Carbondale, IL (U-WIRE) -- After losing three starting pitchers to graduation, Southern Illinois baseball coach Dan Callahan focused on picking players to fill the bullpen in his 2006 recruiting class.

Callahan completed the recruiting decisions Monday when he added eight more players to a class that has already had three commit early.

Callahan more than made up for the gap in his pitching rotation left by the departures of senior starting pitchers P.J. Finigan, Bryan Rueger, and Jason Chavez by securing eight hurlers in the overall class, five of which were signed Monday.

Having already secured early high school pitching signers Charlie Weber of Murphysboro, Cody Adams of Viola, Ill. and Jordan Powell of Danville, Ill., Callahan announced commitments from junior college pitchers Cory Baker and Kyle Catto, John A. Logan Community College, Matthew Dahlkamp, Lincoln Land Community College, Dusty Baker, Olney Central College, and Jordan Garner, Cowley County Community College.

While Callahan said he would typically prefer to recruit players straight from high school, rather than signing junior college transfers, he didn't want to pass up the opportunity to get more good players in the lineup for next year.

"Considering the guys that were available, high school versus junior college, there were some JC guys out there with good arms and most of them are good students so we thought it would be a good fit," Callahan said.

Callahan said he isn't always sure what he will get during the recruiting process, but he after looking at their statistics, he knows his new pitchers can throw heat.

"Most of those guys are upper 80s, low 90s kind of guys ... there are some good arms in that bunch," Callahan said. "But that doesn't mean anything if you can't throw strikes or you can't have control of a second or third pitch or you don't compete."

Dahlkamp, a right-hander, had shoulder surgery in spring 2004 and spent 2005 rehabilitating, finishing the season 3-4. Despite his losing record, Lincoln Land coach Ron Riggle said Dahlkamp will be successful at the Division I level.

"He was our most consistent player," Riggle said. "He's a good kid and he understands the game. The foundation we put in place for him will get him to do very well down there."

Since finishing at Lincoln Land, Dahlkamp has been playing in the Central Illinois Collegiate League for the Springfield Rifles. In his only start, Dahlkamp picked up the win, registering six shutout innings.

Dahlkamp played with P.J. Finigan, former Saluki and recent Major League Baseball draft pick, in high school at Springfield Lamphier. Dahlkamp said he has considered playing for SIU since high school.

"I was interested in going there out of high school but I had an injury and had to hang back," Dahlkamp said. "I have always kind of wanted to go there."

Dusty Baker and Catto led a Volunteer team that finished the 2005 season at a 37-22 mark. Baker finished 2005 with a 5-1 record and a 3.50 ERA. Catto, a two-year starter, went 7-4 with a 3.00 ERA.

In a press release, John A. Logan coach Jerry Halstead said he thinks Catto has the talent to make an impact at SIU.

"I think Kyle will battle for a spot in SIU's weekend rotation," Halstead said. "He is a power pitcher but will put up some good power numbers."

In his two years at Olney Central, closer Dusty Baker appeared in 20 games with 20 saves and posted an impressive career ERA of 1.81. Olney Central coach Dennis Conley said he expects Baker to be a clutch performer for the Salukis.

"Dusty has pitched in some tight games and performs well under pressure," Conley said.

At Cowley County Community College in Kansas, Garner, a lefthander, posted 33 strikeouts in 2005 while going 5-1 for a Tiger team that finished 47-13.

In addition to pitching prospects, the team also secured three position players that will back up the Saluki bullpen.

Mark Kelly, a catcher from Hanover Park, Ill., along with infielders Scott Elmendorf of Newburgh, Ind. and Bret Maugeri from Palos Heights, Ill., will all battle for positions in the Saluki defense and try to help ignite some offense.

Callahan said he is pleased with the class and looks forward to seeing what they can do next season.

"On paper they all look good," Callahan said. "They definitely have the skills to compete."

(C) 2004 Daily Egyptian via U-WIRE