Bears head coach Kevin Smallcomb announced the addition of four student-athletes to his program on Wednesday.

July 12, 2006

GREELEY, Colo. - University of Northern Colorado head baseball coach Kevin Smallcomb announced the addition of four players for his 2007 recruiting class on Wednesday. The class includes Matt Buck (Cave Creek, Ariz./Chandler-Gilbert C.C.), Dan Kazell (Arvada, Colo./Mesa C.C.), Travis "T.R." Keating (Lakewood, Colo./Colby C.C.) and Cory Morales (Lakewood, Calif./Rio Hondo C.C.).

That group joins Sean Peery (Highland Ranch, Colo./Hutchinson CC) who signed with the Bears in the early signing period in November. Another player, Seth Loman, also signed in November but has decided to pursue professional baseball instead of attending college. The recruiting period for the Bears is still on-going and Smallcomb indicated the program will add several more players to the class.

"We have lost some real credible pitchers on the mound from last season and we are trying to replace that credibility with the group of players we have signed," said Smallcomb, who will enter his fifth year with the program in 2007. "We think the group of Matt Buck, Dan Kazell and T.R. Keating will help us solve that issue. And with the loss of good pitching, we also have to insert good defense to help us improve on our independent leading .964 fielding percentage. Cory Morales can be a finesse shortstop and an impact player for us.

"The community college experience these four players bring to our program should bode well at the University of Northern Colorado," Smallcomb added. "We need impact pitchers to perform at a high level, which is where our schedule takes us."

Buck (6'2, 195 lbs., LHP) played the last two seasons at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Arizona for coach Doyle Wilson, a former major leaguer with the Cleveland Indians, and assistant coach Russ Luce, who played under Smallcomb at American River Community College in Sacramento. In 2006, he appeared in 10 games and compiled a 1-1 record and 2.57 ERA in 21 innings of work. He struck out 10 and combined for a shutout. As a freshman he appeared in eight games for the Coyotes, netting a save in 14.1 innings of work. CGCC was 32-24 in 2006 and lost in the District Finals of the playoffs and were 34-20 his freshman season. Buck was drafted in the 30th round (pick No. 897 overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Montreal Expos. He attended Cactus Shadows High School where he was named a "Super 50" player and started the 4A all-state game in 2003. Buck also played varsity basketball.

"Our coaching staff likes that Matt has a big up-side," Smallcomb said. "Being chosen by the Montreal Expos in 2003 agrees with the upside potential. Matt will get a lot of opportunities where members of the pitching staff averaged 15 appearances each last season."

Kazell (6'3, 180 lbs., RHP) played two seasons at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Ariz. for coach Tony Cirelli. In 2006 he pitched 75 innings on his way to a 7-2 record and 2.65 ERA; he struck out 46 batters. The Thunderbirds finished the year 44-21 overall and at one point of the season was ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA Division 2 poll. The team won a regional championship in 2005 and Kazell pitched in the NJCAA World Series. A native of Colorado, Kazell played high school baseball for coach E.J. Mapps at Pomona High, playing four different positions (second base, shortstop, third base and pitcher). As a senior in 2004, he had a 9-1 record and 2.66 ERA in 50 innings of work while earning all-state honors. He struck out an amazing 74 and walked only 15 batters. The Panthers were 19-5 overall that season, 9-1 in the JeffCo Conference. Pomona won the 5A state championship his junior year, when he was 2-1 overall with a 4.40 ERA, and was ranked 22nd nationally in the final Easton national high school poll.

"Dan has excellent command and control," Smallcomb said. "He is an effective strike thrower who we liked out of high school and watched develop at his community college. "Our weekend starters from a year ago are gone, so we hope Dan can fill one of those slots for us in 2007."

Keating (6'6, 205 lbs., RHP) played the past two seasons at Colby Community College in Colby, Kan. for coach Ryan Carter. As a sophomore in 2006, Keating compiled a 7-6 overall record and a save in 68.2 innings of work. He appeared in 15 total games, 10 of which he started, and had six complete games. He struck out 64 and walked only 22 while compiling a 2.75 ERA. Colby was 33-29 in 2006 and lost in the finals of the Region VI playoffs to Butler.

"T.R. is a proven starter and a winner," Smallcomb said. "He was a big part in helping turn around a Colby team that went from last place to first place in its conference. We hope T.R. can step in and fill one of our weekend starting spots in the rotation."

Morales (5'10, 175 lbs., INF) played each of the past two seasons at Rio Hondo Community College for coach Mike Salazar. In 2005, Morales hit .335 with 57 hits and 33 RBI in earning first-team All-Foothills Conference honors. He repeated as a first-team all-conference selection in 2006 when he had a .320 average, 65 hits, 29 RBI and 10 stolen bases. In 2006 he was also named to the All-Southern California team. The Roadrunners were Foothills Conference Champions in 2005 and runners-up in 2006, as they advanced to the postseason in both years. Morales helped to replace former Rio Hondo infielder Evan Longoria, who later played at Long Beach State and was drafted No. 3 overall by Tampa Bay in the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Morales played high school baseball at Artesia High for coach Michael Gaoghagan. For the Pioneers he was a first-team All-Suburban League selection, team captain and MVP. As a senior he hit .424 with 13 doubles, 20 RBI and 10 stolen bases. His team was the league champion in 2003 as well as being CIF-SS quarterfinalists.

"Cory is an impact player," Smallcomb said. "He has exceptional defensive skills, which is something we are looking for in our program. He is a proven winner who has had great success at the high school and community college level in a very competitive California system. He also comes from a quality baseball program that is very tradition rich."

Northern Colorado finished the 2006 season with a 21-30 record including victories over No. 2 Nebraska, No. 12 Arkansas and a two-game sweep over Big 12 Tournament Champion Kansas. The Bears won six in a row to close the season including winning its second consecutive Division I Independent Championships by sweeping four games at the event held in Sioux Falls, S.D. at the end of May.