Hardin-Simmons' baseball coach Steve Coleman has announced that 20 players have committed to play for the Cowboys next season. Included in the 20 players are

The Cowboys filled immediate needs with the signing of three catchers including Coleman's son Brad, who was a standout at Cooper High School, Scott Drake a junior college transfer from Ranger College and Jordan Elam of San Antonio Madison.

HSU also got verbal commitments from four pitchers in Brian Arnold from Plano, Blake Bradley from Denton, Preston Jones from Round Rock Stoney Point, Cory Summers from Rager JC, Jeff Rairden from Wylie and Kyle Lawrence from Early.

Outfield help comes former Cooper player Michael Simpson, who had been at Midland JC along with Mason Matthews of San Angelo Central, Joshua Lain of state semifinalist Hamlin and Jones and Elam both can play the outfield.

Barry Janisse, who started at shortstop for the Cowboys as a freshman and then transferred to Galveston JC this past season is coming back to HSU. He hit .341 and committed just five errors as a freshman. Taylor Lamar from Abilene Cooper will also battled for playing time along with infielders J.D. Shore of San Angelo Central Mike Mabie of Hebron and Patrick Brandt of Springtown. Will Hart will battle for time as a utility player. HSU lost two senior starters on the infield in shortstop/third baseman Chuy Rodriguez and John Schlaffer at second base.

Brian Arnold - RHP - Plano Sr. High; Blake Bradley - RHP - Denton HS; Patrick Brandt - SS - Springtown HS; Brad Coleman - 1B/3B/C - Abilene Cooper; Chris Cox - 1B - Stoney Point HS Graduated in 2002; Scott Drake - C - Ranger JC; Jordan Elam - C/OF - San Antonio Madison HS; Ryan Hamar - C, 1B - Plano East HS; Will Hart - Util. - Trinidad JC; Preston Jones - LHP/OF - Stoney Point HS; Josh Lain - OF - Hamlin HS; Taylor Lamar - SS - Abilene Cooper HS; Mike Mabie - 3B - Hebron High School; Mason Matthews - OF- San Angelo Central HS; Jeff Rariden - RHP - Wylie HS; J.D. Shore - SS - San Angelo Central HS; Michael Simpson - OF - Midland JC/ Abilene Cooper; Cory Summers - RHP - Ranger JC; Kyle Lawrence - RHP - Early HS; Barry Janisse - SS/2B - Galveston JC