PRIOR TO JU: Played two seasons as a pitcher at Kellogg Community College...led the Bruins to a combined 88-23 overall record and a second-place finish in the national championship in his final year...as a sophomore, he earned national championship all-tournament team, regional MVP and all-conference accolades after going 11-1 with a 0.65 ERA with 95 strikeouts and only 10 walks in 83 innings.

HIGH SCHOOL: Two-year starter as a pitcher and infielder for Duane Bickle at Olivet High School...as a senior he earned second team all-state honors after going 11-1 with a 0.71 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 80 innings...as a junior, he earned all-region accolades.

PERSONAL: Born Oct. 31, 1985, in Charlotte, Mich...son of Bill and Georgia...has two brothers: Carl and Clinton; and a sister, Heidi...brother-in-law, Eric Place, played baseball at Western Michigan and played in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system for four years...major is communications.