AZUSA, Calif. -- Paul Svagdis and his coaching staff may have finished their season but they are as hard to find as ever as they scour the land for the best ballplayers to plug into Azusa Pacific.

Svagdis has already signed 4 prep standouts that will assimilate into the program next season. The class grew to 6 this past week as Eddie Crespo, a fleet-footed centerfielder, and Mario Romero, a take charge catcher, signed on to continue their careers playing at Cougar Field.

Crespo transfers to Azusa Pacific from Citrus College where he batted .382 in 42 games for the Owls. He was their most prolific hitter who hit 11 doubles and used his speed to swipe 10 bases.

“We are very excited about Eddie’s decision to make APU his top choice. He has been very successful as a leadoff hitter in both high school and junior college,” said Svagdis. “We feel like he will be a solid addition to our line-up both offensively and defensively in the outfield.”

He will work prominently into the Cougars’ plans because they must find an everyday centerfielder to replace the graduated Coba Canales. They figure to have addressed that off-season need with the addition of Crespo.

The signing of Romero brings the total of incoming freshmen to 5. He brings a load of talent from Los Altos High where he is hitting .475 after 19 games with 7 doubles and 19 RBIs.

“Mario comes highly recommended not only in the athletic community, but in the surrounding community as a person of character. We expect him to bring a solid work ethic and a strong desire to compete to compete to our club,” said Svagdis.

He will also add depth at a key position for the Cougars in 2007 and beyond.

“Mario has been one of the best catchers in the San Gabriel Valley for the past 2 years. He has been like another coach on the field. Players like him make you a better coach,” said Los Altos head coach Keith Prager.