With the recent free agent signing of Tiger catcher Richie Rowland and graduation of Brian Chase and Logan Smith, Campbellsville University lost 32 home runs from the 2010 season. They picked up half as many this week, signing Monterey Peninsula College first baseman Gabe Arcoleo, who led the California Community College Athletic Association in long balls with 16 in 2010.

Arcoleo hit .385 for Monterey Peninsula and also drove in 50 runs during his sophomore year. He had the third-best slugging percentage (.831) in the state and was third for total bases (108).

In late May, he put on a power-hitting show at the Milwaukee Brewers draft camp, belting five homers on 14 pitches, according to The Californian.

Gabe Arcoleo

The 6-2, 240-pounder, committed to the University of Nevada in Las Vegas before his senior year of high school, but played his freshman year of college in 2008 at Cuesta College. He hit .364 with eight homers and 46 RBIs before transferring back home to Monterey for his sophomore year.

In high school, Arcoleo hit .465 for his career prior to his senior year. He was a two-time All Tri-County Athletic League selection and won the Triple Crown in central California as a junior in 2006, becoming the first player to do so in central California since 1995. He was also a three-time finalist in the Fall Classic Home Run Derby and the 2005 champion in the event. He was originally recruited out of high school by UNLV, Pepperdine, Cal Poly and Southern Cal.

Joining Arcoleo are three other transfers, bringing the Tigers' 2010-2011 recruiting class to 13. CU adds closer Jon Anderson, centerfielder/infielder Michael Durham, shortstop Danny Lapchak, pitcher Michael McBride and outfielder Trent Seamons.


Jon Anderson - Texas College/Clackamas Community College

Jon Anderson

Anderson, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound right-handed pitcher comes to CU for his senior season after having Tommy John surgery in 2010. He pitched 18.1 innings as a closer at Texas College in 2009, posting a 2-1 record with two saves. He struck out 16 and had a 4.42 ERA.

In junior college at Clackamas Community College in Oregon, Anderson struck out 31 through 30 innings with a 1.8 ERA as a closer in 2008. The performance brought him a Southern Region Honorable Mention as a sophomore.

Anderson prepped at Tigard High School in Tigard, Ore., and was named All-Leage as a senior.

"Jon is a great kid, who is really motivated and will bring a sense of maturity to the team. You never know how a kid is going to bounce back from Tommy John surgery, but Jon is worth taking a gamble on because if he gets back to where he was coming out of junior college, then we got a good one. If he comes back stronger, then we got a really good one," Lewis said.


Michael Durham - West Valley College

Michael Durham

Durham, a 6-foot, 170-pound centerfielder/infielder from San Jose, Calif., concluded his three years at West Valley by hitting .395 and setting the WVC record for doubles in a season with 20 in 2010. He had a .455 on base percentage and stole 15 bases as a team captain his sophomore year. He hit .281 as a redshirt freshman in 2009 after sitting out the 2008 season.

During his senior year at Branham High School in 2007, Durham hit .367 with four homers and 25 RBIs.

"We are extremely pleased that Mike decided to sign with us. We saw him at the Norcal Showcase back in September and we were impressed with his ability. We think Mike is a five tool guy and is going to be an immediate impact for us next season," Lewis said. "He is a plus runner, plus defender in center and is extremely offensive. He can hit anywhere from the top to the middle of the lineup and he has good power for his size. He plays extremely hard between the lines and is a great kid that loves the game of baseball. He will be a difference maker."


Danny Lapchak - Orange Coast College

Danny Lapchak

Lapchak, a native of Yorba Linda, Calif., is a 2007 graduate of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif. He was a two-time All-Trinity League player and was voted the MDHS Defensive Player of the Year. After high school, he signed with New Mexico State University, but transferred to Iowa Western Community College for his freshman season in 2009. While there, he hit .370 and lead the Reivers back to the NJCCA World Series as an All-Northern Region player. In 2010, he played his sophomore year back home in Costa Mesa, Calif., at Orange Coast College. He hit .376 with 19 runs scored and 18 RBIs in his All-Orange Empire Conference campaign. He will play summer ball for the Newport Beach Waves.

"Danny is a big time player and a really humble kid. He comes from a great high school program. He went (NCAA) D-I out of high school, played at two power house junior college programs and will fit right into the Tiger family," Lewis said. "Danny is an extremely good baseball player, is very offensive and a very strong defensive player. Danny was all conference as a utility player this past spring and will make an immediate impact on the field with his athletic ability and in our clubhouse with his team first attitude and humble personality."

Michael McBride - College of Sequoias

Michael McBride

McBride was one of the state of California's leading junior college pitchers in 2010, allowing the eighth fewest walks and fifth least doubles. He averaged just 1.18 walks per nine innings pitched at the College of Sequoias. McBride finished his sophomore year with a 2.96 ERA in 76 innings of work and was named an All-Conference selection for the second straight year. He will play ball this summer with the Liberal Bee Jays of the Jayhawk Baseball League in Kansas.

In high school, McBride became a varsity players as a sophomore and was named team MVP as a junior. He was a Varsity All-American as a senior.

"Michael is a big pick up for us. Like a lot of our recruits, he had some offers from (NCAA) D-I programs and we were fortunate enough to steal him away," Lewis said. "He has outstanding pitchability, is a tremendous competitor, very mature and knows how to win. He is a strike thrower who pounds the zone, attacks hitters and does a great job fielding his position. He is a two way guy, who has the ability to add to our offense and is solid defensively in the outfield"

Trent Seamons - Treasure Valley Community College

Trent Seamons

Seamons will join previous CU signee Andrew Shoemaker as a transfer from Treasure Valley Community College in Oregon.

The 6-foot, 165-pound outfielder was named an All-NWAACC Gold Glove Team outfielder and NWAACC East Region Gold Glove outfielder. During his sophomore year at Treasure Valley, Seamons hit .352, bringing his career average to .332. He had 31 stolen bases, 30 RBIs and 40 runs scored.

"Trent adds so much strength to our outfield, he can play anywhere out there and is a plus defender at all spots. He runs the bases extremely well, is very solid offensively and works hard at his game," Lewis said. "I think Trent is a true baseball player. He may not wow you with one particular tool, but this kid can play. We talk about the little things a lot in baseball. He is the kind of player that will beat you doing the little things."



The rest of CU's signing class is:
Jeff Barto, LHP - Boise, Idaho
Gibby Briones, SS, Sunnyside, Wash.
Dario Bortolotto, RHP, San Mateo, Calif.
Rylan Chin, 2B/SS - Strathmore, Alberta, Canada
Jacob Cook, RHP - Vallejon, Calif.
Anthony Jakosa, C, Turlock, Calif.
Tanner Scott, INF, Portland, Ore.
Andrew Shoemaker, LHP, Boise, Idaho
Anthony Wirkkala, RHP, Ilwaco, Wash.