Wayne State College interim head baseball coach Brian Disch has announced two players have signed with Wayne State College during the NCAA early signing period to play for the Wildcats in the 2010-11 school year.  They are Brandon Lalk of Oshkosh, Wisconsin and Ben Schaben of Monticello, Minnesota. 

            “I am proud to announce the signing of these two quality student athletes to the Wildcat baseball family,” remarked Disch.  “Both players possess the ability to contribute as freshmen.  The coaching staff looks forward to mentor and develop these fine student athletes.”

            Lalk is a 5-11, 180 pound outfielder from Oshkosh North High School in Wisconsin where he is a three-year starter and letter winner.  He earned First Team Fox Valley Association All-Conference honors to go with First Team All-Region and All-Area honors while leading his team in every offensive category the past two seasons. 

            “Brandon is a scrappy, speedy outfielder that can cover a lot of ground,” said Coach Disch.  “He also has a consistent bat to go along with his speed which gives him the ability to leadoff.  Brandon will compete for an outfield position as a freshman.”

            Schaben (pronounced shay-bun) is a 6-3, 240 pound pitcher from Monticello High School in Minnesota where he is a two-year starter in both baseball and wrestling.  Schaben earned All-Missiissippi 8 Conference honors and hit .436 while being named the National Team Pitcher of the Year. 

            “Ben is a good sized, right-handed pitcher that throws a very heavy ball,” commented Disch.  “He has an above average fastball with two good off-speed pitches.  Ben has the potential to be an impact pitcher for the Wildcat pitching staff.”

            Wayne State College is an NCAA Division II school located in Wayne, Nebraska and competes in the 14-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.  The Wildcats finished the 2009 season with a 45-15 record, matching the school record for wins in a season set by the 2005 team that was 45-14.  Wayne State won a sixth straight regular season Northern Sun Conference title, going 27-4 in league play, while advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight season and the seventh time in the last nine years.  WSC reached the NCAA Central Region title game before falling to Mesa State 8-2.