Jul 13 - The 2009-2010 baseball recruiting class has grown to 14 members including several immediate impact players.  8 new pitchers join a squad that returns three starting arms from a year ago.

Jon Gee, out of Grossmont College in San Diego, is a right handed pitcher with a hard sinking fastball.  He is a 2008 graduate of Christian High School and transfers in as a sophomore and will compete for a starting pitcher role.  

His teammate, Kevin Tenney, transfers in a from Grossmont College having hit .308 in the difficult Pacific Coast Conference while manning 1st base for the Griffins.  His glove will be a great improvement in the Trojan infield.

While projected to be a starting pitcher, Anthony Mendoza will also look to cover an outfield spot.  Transferring in from Morton College, Mendoza hit .338 while leading the team in wins (8) and ERA (3.53).  He is a verstile two way athlete.

Billy Smith played his first two years at Harper College, covering center field and hitting second in their line up.  He transfers to TIU to play OF after hitting over .300 for the Hawks.  His Harper teammate, Shay Smith, is a 6-4 power hitting 1st baseman who hit .340 during his sophomore year.

A pair of pitchers continue their college careers by tranferring from Waubonsee CC.  Derek Kopko is a submarine RHP who will get opportunities to close out ballgames.  In 2008 he lead Waubonsee with 8 saves.  Mitch Vella is a LHP who will work out of the bullpen and has the ability to slow baserunners down.

Brendan Curletta is a RHP you comes to TIU from Phoenix, AZ, where he pitched Valley Christian Academy to a league title and a 30-3.  He also led his team in homeruns and RBI.

Having hit .328 at Morton college, JC Castaneda transfers to TIU as a SS/2B.  JC helps make the infield strong and adds a bat to deepen the TIU lineup.

Jon Lewis starts his college career with TIU after being the starting catcher for Libertyville HS.  He is a solid catch and throw guy, who has great developmental upside.

Transferring in from Hamline College in MN, Jon Pelles is a RHP coming off a back injury that sidelined his for the 2009 season.  He is back to health and looks to get his arm strength back to 100% this Fall.  He could have a prominent role out of the Trojan pen.

Three high school student athletes round out the class.   Paul Grotelueschen is a RHP out of Alaska with good up-side and good size.  Alex Winfield is a speedy OF from Evangelical Christian High School in Fort Myers, FL where he was second in his district in stolen bases.  Jordan Sticklin is an OF from Beach Park, IL and attended Christian Life HS in Kenosha.

"We have filled several key roles and are actively working to fill others,"  said Head Coach Tom Raven.  "This class has the potential to greatly improve TIU baseball and push towards the goal of a NAIA National berth."