“Entering our second year in the Western Athletic Conference, this class reflects the respect and degree of visibility that the league brings to our program,” Smith said. “It is a tremendous opportunity to play in the WAC and these new players will make us more competitive.”

Blair and Boyd headline the new corps after receiving all-Central Valley Conference honors while playing at College of the Sequoias and Modesto JC, respectively. The Hornets also welcome Orosco and Stavert, pitchers from Skyline CC and Chabot JC, and recent Wheatland High School graduate Paul Jinkens.

Blair was named first team all-Central Valley after leading the Giants to a 31-15 overall record and an appearance in the state playoffs. The 6-foot-2 outfielder played in 45 games and was second on the team with a .355 batting average and 39 RBIs. He led the team with seven home runs and four triples, while stealing a team-leading 14 bases. Blair, a graduate of Golden West High School in Visalia, Calif., finished the year with a .587 slugging percentage and .431 on-base percentage.

Boyd was named second team all-Central Valley after leading the Pirates to a first place finish in league with a 21-7 record. The outfielder helped Modesto JC to the second round of the state playoffs, after finishing the season 30-11. Boyd hit .281 with 41 RBIs, 38 hits, 23 runs, nine doubles and six stolen bases.

Orosco, made 12 appearances on the mound for Skyline in 2006. The 6-foot, right-hander helped the Trojans to a 23-19 record and a 14-11 finish in the North Coast Conference. A San Bruno, Calif., native, Orosco finished the year with a 4-2 record, two saves and a 2.55 ERA while pitching 35.1 innings. Orosco, who redshirted in 2005, also had a stellar year for Skyline as a starter in 2004. The Serra High School graduate went 9-2 for the Trojans with a 2.68 ERA after pitching 94 innings and recording 77 strikeouts.

Stavert, also a right-hander, made 17 appearances in relief for Chabot in 2006. Pitching 18.2 innings, Stavert earned three saves and finished his season with a 1.93 ERA and 21 strikeouts. Stavert joins teammate Tyler Axelrod, who signed with Sacramento State in the fall.

Jinkens is the third high school senior to commit to Sacramento State’s 2007 signing class. At Wheatland, Jinkens finished 2006 with a staff-best 2.93 ERA and 89 strikeouts. At the plate, he was second on the team batting .435 with a team-leading 20 RBIs and four home runs. He also added 15 runs, seven doubles, and a .739 slugging percentage.

Sacramento State just completed it first season as an affiliate member of the WAC advancing the postseason conference tournament. The Hornets’ Buddy Morales and David Flores also received all-league honors.

Sacramento State 2007 Recruiting Class

Name Pos. Hometown/Previous School

Tyler Axelrod RHP Hayward, Calif./Chabot JC

Ryan Blair OF Visalia, Calif./College of Sequoias

Brian Boyd OF Los Banos, Calif./Modesto JC

Eric Diaz RHP Hollister, Calif./Hartnell JC

Jayson Jennings INF Munford, Tenn./Brighton HS

Paul Jinkens RHP Wheatland, Calif./Wheatland HS

Travis Kirkman C Rocklin, Calif./Sierra JC

Alvaro Orosco RHP San Bruno, Calif./Skyline CC

Ryan Stavert RHP Livermore, Calif./Chabot JC

Tim Wheeler INF/OF Sacramento, Calif./El Camino HS