EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana baseball team announced the signing of a pair of pitchers – freshman right-hander Ross David (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) and junior right-hander D.J. Smith (Vincennes, Indiana) – to national letters of intent for the 2009 season. David and Smith are the first players to sign with USI baseball and Head Coach Tracy Archuleta this spring.

David will start his collegiate career at USI after playing four seasons at Mt. Vernon High School (Mt. Vernon, Indiana). He was the MVHS Pitcher of the Year as a senior after going 8-1 with a 1.30 ERA.

The All-Big Eight Conference and North/South All-Star nominee also had 89 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings of work.

Smith comes to USI after two years at Olney Central College (Olney, Illinois). He had a two-year record at OCC of 7-2 with 62 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings pitched. Smith also had a 3.47 ERA in helping lead OCC to a 32-14 record in 2008.

Prior to playing for OCC, Smith lettered in baseball, basketball, and football at Lincoln High School in Vincennes, Indiana.

"I am excited to announce the addition of two quality pitchers to our staff," said Archuleta. "Ross and D.J. are hard throwing right-handers that are a great additions to our staff. They will be relied upon to help replace the innings from the three departing hurlers."

The Screaming Eagles finished the season with a 36-20 overall record and the GLVC West Division championship with a 24-7 mark. The GLVC regular season title was USI's first since the 1993 season.

The 36 victories are tied for third all-time at USI for wins in a regular season. The Eagles had a team-best 38 regular season wins during 1992 and 1993, while reaching 36 victories during last year's regular season schedule.