Oklahoma Inks Seven Baseball Recruits

Nov. 22, 1999

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma baseball team signed seven high school recruits during college baseball's early signing period, which ended November 17, to play for the Sooners beginning with the the 2001 season. Six of the signees hail from the state of Oklahoma, while the seventh individual is a recruit from Arkansas. The recruiting class includes three pitchers, two outfielders, one infielder and one catcher.

"We are extremely happy with this group of young men who have decided to continue their educational and baseball careers here at the University of Oklahoma," expressed head coach Larry Cochell. "We believe that they are not only outstanding baseball players, but more importantly, outstanding young men who will represent the university and our program well."

The following is a compilation of each player's significant statistics:

Jason Belcher, Walnut Ridge (Ark.) High School, Catcher - Is the 63rd ranked high school prospect in the nation by Baseball America ... A two-time All-State selection ... Is rated among the top three high school catchers in the country by Perfect Game scouting service ... Hit .663 with 14 home runs and 67 RBIs as a junior ... Participated in several national showcases and was named to a United States national squad which competed against a Japanese national team this past summer.

Buddy Blair, Jenks High School, Pitcher, 6-0, 185 - Saw action at the plate and as a pitcher ... Junior year pitching statistics include a 5-4 record with a 2.60 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 59.1 innings of work ... Recorded four complete games and one shutout last season ... Hit .358 with four home runs and 26 RBIs, while collecting 10 stolen bases ... Garnered team Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year honors ... Joins teammate Tyler Johnson in signing with the Sooners.

Nathan Dion, Yukon High School, Outfielder, 6-3, 185 - A three-year starter for the Millers ... Enjoyed an outstanding junior campaign in which he led his team in hitting with a .439 average ... Also had a .649 slugging percentage and 15 stolen bases ... Garnered all-conference honors his junior year and was voted the team's Most Valuable Player his sophomore season ... Also played on an American Legion state championship team ... Joins teammate Denver Kitch in signing with the Sooners.

Tyler Johnson, Jenks High School, Outfielder, 6-4, 230 - Lettered one year at Jenks after transferring from a high school in Maryland where he lettered for two years ... Made an immediate impact by hitting .443 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs ... Selected as a member of the Oklahoma Junior Sun Belt team last summer ... Joins teammate Buddy Blair in signing with the Sooners.

Denver Kitch, Yukon High School, Infielder, 6-3, 170 - Hit for a .345 average with 5 home runs as a junior ... Picked up 20 stolen bases and 22 walks in 34 games ... Earned all-conference recognition and the team's Outstanding Defensive Player award ... Joins teammate Nathan Dion in signing with the Sooners.

Colby Miller, Weatherford High School, Pitcher/Infielder, 6-2, 176 - Batted .420 with seven home runs and 38 RBIs as a junior ... Compiled a record of 11-1 with a 2.91 ERA and 115 strikeouts ... Led his team to a state runner up finish last season and a state championship his sophomore season ... Selected as the team's Most Valuable Player last year ... Member of Oklahoma's Junior Sun Belt team this past summer.

Mark Roberts, Owasso High School, Pitcher, 6-0, 180 - Compiled a 14-1 record as a starting pitcher last year ... Led his team to a #10 national ranking and an Oklahoma state high school championship ... A three-year letterman ... Participated on two state championship teams and one state runner-up team ... Was a member of Oklahoma's Junior Sun Belt team and the World Champion 16-year old USA National team ... Also garnered Tulsa World Player of the Year and Frontier Conference Pitcher of the Year honors last year.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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