Oct. 12, 1999

The University of Kentucky baseball team’s 1999 recruiting class has beenranked 25th in the nation in the Oct. 8 issue of Collegiate Baseball.

“From a coaching perspective, it’s nice to see recruiting efforts pay offin such a big way,” UK Coach Keith Madison said. “We’ve got an outstandinggroup of young men coming in this year and they should make an immediateimpact on our team.”

The Wildcats’ class, comprised of seven freshmen and two junior collegetransfers, ranks ahead of such perennial baseball powers as Auburn andMississippi State.

UK’s class includes:

Joseph Blanton, an All-State pitcher and Kentucky Mr. Baseball fromBowling Green, Ky.

Dan Carrender, an All-State pitcher from Somerset, Ky.

Rob Corrado, an All-State pitcher from Dayton, Ohio

Mark Michael, the MVP of Lexington Catholic’s state championship squadand USA Today’s Player of the Year from Kentucky

Seth Morris, an All-America pitcher and outfielder from Hamilton, Ohio

Dax O’Daniel, an outfielder and first baseman from St. Catherine’s JuniorCollege

Gordon Tyler, an All-State infielder from Robards, Ky.

Scott Wade, an All-State pitcher from Kingsport, Tenn., and 1999 draftpick of the Atlanta Braves

Nick Zielke, a left-handed pitcher from St. Catherine’s Junior College

The group will join 23 returning lettermen from last season’s SECTournament team. The Wildcats will open their 2000 season on February 11,when they travel to South Carolina to battle Charleston Southern.