AZUSA, Calif.-- Azusa Pacific baseball coach Paul Svagdis announced the signing of 2 more high school standouts—Shaun Lane from El Dorado High and Stephen Gillette from San Pasqual High in San Diego—brining the total to 6 incoming freshmen for the 2005-06 season.

“The addition of these 2 quality young men is just another step in the right direction,” said Svagdis. “Both of these athletes have excellent futures ahead of them both on the field and beyond, and they fit perfectly with our philosophy as a program.”

Joining the recruiting class that already includes Mater Dei’s Christian Gagne, Kirk Nieuwenhuis from Denver Chrisitan HS as well as teammates from Beyer High in Modesto, Calif., Dwight Nixon and Kyle Loretelli, both Lane and Gillette will have an opportunity to contribute from the outset of their careers.

Lane was a 3-year starter at third base for CIF-Southern Section Division I power El Dorado High in Placentia, Calif. He enjoyed his finest year as a 2004 junior when he hit .466 with 23 RBIs and 10 doubles, earning All-Century League honors. He led the Hawks to an appearance in the 2004 CIF Division I championship game at Dodger Stadium, which was pitched by now Cougar teammate Zach Pettikas.

“El Dorado head coach Steve Gullotti has had a tremendous amount of success, and our coaching staff has a ton of respect for him and his program,” said Svagdis. “Shaun is another in a long line of quality baseball players to come out of that program. We are always excited to get an athlete from there, because those baseball players hold themselves to a higher standard on the field, in the classroom and around the community. Shaun fits that same profile, and he’s a good baseball player as well. We look forward to his influence on this program the next 4 years.”

This year, Lane led the underdog Hawks (16-14) to the CIF Division I semifinals, a 3-2 loss to Riverside Poly last Tuesday. Lane finished the season hitting .300 and was second in the Century League with 22 RBIs. He was recently named to the North Orange County All-Star team. He now joins former El Dorado teammates Pettikas and Chris Cardinale at Azusa Pacific.

Gillette was also a 3-year varsity starter in the outfield at San Pasqual High in San Diego. A prolific power hitter, Gillettte led San Pasqual in home runs, hammering 6 this year. He currently leads the Golden Eagles in home runs, RBIs and walks.

“I look forward to playing a competitive league and taking my game to the next level,” said Gillette. “I am excited to play for and contribute to a team that has had success. I am eager for college life and am ready to learn from the coaches at Azusa Pacific.”

As a 2004 junior, Gillette was named Defensive Player of the Year after playing in 28 games without committing an error. Prior to his senior year, Gillette was named PUMA Preseason High School All-American.

“From a physical standpoint, Stephen has an excellent opportunity to be very successful at the collegiate level and beyond,” said Svagdis. “He is a very good runner, has a strong arm and has solid power. We are looking forward to working with him and giving him a chance to develop at the plate. We feel that he could become a very good power hitter at our level.”

Azusa Pacific is coming off a season in which it finished 22-22 overall, 17-13 GSAC, missing the NAIA Region II Playoffs by just one game. The Cougars return 20 players from last year’s team, 16 of whom were underclassmen, including GSAC and NAIA Region II Player of the Year Stephen Vogt.