July 23, 2008

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton baseball program has added four more players to its incoming recruiting class. Outfielder Mitchell Nelson joins the Flyer baseball team as a junior college transfer while first baseman Joe Dorocak, infielder Brian Blasik and left handed pitcher Michael Guinane made formal commitments at the end of their prep careers. All four will join the squad for the upcoming 2009 season.

Nelson was a Second Team All-NWAACC and a First Team All-Southern Region selection this past season at Linn Benton Community College. After hitting .280 as a freshman, he helped to lead his team to its first NWAACC Southern Region Championship since 1991 this past spring.

"Mitchell is a scrappy, competitive leadoff hitter that can create positive things for us on the base paths with his speed," head coach Tony Vittorio said.

Dorocak was a First Team All-District selection while leading St. Ignatius High School to the OHSAA State Championship Game as a senior when he finished his prep career with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. The multi-talented high school star threw a no-hitter in his first varsity appearance his junior year.

"Joe helped lead his high school team to the state title game as one of his team's leading hitters for both average and power," Vittorio said. "He will increase our depth at first base."

Blasik helped Valley View High School to a share of the Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division Title for the first time since 2000 as a senior. He led the Spartans in most major statistical categories including batting average (.543), home runs (8), RBI (46) and doubles (15), which set a new single-season school record. Blasik was named the SWBL Southwestern Player of the Year and the Miami Valley Baseball Coaches Association Division II Player of the Year, and was selected to the All-Ohio Division II Second Team.

"Brian is one of the best position players in the Miami Valley area," Vittorio commented. "He will be a great addition to our infield."

Guinane gave up just two runs on five hits to lead Glenbrook South High School to a win in the Regional Finals over a 30-win New Trier club this past spring. He was also selected as a Sun-Times Top 100 All-Area player.

"Michael has a mid-80s fastball with great feel for his secondary pitches including a curveball and change up," Vittorio said. "He is a good pitcher that could possibly help us in the field as well."

Dayton had a 31-25 overall record in 2008 to finish seventh in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. UD posted its fifth 30-win season in program history, which have all come since 2001 under Vittorio. The Flyer pitching staff was one of the best overall in the nation with a 4.24 earned run average that led the Atlantic 10 and was 31st in Division I.