June 9, 2009 – Truman head baseball coach Dan Davis has announced that eight student-athletes were inked during the late signing period to join the Bulldog program in the Spring of 2010.
The eight – which hail from three different states – bring the total number of 2010 signees to ten, after Jordan Howe and Bryan Folk committed in November of 2008.
Brett Budd (5-foot-9; 160 pounds; OF; Lee’s Summit, Mo.)
A left-handed hitter out of Lee’s Summit High School, Budd was a two-year letterwinner under head coach Jim Mellody. As a senior, Budd hit for a .467 average and slugged almost .700 with a nearly similar on-base percentage. Brett also wrestled in high school and is currently undeclared for his collegiate major. He is the son of Jeff and Cheryl Budd.
Coach Davis on Budd: “We are very excited that Brett has decided to become a Bulldog next year! He is a very good gap-to-gap hitter who has a great eye for the zone. He can play the short game and should add a much needed left-handed stick to the line-up. Brett is also a defensive wizard; he can run and has an extremely strong arm in the outfield. We look forward to working with Brett in the future and can’t wait to see him in a Bulldog uniform. ”
Nick Caloroso (5-foot-9; 185 pounds; LHP; Leawood, Kan.)
A four-year starter out of Rockhurst High School for head coach Jim DeGraw, Caloroso posted a sub-2.00 ERA as a senior. He was selected to play with the American International team, which played in Italy, and went 16-5 in three summers with Mac N Seitz. Nick will study pre-law/Business at Truman and is the son of Tony and Tammy Caloroso. His father, Tony, played football for Truman (then Northeast Missouri State University) and lettered in 1979.
Coach Davis on Caloroso: “We are extremely pleased that Nick has decided to join the Bulldog ranks next year! He is a left-handed pitcher who will touch the mid-80s with his fastball at times. He also has an above-average curveball.”
Travis Eagen (6-foot-0; 180 pounds; RHP; Kirksville, Mo.)
A three-year starter and letterwinner for head coach – and Truman alum – Andy Jackson at Kirksville High School, Eagen has been named an NCMC all-conference pitcher along with garnering all-district accolades. Travis was a 2008 Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association Academic all-state pick and threw five complete games during his junior and senior seasons. In his final two years at KHS, Eagen averaged nearly a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio. Travis is currently undeclared for his collegiate major and is the son of Mark and Sharla Eagen. His older brother, Corey, finished sixth all-time in Truman’s stolen bases category and concluded his career this past spring.
Coach Davis on Eagen: “We are happy Travis decided to follow his older brother. Corey, to Truman State University! He’s a right-hander who has very good command of all his pitches. His fastball touches the low-80s, but he has tremendous movement and command of it. He’s a great competitor and we look forward to watching him grow in our program.”
Jarrett Eiskina (6-foot-2; 185 pounds; RHP; Lee’s Summit, Mo.)
The second member of the 2010 recruiting class to come to Truman from Lee’s Summit High School, Eiskina has been named first-team all-district twice while playing for head coach Jim Mellody. He holds the school’s record for strikeouts in a season with 66 punchouts in 67 innings as a junior before striking out 48 batters in 55 innings as a senior. His Lee’s Summit squad won both conference and districts in 2008. Jarrett will study Business at Truman and is the son of Ed and Mittie Eiskina.
Coach Davis on Eiskina: “We are extremely pleased that Jarrett chose to become a Bulldog next fall! He has an impressive knack to win on the mound. His fastball will touch the mid-80s and is offset by a both very good slider and split-finger. He competes his tail off and will look to earn some innings as a freshman.”
Tyler Musial (6-foot-4; 190 pounds; 1B/OF; St. Louis, Mo.)
Tyler comes to the Truman program after lettering three times at Christian Brothers College High School for head coach Scott Brown. The great-grandson of hall-of-fame outfielder/first baseman and former St. Louis Cardinal, Stan Musial, Tyler was a three-time St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association all-star with the South-West Stars. He was named MVP of his 15u team before being honored as team captain three years later on the 18u squad. During the 2008 summer season, Musial hit for a .390 average with 12 doubles, eight homeruns and 52 RBI. He is currently undeclared for his collegiate major and is the son of Jeff and Eileen Musial.
Coach Davis on Musial: “We couldn’t be more excited to have Tyler join the Bulldog program next year! Tyler is versatile, as he can play both outfield and first base. He will compete for a spot at both positions his freshman year. Tyler can potentially add some power to the middle of the lineup. He still has room to grow and his best years are still in front of him.”
Michael Reese (5-foot-9; 160 pounds; OF/2B; Rochester, Ill.)
Michael will transfer to the Bulldog program as a junior in eligibility after playing two seasons at Springfield (Ill.) College for head coach Steve Torricelli. Reese hit .326 during his SCI career with 13 doubles and seven triples to help drive in 40 RBI. Michael stole 17-of-18 bases and helped guide the Bulldogs to the MWAC conference championship in both 2008 and 2009. He was a member of the conference’s all-academic team and was named in the Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges. He will study Exercise Science at Truman and is the son of Tony and Anna Marie Reese.
Coach Davis on Reese: “We are very pleased Mike has chosen to continue his collegiate career as a Bulldog! He adds tremendous speed and power to the team. He has two years of college experience hitting in the top of the line-up. We look for Mike to compete for a job either in the outfield or on the infield next year.”
Logan Siegler (6-foot-0 ; 210 pounds; RHP/C; Freeburg, Mo.)
A switch-hitter, Siegler joins the Bulldog program for the 2009 season after lettering three seasons for head coach Scott Kilgore at Fatima High School. While at FHS, Logan pitched, caught and played third base and was a four-year starter. He follows the track of older sister, Kristen, who was an all-MIAA designated player for the Truman softball squad this past season. Logan will study Criminal Justice and is the son of Steven and Julie Siegler.
Coach Davis on Siegler: “We are fired up that Logan has decided to become a Bulldog! Logan has the potential to be a great pitcher at the college level. His fastball is a heavy pitch that will touch the upper-80s, and he has the feel for a good slider as well. Logan will also work out as a catcher for next year’s squad.”
Nick Stading (6-foot-0; 225 pounds; C/1B; Ellisville, Mo.)
Nick will continue his baseball career as a Truman Bulldog after throwing out 40% of would-be base stealers for head coach Steve Miller at Lafayette High School. Stading lettered and started two seasons on the diamond and did the same for a district championship football squad. He connected for two grand slams and was a career .262 high school hitter. Nick is set to study Exercise Science and Spanish at Truman and is the son of Greg and Terry Stading.
Coach Davis on Stading: “We are very pleased Nick decided to come to Truman State University! He showed the potential to hit for power when we saw him during a winter workout. He also has a strong arm and will compete for a spot behind the plate and potentially at first base as a Bulldog.”