The University of Southern Indiana baseball team announced the signing of Dan Caudle to a letter of intent for the 2001-02 season.

Caudle, a native of Dyer, Indiana, is in his senior season at Lake Central High School in St. John, Indiana. He has a .415 batting average (34-82) in 25 games this season, along with 37 RBIs, 14 doubles, a .505 on-base percentage, and a .622 slugging percentage.

The first baseman also has a 1.000 fielding percentage in 185 chances in the field.

"Dan has been our most consistent clutch hitter this season," said LCHS Head Coach Todd Iwema. "I think he has become a leader this past year, displaying this on the field. Dan is an outstanding defensive player, which goes unnoticed by many people watching the game because of his offensive abilities."

LCHS, currently ranked fourth in 4A with a 19-7 record, will play Gary Wallace High School in the Merrillville Sectional on Memorial Day (Monday, May 28).

USI Head Coach Mike Goedde said, "Dan will help us fill a major void at first base. Injuries and the graduation of Aaron Piening created the opportunity for a top player like Dan to step into fire immediately."

The Screaming Eagles, which graduated six players this season, was second in the South Division of the Great Lakes Valley Conference with a 15-12 record. USI advanced to the GLVC Tournament in 2001, placing fourth. The GLVC is the only league in the NCAA Division II that requires wooden-bat use during conference games and has sent a team to the Division II Championships series each of the last three seasons.

Of the players graduating, the Eagles lost three starting pitchers, a first baseman/starting pitcher, and two catchers.