Tabor announces multiple signings for 2003-04

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN
The Tabor College athletic department announced the signing of several athletes last week.

Baseball-Coach John Sparks has signed six new players to his team for the upcoming season.

Tony Steiner of Gillette, Wyo., a 5-foot 10-inch, 165-pound second baseman and pitcher, was the first to commit to Tabor to play baseball.

Steiner batted over .300 the past two seasons for the Gillette Post 42 Roughriders, who finished 37-21 overall and 15-1 in their conference.

The second baseman is also skilled with his glove, committed just two errors in 58 games this past season.

As a pitcher, Steiner finished with a 1.20 earned-run average for the No. 1 ranked team in Wyoming’s American Legion Baseball league.

“We feel as if he will strengthen our middle infield with his defensive ability,” Parks said. “He’s also proven he can hit the ball against some outstanding competition.”

Brian Kimsey of Sacramento, Calif., also has signed a letter of intent with the Bluejays.

The 6-1, 180-pound infielder and outfielder most recently played for the Sacramento IBAC traveling team this summer after a stint with American River Junior College.

The Sacramento native currently is hitting .384 with five homers and 30 runs batted in.

“We look for Brian’s athleticism to help us significantly in this coming year,” Sparks said.

Matt Buller of Andover is a 5-8, 160-pound pitcher from Andover Central High School.

Buller posted a 4-1 pitching record for ACHS, a 2.85 ERA and helped lead his team to an overall record of 13-7 and a regional championship.

“Matt has shown the ability to be a clutch pitcher over the past two seasons at Andover Central,” said Sparks. “He is a hard worker who should help our middle relief significantly this coming season.”

Maize High School’s Aaron Smith, a 6-0, 165-pound left-handed pitcher, had a record of 3-0 with an ERA of 1.65 in 14 appearances this year for the Class 6A state champion Maize Eagles, who finished 21-4. Smith was an honorable mention Chisholm Trail League honoree.

“He will certainly have the opportunity to compete for a starting job on the mound,” Sparks said.

Scott Wolfe of Grinnell, a 6-0, 165-pound pitcher and infielder, attended Grinnell High School and compiled a 7-1 record with a 3.75 ERA as a pitcher. He also hit .475 with four home runs.

The Grinnell standout was also a first-team all league eight-man football selection and competed in the Kansas eight-man all-star game.

“”We feel like although he competed at a small high school, he has huge potential to be a successful pitcher in the KCAC,” Sparks said.

Brandon Stone of Fort Collins, Colo., is a 5-11, 165-pound outfielder who played for Pondre High School as a starting center fielder and lead-off hitter over the past two seasons.

“With the loss of three seniors in the outfield, we are counting on Brandon to step in and have an immediate impact for us.”

Volleyball-Ashley McKillip of Hayes Center, Neb., has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball for Tabor this season, according to head coach Amy Ratzlaff.

The 5-foot-10-inch middle hitter was selected as a Sertoma all-star, to the conference first-team, and to the all-area team by the McCook (Neb.) Gazetteland.

“Ashley brings a lot of amazing gifts with her to Tabor,” Ratzlaff said. “On the court, she brings power and speed combined with a knowledge of the game that will make her an impact player during her four years here.”

Women’s soccer/basketball-Cady Stuever of Wichita, a 5-8 guard and midfielder, has signed letter to play women’s soccer and basketball at Tabor this year.

She attended Independence Community College last season.

With her help, the basketball team finished with a 19-10 record overall and a third-place finish in the Eastern Division of the Jayhawk Conference.

“Cady is a good shooter and solid defensive player,” said coach Rusty Allen. “She is a very intelligent player as well.”

As a mid-fielder and defensive specialist for her soccer team in high school, Stuever was an all-city honorable mention player at Wichita Heights.

More from article archives
Organizers prepare for 2nd all-night Relay for Life
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN STAFF The American Cancer Society 2001 Marion County Relay for...
Read More