There will be a clear orange hue to Shawn Yarbrough's second Mid-Continent University baseball team. Yarbrough, hired this summer to breathe some life into the Cougars' fledgling program, signed five players expected to play key roles at Marshall County next spring — catcher Brantley Barrett, third baseman-pitcher Tyler Johnson, second baseman Kody Charlton, outfielder Cameron Kimball and pitcher Kyle Courtney — for the 2010 season.
It's the first signal that Yarbrough's basic recruiting strategy — signing as many top local players as possible — is coming to fruition. And there are signs that others could be on the way, including Lone Oak left-handed pitcher Allen Haase.
"Some of these guys could have signed with (higher-level) schools," Yarbrough said, "but they're buying into the idea that they can play right away and help us get this program turned around. I've said from the time I got here that we can be competitive in our conference if we can get the good local players."
Four of the aforementioned five players started last season for Marshall, which went 27-5 and was upset by Ballard Memorial in the regional semifinals. Courtney didn't play for the Marshals last spring, but showed some potential while pitching American Legion ball last summer.
Yarbrough has also hired a coaching staff with local ties. Former Murray State outfielder Tyler Pittman will serve as Mid-Continent's pitching coach — Yarbrough and Pittman also worked together on Terry Amis' coaching staff for Paducah's American Legion team this summer. Former Community Christian coach Matt Smith will focus on defense.
There is also a possibility that Mid-Continent will play a home series at Brooks Stadium. The idea is that the mid-March weekend series between Mid-Continent and Trevecca Nazarene could be played in Paducah. Carlisle County and Post 31 alum Tim Dunn is expected to be one of Trevecca's top pitchers.
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