UIC Baseball Inks Nine Prospects For 2006 Campaign

Dec. 2, 2004

Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago HeadBaseball Coach Mike Dee announced on Wednesday afternoon, that he has signed: Doug Eldridge, INF, (Downers Grove, Ill./Benet/Wabash Valley CC) Michael Kaffel, INF, (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) Randy Krick, RHP, (Oblong, Ill./Oblong/Lincoln Trail JC) Don Phillis, LHP, (Streator, Ill./Marquette) Brad Riegler, RHP, (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) Tyler Rubio, INF/OF, (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) Chris Rutta, INF, (Rothschild, Wis./D.C. Everest) Ryan Scheidt, LHP/OF, (Shorewood, Ill./Minooka) Adam Worthington, RHP, (Gurnee, Ill./Warren) to National Letters of Intent to play for the Flames in 2006.

Dee lauded the efforts of Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Sean McDermott, Pitching Coach Mike Nall and Volunteer Assistant Coach Nick Bridich in helping recruit a class that is capable of competing against a rigorous schedule featuring teams from the Big Ten and SEC.

"Sean, Mike, Nick and all of our players did a tremendous job of recruiting this fall," Dee said. "With our schedule being upgraded significantly in 2006 and 2007, we knew we had to find some players that were motivated to play the best in the country.

"I'm pleased we filled most of our needs," Dee continued. "But more importantly, we filled those needs with quality people.

"We believe strongly that each one of them is going to be a positive influence on this program for years to come.

Nall believes that the 2006 pitching class, will pay dividends in the long run as the Flames will face some stiff competition in the upcoming years.

"Obviously with the schedule that we are going to be playing in the coming years, it is very important to have quality pitching," Nall said. "We feel like this class will go a long way to helping us be able to compete at the national level.

Krick, a 6-foot-6, right-handed pitcher, will enter UIC as a junior after spending the previous two seasons at Lincoln Trail JC in Robinson, Ill.

"Randy is a competitor who will work his tail off to improve," Nall said."Being a junior college kid, he will bring some experience with him that will help.

"We expect Randy to help us on the mound and as a leader in our program.

Phillis, a 5-foot-10 southpaw, possesses a mean streak on the bump, according to Nall.

"Don is tough and has a quick arm on the mound," Nall said. "That combined with the fact that he is left-handed gives him a great opportunity to help us on the mound next year.

Riegler, a 6-foot, right-handed pitcher, is always looking to improve his game.

"Brad brings a lot of leadership and character to our program," Nall said. "He is very motivated by challenges and opportunities.

"He can develop into a great player for us, because he loves to compete.

Worthington, a 5-foot-10, right-handed pitcher, has loads of untapped potential, according to Nall.

"Adam has a very quick arm on the mound," Nall said. "He is a high energy player and a great athlete.

"He has an opportunity to develop into a phenomenal pitcher for us.

Scheidt, a 6-foot-1, left-handed pitcher and outfielder, is the first true, two-way player that Dee has recruited during his tenure.

"Ryan is a solid performer on the mound and really knows how to pitch," Nall said. "We are really excited to get Ryan and think he will be a really good fit for the program.

McDermott is equally excited about seeing Scheidt's bat in action.

"Scheidt can impact us right away on the offensive side," McDermott said."We're going to put (him) in the outfield and has a chance to hit in the middle of our order early on as a freshman.

McDermott touted Eldridge, who can play all four positions in the infield, as an important cog of the 2006 recruiting class.

"Doug loves to compete and wants the opportunity to win a job," McDermott said. "He has a very strong will, has great character and is a winner.

"We're very excited to have Doug and he will provide some offensive punch for us.

Kaffel, a 6-2 infielder, has a solid work ethic, according to McDermott.

"Mike is a really hard working kid who has great leadership abilities,"McDermott said. "He's a chance to impact our program either at third base or at first base.

"He is a great addition to our program.

Rubio, who stands 5-foot-8, is a versatile player who can play infield or outfield.

"Tyler Rubio is a tremendous athlete who hits the ball very well and is a guy that can hit at the top of our order," McDermott said. "He will be one of the best athletes on our team." He's going to be a really good player.

McDermott projects Rutta, a 6-foot-4 infielder and outfielder, to bat in the middle of the order for the Flames.

"Chris Rutta is probably the best athlete that we've signed," McDermott said.

"He hits with tremendous power and strength and could have a huge impact for us offensively.

Story Courtesy of Matt Brendich, UIC Sports Information