In addition to the five players already a part of the 2006 class, the newest members are comprised of four junior college players, one Division I transfer and one recent high school graduate.

"All of the individuals we have brought in will help strengthen the program for the 2006 season," Smith said. "Each player brings something new and intriguing that will benefit our program."

One of the Hornets'' main priorities was to begin to rebuild their pitching staff, which lost six seniors following the 2005 season.

Sacramento State brought in Yuba College''s James Thomas, who made 16 appearances, including a team-high 12 starts for the 49ers. A 2003 graduate of East Nicholas HS, Thomas pitched 81 innings during his sophomore season at Yuba, and finished 2005 with a staff-leading 42 strikeouts and a 3.56 ERA.

The second pitcher added to the staff was right-hander Cyrus Sarraf out of Irvine Valley College. Sarraf earned all-Orange Empire Conference honors after making 15 appearances and 13 starts for the Lasers. Irvine Valley finished 2005 with a record of 25-13, advancing to the playoffs for the first time in the program''s five-year history. Sarraf finished his season with a 7-5 record, pitching 95.1 innings with 65 strikeouts and a 3.49 ERA.

"Everyone is going to bring something beneficial to the program," Smith said. "These players are all mature and well-skilled athletes who have been successful at the junior college or high school level. I am excited for them to join our program."

Another addition out of Irvine Valley is infielder Wes Oberlin. He hit .315 for the Lasers, totaling 47 hits, 38 RBIs, five doubles, four home runs and three triples.

Outfielder Montana Dye out of Saddleback College will also join Sacramento State. Dye hit .250 for the Gauchos, who finished the season 20-14. He totaled 31 hits, 28 RBIs, nine doubles and six home runs.

Sacramento State will also welcome outfielder Nick Jiles. A Yakima, Wash., native, Jiles played the last two seasons for Washington. In his two years with the Huskies he played in 14 games and also played for the Humboldt Crabs during the summer of 2004. At Davis HS in Yakima, Wash., Jiles was named first-team all-Big-9 and honorable mention all-state as a junior in 2002.

The Hornets'' final signee is Gabe Jacobo of Tulare Western HS. The 6''2" infielder played in 31 games for the Mustangs, leading the team to a 22-9 record and the Central Section Division II Championship.

A Tulare, Calif., native, Jacobo batted .363 and totaled 41 RBIs, 37 hits, 29 runs, 10 home runs and nine doubles with a .765 slugging percentage in 2005. After leading his team in RBIs, home runs and slugging percentage, he was named Times-Delta Tulare County Athlete of the Year and East Yosemite League MVP. Jacobo''s stand-out senior season ended with home runs in three consecutive playoff games, ending his season with eight blasts in his final 15 games. He also leaves the Mustangs as the program''s all-time leader in hits (106), RBIs (92) and home runs (12).

Jacobo was also the starting quarterback for Tulare Western, passing for 3,117 yards and leading the Mustangs to EYL championship. His 38 touchdowns also set a new county record.

In 2006 the Hornet baseball program will enter its first season as an affiliate member of the Western Athletic Conference.

The WAC will include Fresno State, Hawai’i, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, San Jose State and New Mexico State, with the top six teams advancing to the postseason tournament.

Sacramento State was a previous member of the WAC from 1993-96 and has competed as an independent team since the 2003 season.

2006 Signing Class

Name Pos. Hometown/Previous School

Montana Dye OF Saddleback College

Gabe Jacobo INF Tulare, Calif./Tulare Western HS

Nick Jiles OF Yakima, Wash./Washington

Gary Johnson OF Fair Oaks, Calif./Sierra College

Brian Joyce OF Temecula, Calif./Chapparal HS

Wes Oberlin IF Irvine Valley College

Cyrus Sarraf RHP Irvine Valley College

Ryan Stevens OF Fair Oaks, Calif./Del Campo HS

James Thomas RHP Yuba College

Josh White RHP Lancaster, Calif./Lancaster HS

Trevor York RHP San Bernardino, Calif./Arrowhead Christian Academy