The Simpson University Athletic Department, along with Head Coach Josh Gleason, have announced five recruits that have signed letter of intents for the 2005-2006 school year.

A pair of pitchers from Nevada, Bradley Hurn and Jon Mitchell, headline a young and talented group.  The closer for Reed High School (Sparks, NV), Hurn is a 6'3" lefty. Also a first-baseman, Hurn has been named All-League, an All-Star, made an appearance in the Nevada State Tournament and participated in the 7th Annual Kelley Baseball Showcase. 

"Brad has the hard-to-find combination of an electric fastball and a power curve from the left side," says Gleason of Hurn, who posted nine saves and a sparkling 1.26 ERA as a junior. 

Mitchell, a right-handed pitcher and third-baseman, is also from Reed High School in Sparks.  "Jon has explosive stuff... the ball just seems to jump off his arm," comments Gleason on the 6'1" Mitchell.  "As a switch-hitter, who has power, Jon has many of the tools we have strongly desired."

A former local star, Nathan Buchholz, is making his return from a shoulder injury in a Red Hawks uniform.  Buchholz was named All-Eastern Athletic League after batting .380 as a senior at Shasta High School.  He then played a year at Shasta College before sitting out due to a shoulder injury.

"His athleticism and experience will make a huge impact on our team," says Gleason of Buchholz, who is fully recovered from his injuries. 

Another local standout, Zak Aragon of Redding Christian, has signed to play for Simpson.   Aragon batted .313 with 16 RBI, four triples and five doubles in just 25 games for the Lions as a senior.  Coach Gleason says "Zak is a solid all-around athlete.  His athleticism and quickness is matched by few."

The fifth player to sign is Kevin Smith of Stockton Christian.  "Kevin does all the small things right that make a team successful," says Gleason of the second-baseman/ outfielder.