Angelo State head baseball coach Kevin Brooks has announced the signing of four junior college transfers to the 2009 roster.

Christopher Adamson, Isaac Garcia and Jason Morriss of Clarendon College and Austin Lasprilla of Angelina College all signed their letter of intent last week and will join the team next fall.

The Clarendon trio of Morriss, Adamson and Garcia are all ranked in the top 25 in the NJCAA Division I in hitting.  Morriss, a 2008 NJCAA Preseason All-American who hails from Crestmead, Queensland, Australia, is No. 2 with a .525 average with 21 doubles, three home runs and 30 runs batted in.  Adamson, a fellow countryman from Marsden, Queensland, is no. 20 with a .464 average with 17 doubles, four home runs and 44 RBI.  Garcia, an El Paso native, sits in 24th with a .455 average with 13 doubles, five home runs and 37 RBI.  Lasprilla, a native of Maracaibo, Venezuela who now calls Houston home, is hitting .358 for Angelina College with eight doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI and 24 stolen bases.

"We are lacking in the speed department this season and that is what Morriss brings to the table," Brooks said.  "Plus he is very versatile and can move from middle infield to the outfield.  All three of the Clarendon kids can swing the bat and they all fill a void we will have next season."

While Lasprilla's numbers look to be lower that the other three signees, coach Brooks warns that the numbers in Region 14, of which Angelina is a member, can be very misleading.

"That region is a very tough region with strong pitching and a .358 average is a solid," Brooks said.  "For a comparison, Lasprilla would be probably be hitting around .420 is some of the other regions in the area.  He also is the top base stealer in the league and speed depth is what we are lacking this season."

The Rams, 32-15 on the season and 25-11 in the Lone Star Conference, return to the field on Friday when they host East Central in a four-game series.  First pitch for the series opener is set for 7 p.m. and can be heard in KKSA 1260 AM and on the internet at www.angelosports.com.