By Jared Fields, Sports Editor

After winning the Lone Star Conference title and advancing to the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament, head coach Britt Bonneau signed 12 players for his 2006 roster. Of the 12 new players, eight come straight from high school, and four are junior college transfers.

Of the high school players, the one that stands out is Trey Watten from Coppell High School. He was first team 5A all-state and his district’s Offensive Player of the Year. In June he started at shortstop for the North team in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches’ Association All-Star Game. Watten is also the nephew of head coach Britt Bonneau.

“He has a lot of talent, and I hope he helps us at shortstop,” Bonneau said. “He could have gone D-1, so we’re very fortunate and expect a lot.”

Watten isn’t the only standout player from the Metroplex signed by Bonneau. Jordan Schmitt, catcher from Lake Highlands High School, was also his district’s Offensive Player of the Year after winning the Triple Crown.

Minor Alexander, an Abilene High standout in the outfield and football, was a first team all-District 3-5A hitting .383 during his senior year.

Matt Sullivan, Alexander’s teammate at Abilene High, was a first team all-district infielder hitting .396 last season.

Three Langham Creek High School players signed with the Wildcats: Kyle Korbal, who played catcher, first and third base; Tyler Dodson, who was the team’s co-MVP and spent time at each infield position last year; and Thomas Bumpass, who was named to the first team all-Greater Houston Class 5A team by the Houston Chronicle.

Rounding out the high school class is Pfllugerville infielder Jordan Fox, who hit .386 last year to gain all-district honors.

The four transfers bring experience and leadership to a team that already has those traits. Danny Williams, first baseman from Texarkana College, helped lead his team to the NJCAA Division I World Series last year with a .397 average and 72 RBI.

Manny Lujan, utility player from Ranger College, hit .341 last year and belted six home runs.

Matt McGuire, outfielder from Paris Junior College, hit .380 last year and was an all-state catcher in high school for Wichita Falls Hirschi High School.

Shay Franks, Western Texas College pitcher, recorded six saves and posted a 3.12 ERA in 28 innings of work last season.

Overall, coach Bonneau said his team’s needs were met over the summer.

“We were very successful filling the needs,” Bonneau said. “They’re going to be very young, quality kids.”