BUFFALO, NY - The UB men's baseball team and Head Coach Bill Breene announced its first round of signees for next season. The baseball program will begin competition in the 1999-2000 academic year for the first time since the program was discontinued in 1986.

One of the coaches top priorities in the recruiting effort was to establish top position players defensively, especially up the middle. Another key point the coaches wanted to focus on was to sign some of the top high school players from the Western New York area, giving more local players with the talent a chance to compete at the Division I level. With the 13 recruits signed by UB, the coaching staff felt they made progress in the achievement of these goals and are still actively recruiting to improve the program.

A key recruit from this standpoint is shortstop Adrian Daniels (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport). One of the top shortstops in the state, Daniels was a preseason All-American and a member of the Empire State Medalist team in 1998. Daniels is viewed by many as one of the top players in the state at his position and was heavily recruited by other division I programs. Bryan Sanchez (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) is another infielder who will likely see immediate playing time. A powerful hitter from the left side of the plate, Sanchez was ranked by Collegiate Baseball as one of the top high school players in the state of New York this season. Both of these players have the talent to be drafted in this summer's amateur draft and posseses the talent to step in and start from day one.

Brian Zelasko (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) is an infielder who has the versatility to play at multiple positions. A multi-sport athlete coming from a top high school program at Orchard Park under head coach Bob Barrows, Zelasko has the talent and fundamental skills necessary to step in and contribute immediately. Another player from the program at Orchard Park is centerfielder Eric Huber (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park), who was a first team All-Western New York player. A transfer from Alfred State, Huber has great speed and a strong arm. A dependable left-handed hitter, he will be the foundation to build the outfield around.

UB also signed catcher Mark Vogel (West Seneca, NY/Bishop Timon). A transfer from Erie Community College, Vogel will be expected to provide the team with some leadership on the field. He has great speed and a strong arm. Vogel was one of the key players that led ECC to the Division III Junior College World Series last year.

Another local player signed is second baseman Kevin Brown (Amherst, NY/Amherst Central). A transfer from this years successful Alfred State team, Brown was selected to the second team All-Region squad last year and was an All-Western New York first team selection in high school. One of the few upperclassman, he will be expected to provide leadership for the team both on and off the field. Brown is one of three players UB signed from Alfred State, a team that is currently 28-8 and one of the top junior colleges in the region.

"In building a program, I know the coaches at UB were looking for talented players and winners, and they got that with these three guys (Kevin Brown, Eric Huber and Matt Rogan)," said Alfred State Head Coach Tom Kinney. "With UB in the process of building their program, it gives these kids another quality Division I option in the local area."

The Bulls also signed Brandon DiCesare (Rochester, NY/McQuaid), a multi-sport athlete who could fill in at a number of positions for UB. He is a good defensive catcher who could also see time at first base or in the outfield. DiCesare is a power hitter who can put up some good offensive numbers.

The only recruit signed to have been previously drafted is Gerald Perkins (Royalton, NY/Royalton Hartland Central), a big, strong hitter from the left side of the plate. A transfer from Niagara Community College, Perkins was drafted by the Florida Marlins after his senior year of high school when was also an All-Western New York selection. He gives the team an immediate threat to hit the long ball with every plate appearance. The Bulls added transfer Rick Mariano (Buffalo, NY/St. Joseph's), whose dad is the head coach at St. Joseph's High School. An All-Catholic team selection in high school, Mariano is a versatile player who can fill in at any position in the infield and is another local area player who will help in building a winning program.

The coaching staff also signed a strong group of pitchers, beginning with junior college transfer Jeff Robertson (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore West). A right-hander, Robertson is a transfer from Erie Community College where he teamed with fellow UB signee Mark Vogel to lead the team to the Junior College Division III World Series. He was the winning pitcher in the Regional Championship game and led the team to a 38-8 record last season. Robertson should provide leadership for the pitching staff and will be a top pitcher in the starting rotation. John Sullivan (Buffalo, NY/Timon HS) is another talented pitcher from the Buffalo area who will be looked upon to provide some added depth to the staff.

UB signed a top-quality left-handed pitcher in Matt Franklin (Rochester, NY/Greece Athena). At 6-4, this left-hander is an intimidating force on the mound. He has great form and has good movement on his pitches. Tyler Balentine (Mendon, NY/Honeoye Falls) is another top pitcher signed to play for UB next season. A first team All-County selection for Honeoye Falls High School last year, he finished with a 14-4 record. Not an overpowering pitcher, Balentine is a great situational pitcher and a good thinker on the mound in tough spots. He has a great curve ball and command of his pitches. Playing for high school coach Bob Clapp, a former player in the Mid-American Conference, Balentine has the ability to have some success in the Bulls program.

A third transfer from this year's successful program at Alfred State is pitcher Matt Rogan (Cattaraugus, NY/Cattaraugus Central). An All-Western New York first team player, he is a solid all-around pitcher who was recruited by many other Division I programs. Rogan will have a spot in the starting rotation and give them team an experienced thrower on the mound.

Bulls Head Coach Bill Breene is excited about his first recruiting class for the baseball program, which was reinstated after being closed following the 1986 season. "I'm tickled to death with the kids we have coming in to help get this program started." said Breene. "All these kids are quality individuals with a great understanding of what we are building here at UB. Our coaching staff is excited to have them coming into our program."