Nov. 19, 2008

DAYTON, Ohio - University of Dayton baseball head coach Tony Vittorio announced the signing of five student-athletes for the 2009-2010 year on Wednesday. UD will add Eric Dawson, Ian Gardeck, Bryce Lahrman, Jake Roberts and Dan Welch to a strong core of Flyers.

Gardeck and Lahrman are two power right handers in this year's recruiting class. Gardeck, a Crystal Lake South senior, is ranked as the #1 right handed pitcher by Perfect Game Crosschecker in Illinois. Ian possesses a fastball that tops out at 95 miles per hour. In addition, Perfect Game ranks Gardeck as the fifth-best prospect at any position in the state of Illinois.

"Ian possesses more than just an electric fastball. He is a young man that truly understands the commitment to preparation that it takes to pitch at the Division I level and beyond," said associate head coach Todd Linklater. "I am very excited to have him as part of our pitching staff and family at the University of Dayton."

Lahrman, a Wauconda High School senior is noted for his ability to pound the strike zone relentlessly with three pitches. Lahrman throws a heavy fastball topping out in the low 90's. Perfect Game Crosschecker ranks Lahrman as the No. 10 right-hander out of Illinois.

"Bryce's feel for pitching and his bulldog approach on the mound will fit perfectly into our system of attacking our opponents. He has the potential to be a major contributor as a freshman," said Linklater.

Roberts, a Noblesville, Ind. native, is known best for his strong all-around play earning Hoosier Crossroads All-Conference honors during his junior season. Roberts hit .356 with five doubles and four homeruns for the Noblesville Millers varsity team in 2008 and was a member of the Indiana Bulls club team this past summer.

Midland High School senior Eric Dawson also joins the infield for UD. Dawson hit .442 for Midland during his junior year garnering fist-team Saginaw Valley Conference honors. In addition, Dawson's summer team Berryhill Legion won the Great Lakes Regional Tournament and qualified for the Legion World Series.

Welch, a catcher from Central Arizona College has also committed to playing baseball at Dayton. Welch is noted for his sizeable performance behind the plate and the ability to catch runners stealing. He hit .416 in fall baseball for perennial junior college powerhouse Central Arizona. Prior to that, Welch played for Treasure Valley Community College hitting .282, going yard three times while collecting five doubles on the season.

"All five of these commitments definitely filled our recruiting needs out of this year's recruiting class. With the addition of two power pitching arms in Gardeck and Lahrman, an experienced catch and throw guy in Welch, as well as two athletic position players in Roberts and Lawson, I am extremely excited about the future of our baseball program at The University of Dayton," said Vittorio. "All five of these players will fit into our program and represent what a University of Dayton Baseball Player is all about."

The five additions will join the Flyers for the 2009-2010 school year. Dayton begins its 2009 campaign on the road at High Point on Feb. 20.