SALEM, WV - Salem International University baseball head coach Addison Rouse has announced the signing of 16 high school players during the recent early signing period. The signees come from all over the Contiguous United States, Alaska, and Canada. In his first-year at the helm of the Tigers baseball program, Rouse is excited at the bright future that is ahead for SIU.

Anthony Maldonado of Anchorage, Alaska attends South Anchorage High School. As a junior, Maldonado appeared in 11 games for South Anchorage, batting .377 with five runs batted in and a .406 on base percentage. He also played legion ball, playing 17 games in which he batted .421 with six doubles, 24 RBIs, and 24 hits.

Maldonado garnered All-Conference honors his junior year as a designated hitter along with earning All-State accolades in legion ball. "This is a great opportunity for me," Maldonado said. "I can't wait to come and play for a team with a new coaching staff. I think there will be endless opportunities for everyone to succeed."

Chandler Beard hails from Orlando, Florida and attends Cornerstone Charter Academy. Last season, he batted .238 with a .423 OBP, six RBIs, three doubles, and eight runs scored.

"I'm very excited to join the program," Beard noted. "From the moment I stepped on campus and met coach Rouse and coach [Brad] Gyorkos, I knew it was the right place for me and where I needed to be. It's going to be something special and I can't wait to get up to Salem next year."

Dakota Jarrett of Clarksburg, West Virginia attends South Harrison High School. As a junior, Jarrett batted .386 with 19 singles, seven doubles, one home run, and 13 RBIs. He was named to the All-Harrison County Second Team and tied the South Harrison single-season record for singles and doubles.

"When I met coach Rouse I really felt like he was going to build something special at Salem," Jarrett said. "I want to be the West Virginia Piece of what's to come at Salem."

Nic Taylor hails from Lebanon, Ohio and attends Lebanon High School. Last season, he played in 24 games and hit .357 with a .403 OBP, two triples, one home run, and 18 RBIs. Along with being named as his teams Most Valuable Player, Taylor was also named to the 2016 Miami Valley Coaches Association First-Team.

"My dream has always been to play college baseball," Taylor noted. "Both coach Rouse and coach Gyorkos have given me this awesome opportunity. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity."

Dylan Frawley of Clay, New York attends Cicero North High School. Last season, Frawley batted .324 with 23 hits, 14 RBIs, and 11 runs scored. He was also named All-CNY (Central New York) and has served as a captain on the varsity team.

"From the moment I stepped on campus and met the coaches, I could see their passion for baseball and believed their vision for wanting me to help turn their program around," Frawley said. "Being apart of the rebuilding process is something special and something I want to be apart of at Salem. We don't want to be one of the best teams in West Virginia, we want to be THE team. I'm excited to get down there and go to work with my brothers."

Zac Sacripanti hails from Follansbee, West Virginia and attends Brooke High School. As a junior, he batted .439 with eight doubles, four triples, 14 stolen bases, 17 RBIs, and 28 runs scored. Sacripanti garnered All-Tournament Team accolades at the RBI Tournament in Ripley, WV.

"I think coach Rouse and coach Gyorkos are changing the culture at Salem International University and the plans they have for the program," Sacripanti said. "It's going to be talked about a lot in the future. I can't wait to be apart of history with them and all of my brothers. #BrickByBrick."

Dillon Champagne of Livonia, Michigan attends Divine Child High School. As a Junior, Champagne was voted as captain of his team, leading them to the state semifinal's. His team also earned championship honors at the district, regional, and quarterfinal levels.

"I am extremely blessed to have the opportunity to play baseball at SIU," Champagne said. "Baseball has reigned supreme in my life ever since I was young. Dad hitting ground balls and Mom catching up as much as she hated it, my parents have both always been there for me, helping me get better. I am extremely excited to be a part of the present atmosphere at Salem International. The opportunity to play college baseball has been something that I have worked my whole life for, and to finally see that dream come to fruition is something that I will always be grateful for. Being from Michigan, I look forward to transitioning to life in West Virginia and all the new possibilities it will offer me. I am excited to be a key component of changing the culture and ultimately bringing a championship to Salem International."

A teammate of Frawley at Cicero North High School, Logan Persse hails from Clay, New York. On the mound, Persse went 9-1 with a 1.60 earned run average in 63 innings of work. He recorded 52 strikeouts, eight walks, and delivered 83 percents of his first pitches to batters for strikes.

"The day I took the tour of the campus and met the coaching staff and players I knew that Salem was where I wanted to spend the next four years," Persse noted. "The coaches were all filled with energy and showed me that they were ready to turn the program around and I knew I wanted to play for a group of coaches who believed in what they were doing. I can't wait to get down there and help rebuild a program. #BrickByBrick."

Andrew Beam of Freehold, New Jersey attends Freehold Township High School. A starting catcher, Beam said, "I am extremely excited to be a part of SIU baseball family. Having coach Rouse and coach Gyorkos coaching me and sharing their wisdom with me on and off the field is a true blessing. I can't wait for the program to take off and we get to show everybody what we are capable of doing. We are going to turn heads for sure."

Cole Standifer hails from Jupiter, Florida and attends the Nova Southeastern University School. "I am super pumped to be coming to SIU to play baseball," Standifer said. "I look forward to meeting my new teammates, and to continue playing with my best friend, Josh LaPrest."

Mateo Gil of Staten Island, New York attends Grand Street Campus. Last season, he hit .389 with three double, one home run, and 11 RBIs. "I have complete faith in this program and coaching staff," Gil noted. "It has the absolute capability to take me to the next level and reach my goal of playing professional baseball. I know that while I'm here at Salem International, I won't only grow as a student-athlete but most importantly be molded into a model citizen."

Kyle Sears of Oakland, New Jersey attends Indian Hills High School. On the mound last season, Sears went 7-5 in 10 starts for Indians Hills. He appeared in 13 games, tossing 60 innings with a 2.70 ERA.

"The reason I chose SIU is because I am excited for the future," Sears said. "With coach Rouse and coach Gyorkos changing the culture of the program, the new recruits, and returning players, I am convinced big things will happen for us in the years to come."

Andrew Friend hails from West Union, West Virginia and attends Doddridge County High School. Last season, Friend appeared in 24 games and batted .254 with 19 hits, 13 runs scored, 12 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases.

Michael Belka of Freehold, New Jersey attends Freehold High School. Last season, he hit .500 with 44 hits, two doubles, one triple, and 22 stolen bases. Belka finished second in the 60 yard dash at the Perfect Game Showcase in New Jersey.

"I am so happy to be a part of SIU baseball and help this program," Belka said. "I will give 100% to the program in any way I can."

Josh LaPrest hails from Hollywood, Florida and attends the Nova Southeastern University School. Last season, LaPrest hit .360 with four home runs and 39 RBIs. He was named the USchool Hitter of the Year and garnered Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald All-County Second Team honors. LaPrest led all of Broward and Palm Beach Counties with his 39 RBIs.

"I am very excited to be a part of SIU's baseball family," LaPrest noted. "I cannot wait for the opportunity and experience that I will have in Salem."

"Overall, we are very excited as a coaching staff about this group of determined young men," Rouse said. "We have added some pitching, electric bats, and speed. This group will bring a lot of versatility and determination with them. The future is very bright for our program and we can't wait to get this group onto the same field."

The Tigers finished 8-39 last season. SIU will open its 2017 season on the road against Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina on Saturday, February 4 at Noon. The Tigers are slated to open their home-schedule on March 9 against Alderson Broaddus at Frank Loria Memorial Field.