MARION, Ind. -- The Indiana Wesleyan University baseball team has signed a trio of Grant County student-athletes. Jason Hooten, Matt Helm and Austin Nevers will all don the red and gray of the Wildcats in the spring of 2009.

Hooten, a right handed pitcher, was named the 2008 Chronicle Tribune Pitcher of the Year after compiling a 7-0 record and a 1.38 earned run average. The Eastbrook High School graduate tallied 84 strikeouts in 50-2/3 innings pitched.

"Jason has a strong arm with good movement on all of his pitches," said former baseball coach and new athletic director Mark DeMichael. "We really are excited about Jason's potential and the impact that he can make for our program right away as a freshman."

Joining Hooten from Eastbrook will be Helm, a right handed pitcher. Helm was selected to the 2008 Chronicle Tribune All-County First Team.

DeMichael stated, "Matt is a quality pitcher who has yet to reach his full potential. We really feel that Matt can be very effective right away but also feel that he has the potential to improve dramatically."

Nevers, a Marion High School graduate, is a left handed hitter who throws right handed. He played first base this season for the Giants due to an arm issue, but has played middle infield and pitched in the past. Nevers competed in the East/West Senior All-Star Game at Blackford High School and plated the game-winning RBI.

"Austin is a great athlete who we feel has the ability to do anything on the baseball field," said DeMichael. "Austin has a chance to contribute in many different ways because of his versatility and his superior athletic ability."

Indiana Wesleyan finished 2008 with a 32-24 record and placed second at the NCCAA World Series.