MWSU Sports Information

Missouri Western baseball coach Charles “Buzz” Verduzco has announced the signing of four more student-athletes to the NCAA National Letter of Intent for next season. Shawn Egge a junior college transfer from Williston, ND, Clay Miller of Wentzville, Mo., Kyle Simpson a junior college transfer from Camdenton, Mo. and James Smelcer a transfer from Park University join Jerico Burasco of Lee’s Summit, Mo. and Dylan Roads of Kansas City, Mo. to next season squad.

Shawn Egge a junior college transfer from Longview Community College played his high school baseball at Williston High School in Williston, N.D. Egge, an outfielder was a captain, MVP and All-Region selection at Longview. In 2011 he hit .317 with 19 RBI, three home runs, 11 stolen bases and a .451 on base percentage. In 2010 he hit .346 with 69 RBI, 20 home runs, 13 stolen bases and a .460 on base percentage. In high school he was an All-State selection. He plans on majoring in health and exercise science at Western.

“We saw Shawn Egge play centerfield for two years at Longview CC and was very impressed with him,” commented Verduzco. “He can hit for power and average and will be an exciting player to watch in the MIAA.”

Clay Miller from Wentzville, Mo. played his high school baseball at Timberland High School. Miller, an outfielder was All-Conference as a sophomore, and over the past three years he has led the team in plate appearances, stolen bases, and sacrifices. During his junior season he helped his team go undefeated in Conference play and win the Gateway Athletic Conference North title, and this year the senior co-captain helped the team win the District title and advance to the State Quarterfinals. In 282 career at bats he hit .312 scoring 58 runs with 33 RBI, 24 stolen bases and 11 sacrifices. Miller plans on majoring in wildlife conservation management at Western.

“Clay Miller is very skilled High School outfielder who handles the bat well and shows knowledge for the game that you don’t always see from young players,” stated Verduzco. “He comes from a well respected High School program (Timberland High School, Wentzville, Mo.) that consistently contends for State titles each year.”

Kyle Simpson a junior college transfer from Longview Community College played his high school baseball at Camdenton High School in Camdenton, Mo. At Longview Simpson was an All-Region and All-District catcher/third baseman. As a freshman at Longview he hit .424 with six home runs while as a sophomore he hit .309 with two home runs. In high school Simpson earned All-Conference and All-District honors. Simpson plans on majoring in finance in at Western.

“Kyle Simpson is a solid corner player from Longview CC that will add a lot of power and consistency to our line up,” said Verduzco. “He is a great addition to our squad.”

James Smelcer a transfer from Park University played his high school baseball at Liberty High School in Liberty, Mo. At Park, Smelcer was a two year Academic All-Conference selection. In high school he .350 with three home runs during his senior season. He was a team captain as well as First Team All-Metro and Second Team All-Conference as a senior at Liberty. Smelcer is an infielder who is undecided on a major at Western.

“Jimmie Smelcler transfers to Western from Park University,” commented Verduzco. “He was one of the top area infielders out of High School two years ago and we are fortunate to have him here at Western. He is a very talented infielder who can play multiple positions as well provide a solid bat in our line up.”