is a nice, long left-handed pitcher who will only get stronger in time. He possesses a quality fastball and a tremendous arm speed changeup that will keep hitters off balance,” said Harrel. “He has great demeanor on the mound and should help us right away as a freshman.”
These four players will join those already enrolled at Seattle University as well as 19 players who signed National Letters of Intent during the fall. Seattle University is presently in Year One of the reclassification process to move up to the NCAA Division I level.