NEWARK, Del. - Nine standout student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent with the University of Delaware baseball program as part of the early-signing period, head coach Jim Sherman (at right) announced today.

The athletes will begin competing for the Blue Hens in 2010. Among those signing with the team are four Delaware products, two junior college transfers, an All-American, and the son of a former Blue Hen star on the 1970 College World Series team.

Eric Buckland (Millsboro, Del. / Caravel Academy) has been rated as one of the top players in the country and has earned All-State honors during the last two seasons. Last year, he participated in the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars as well as the Perfect Game National Showcase. Rated as a Top-300 recruit in the 2009 class by Perfect Game and Baseball America, he earned 2008 All-American honors from both Under Armour and Louisville Slugger.

In 2008, he posted a 7-3 record and 0.94 ERA on the mound, while he hit .491 as a utility player. During his sophomore campaign, he posted a perfect 11-0 record to go along with a 0.64 ERA and a .424 batting average. He also was selected to the 2007 AFLAC-PG Future Stars Game and was a member of the USA Baseball National Youth Team.

“This is a very exciting sign for us,” said Sherman. “Eric had interest from ACC and SEC programs but chose to come to Delaware. We've always prided ourselves in trying to get the best players in the state every year, and Eric is definitely one of those players. He will make an immediate impact on the mound as well as be a legitimate power hitter. We are looking for Eric and (current freshman) Rich O'Donald to anchor our pitching staff for years to come.”

Brandon Hinkle (Lancaster, Pa. / Hempfield) has been a standout southpaw throughout his high school career. Voted the team’s Most Outstanding Pitcher during each of the last two seasons, he also fired two no-hitters and was the Rookie of the Year in 2007. Over the past two years, he has posted a combined 14-2 record while striking out 146 in 86.2 innings of work. Last year, he posted a 1.59 ERA and .164 batting-average-against.

“Brandon is a pitcher in the truest sense of the word,” said Sherman. “He has a great feel for what he is doing and knows how to get hitters out. Brandon has a great arsenal of pitches, including one of the best curveballs I have seen in quite some time. It will be interesting to watch his development over the next few years.”

Chris Branigan (Voorhees, N.J. / Bishop Eustice Prep) has been a star left-handed pitcher and first baseman and has garnered All-Conference accolades for his success on the field. A Carpenter Cup All-Star, he clubbed 12 extra-base hits in 2008, including five home runs. On the mound, he posted a 5-2 record with two saves while striking out 60 in 42 innings of work.

“Chris is another young man who we are looking to be a dual threat,” said Sherman. “He is a left-handed hitter with a great stroke and good pop. He is also an excellent defensive first baseman. On the mound, Chris is an imposing presence and has that bulldog mentality. He has a great fastball along with an outstanding slider. We are very excited about his potential.”

D.J. Long (Millsboro, Del. / Sussex Central) has been a perennial member of the All-State and All-Conference teams as well as a three-time participant in the Carpenter Cup. Last year, he earned second-team All-State honors and was named the Henlopen Conference Player of the Year while hitting .405. As a sophomore, the standout shortstop hit .498 after posting a .458 batting average as a freshman.

“D.J. is another local product that we are very excited about having in the program,” said Sherman. “He will bring a lot of excitement to Delaware baseball because of the high energy he plays with. D.J. is an extremely athletic young man who knows how to play the game both offensively and defensively. We expect him to have a very successful career here at Delaware.”

Hank Yates (Phoenix, Ariz. / Arcadia) has been an exceptional infielder, both offensively and defensively, throughout his high school career. As a third baseman last year, he hit .438, scored 46 runs, knocked in 20 more, and posted 20 extra-base hits in 33 games. Over the summer, he played second base for the All-Star Baseball Academy and qualified for the Mickey Mantle and Connie Mack World Series. During that span, he hit .475 and led the team in runs, steals, and extra-base hits while not committing a single error in the field.

“Hank has the potential to be a true five-tool player,” said Sherman. “He does everything very well and has outstanding speed. Hank's athleticism will allow him to play anywhere on the field, and we are very fortunate to have a young man of his caliber in our program. Hank's father, Dave, is also an alumnus of the University of Delaware and was a great player who anchored the 1970 College World Series squad.”

David Angebranndt (Ewing, N.J. / Mercer County Community College) has been a continual force both in the batter's box and behind the plate. A standout catcher, he was named to the 2008 first-team All-Region 19 squad while hitting .339 with nine extra-base hits and 23 RBI. Utilizing a strong and accurate arm, he also gunned down 85 percent of would-be base stealers during the season.

“David is exactly what you look for in a catcher,” said Sherman. “He is very good with his catching and throwing, he brings a great level of energy behind the plate, and he has a great knowledge of the game.”

Corey Jefferson (Wilmington, Del. / Archmere Academy) has been an All-Conference catcher throughout his prep career. As a junior, he earned All-State honors and was named the Conference Player of the Year while hitting .489 with four home runs and 21 RBI. A Preseason All-American nominee, he also was an All-State selection as a sophomore after hitting .508 with three homers and 25 RBI. In 2006, he finished his first season with a .360 batting average, two home runs, and 23 RBI.

“Corey is another local product that we've had our eye on for quite some time,” said Sherman. “He has been one of the state's top hitters the last couple of years, and his power potential will be exciting to watch.”

Zach Speece (Palmyra, Pa. / Palmyra Area) has been a three-time participant in the Keystone State Games as a standout infielder. Last season, he was named the top infielder at the Mid-Atlantic High School Classic and was a first-team All-Lebanon County Selection. A former Mid-Penn Division All-Star, he also was a member of the Junior Olympic Team East in Jupiter, Florida in 2007.

“Zach is another high energy player that plays the game very hard,” said Sherman. “He has an outstanding glove and is a switch hitter who hits just as good from either side of the plate. We are excited about his potential and feel that he will be a major contributor both offensively and defensively.”

Chad Jenkins (Newark, Del. / Cecil County Community College) was a pitcher for two years at Coastal Carolina where he spent his first season as a redshirt and made two appearances in 2007. A former All-State selection at Caravel Academy and 44th round selection of the Washington Nationals in 2006, he will begin his first season at Cecil County Community College in the spring.

“Chad is a JUCO transfer who is originally from this area,” said Sherman. “He has an outstanding change-up which compliments his fastball. We are projecting Chad to step in and be a weekend starter for us and make an immediate impact.”