Cougars Sign Four

Nov. 18, 2011

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE Associate Head Baseball Coach Tony Stoecklin has announced the signing of four student-athletes during the fall signing period.

Zach Little (Washington), Jacob Stewart (Mt. Zion), Caleb Wilkerson (Festus, Mo.) and Justin (JD) Williams (Kansas City, Mo.) have each signed National Letters of Intent to play baseball at SIUE beginning in 2013.

"We're very excited about this class," Stoecklin said. "We're excited about the depth of their academic success, their quality of character and their athletic ability."

Little, a 6-foot 2-inch, 215 pounder, is a right-handed hitting catcher out of Washington High School. Little is a two-time All Mid-Illini Conference selection. Little earned first team honors as a junior and second team honors as a sophomore. He also was twice selected to the McDonald's All-Star Underclass game.

"Zach is extremely talented," Stoecklin said. "He does a nice job of receiving and blocking balls and has an above average arm. At the plate he has above average power."

Little also played football for three years and earned a varsity letter in golf at Washington. Little played club baseball with the Decatur Commodores with fellow recruit Jacob Stewart.

Stewart, 6-3, 185 pounds, is an infielder from Mt. Zion High School. He bats and throws right-handed. Stewart was an All-Apollo second team selection following his sophomore and junior seasons. Stewart also was a member of the Honor Roll at Mt. Zion. Stoecklin said Stewart will be valuable because of his versatility. He is able to play all of the infield positions and both of the corner outfield spots.

"Jacob is strong, athletic and can play multiple positions," Stoecklin said. "And he has a very nice swing."

Wilkerson, 6-1, 170 pounds, is a right-handed pitcher and outfielder from Festus High School. Wilkerson was named to the All-Jefferson County Conference first team and was selected as a Rawling's Top Prospect by Perfect Game USA. Wilkerson hit .338 as a junior with 21 RBIs at Festus.

"Caleb is very athletic and versatile," Stoecklin said. "He can really go get it in the outfield and has a plus arm on the mound."

Wilkerson was a member of the National Honor Society and carried a 4.0 GPA into his senior year.

Williams, 6-1, 175 pounds, is a right-handed pitcher from Liberty North High School near Kansas City. The right-hander earned first team All-Small Six Conference honors in 2011. Williams was chosen as Liberty North's Pitcher of the Year following his junior season.

"JD is a polished high school pitcher with command of three pitches," Stoecklin said. "He is extremely competitive and will have the opportunity to come and get a lot of innings as a freshman."

The Cougars concluded the 2011 season with a 28-24 record and finished the season on an eight-game winning streak. The Cougars were 19-4 at home during the year. SIUE was 15-4 against OVC teams, including going 10-0 in home games against OVC opponents.