Baseball | 12/3/2015 8:45:00 AM

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University baseball program and head coach Ryan Kelley have signed five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.  The group includes Hunter Brown (St. Clair, Mich. / Lakeview), Thomas Eidens (Blacklick, Ohio / Lincoln), Richard Hovde (Saline, Mich. / Saline), Dillon McInerny (Richmond, Mich. / Richmond / St. Clair County CC) and Josh Nelson (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Saline).  In addition, WSU also will add Brendan Bilkovic (West Bloomfield, Mich. / West Bloomfield) via a letter of commitment.

"We are excited about this recruiting class during the early signing period," said Kelley. "Our recruiting coordinator Aaron Hepner and coaching staff put in a lot of time and miles during the previous high school, summer and fall seasons. Each of these young men will step in and help our team both academically and athletically as we continue to strive for success and better the culture of the Wayne State University Baseball program."

HUNTER BROWN
6-2/200 |  Right-Handed Pitcher/Catcher  |  Right/Right
St. Clair, Mich. / Lakeview High School

High School:  A 2016 graduate of Lakeview High School ... a team captain and a four-year letterwinner for the Huskies and head coach Scott McGregor ...hit .408 with 29 RBI and posted a 1.35 ERA in 35 innings while striking out 47 batters in 2015 ... as a sophomore in 2014, hit .266 with 14 RBI and threw 30 innings while collecting a 4.57 ERA and 25 punch outs ...was a First Team All-League catcher and an an All-District selection as a utility player ... was named team's offensive MVP as a senior ... also lettered in wrestling on 2013.

Personal:  Full name--Hunter N. Brown ... born on August 29, 1998 in Detroit ... son of Kevin and Kimberly Brown ... has three sisters, Madison, Morgan and Taylor ... major is undecided.

Coach Kelley's Thoughts: "Hunter demonstrated impressive ability on the mound when we evaluated him during the recruiting process. Plus, he has been coached by former Warrior Cameron Walker and we respect the work Head Coach Scott McGregor is doing at Lakeview."

THOMAS EIDENS
6-6/195  |  Right-Handed Pitcher  |  Right/Right
Blacklick, Ohio / Lincoln High School

High School:  A 2016 graduate from Gahanna Lincoln High School ... was a four-year letterwinner and head coach Mike Shade.

Personal:  Full name--Thomas B. Eidens ... born on April 30, 1998 ... son of Dana and Shari Eidens ... major is undecided ... has one brother, Tim Eidens plays baseball at Ohio Dominican.

Coach Kelley's Thoughts:  "We are excited about Tom's hunger to become a WSU Baseball student-athlete. Combining his tall frame, tempo and pitch ability we are eager to get started with him next fall on the mound. He is in great hands with Coach Hull at his high school and Ohio Warhawks summer program. We are excited to see him excel this senior year!"

RICHARD HOVDE
5-11/185  |  Right-Handed Pitcher  |  Right/Right
Saline, Mich. / Saline High School

High School:  A 2016 graduate of Saline High School ... was a three-year varsity letterwinner for the Hornets and head coach Scott Theisen ... helped SHS to a 32-8 record in 2014 including a league and regional championship ... also led SHS to a 35-2 record and a league title in 2015 ... also was a three-year letterwinner in football ... was an honors student, carrying a 3.3 GPA.

Personal:  Full name--Richard J. Hovde ... born on July 13, 1998 ... son of Greg and Laura Hovde ... has one brother, Thomas and one sister Brianne ... majoring in business ... uncle, Richard Hewlett played football at Michigan (1979-83).

Coach Kelley's Thoughts:  "Richard has demonstrated the ability to throw the baseball with authority. Coming from a successful Saline program we are excited to witness his senior year progress under Coach Welton on the mound. Plus, coming from the Hit Dogs summer organization under the direction of Coach Salter was a significant aspect through the recruiting process."

DILLON MCINERNY
6-2/220  |  Right-Handed Pitcher/Corner Infielder  |  Right/Right
Richmond, Mich. / Richmond High School (St. Clair County Community College)

2016:  Will play for St. Clair County CC in the spring of 2016.

High School:  A 2015 graduate of Richmond High School ... a four-year letterwinner and two-time team captain for the Blue Devils and head coach Scott Evans ... helped RHS to four league titles ... hit .479 and posted 0.84 ERA as senior ... as junior, he hit .381 with a 1.41 ERA and finished with a .296 batting average and a 2.20 ERA as a sophomore ... hit .345 with a 1.96 ERA as a freshman ... a four-time selection to the All-Academic Team (2012-15), carrying a 3.5 GPA and First Team All-State pitcher in 2014 and 2015 ... was on the 2014 All-State Dream Team ... voted to the All-Macomb County Team in 2013, 2014 and 2015 ... a First Team All-Conference honoree and an All-Region selection in 2014 and 2015 ... a four-time All-District pitcher (2012-15) ... as a senior, he was named the Blue Water Area Conference MVP and Macomb County Player of the Year ... also earned his team's Pitcher and Player of the Year awards in 2015 ... also was a two-time captain and letterwinner in basketball.

Personal:  Full name--Dillon M. McInerny .... born on May 21, 1997 ... son of David and Heather McInerny ... has two brothers, Blake and Brett and one sister, Brooke ... is a pre-dental major.

Coach Kelley's Thoughts:  "Dillon had a strong high school career under Scott Evans at Richmond HS and currently is with Coach Scott Tesluck via SC4 and the East Coast Michigan program. He has the ability to compete on the mound and as a corner infielder. We are impressed by his competitiveness and team first approach."

JOSH NELSON
5-10/170  |  Shortstop/Right-Handed Pitcher  |  Right/Right
Ann Arbor, Mich. / Saline High School

High School:  A 2016 graduate from Saline High School ... was a two-year letterwinner for the Hornets and head coach Scott Theisen ... helped Saline to a 32-3 record and a conference title plus a regional runner-up finish in 2014 as he hit .481 and posted a 0.00 ERA ... hit .441 and went 5-1 with a 1.08 ERA for his travel team, the Michigan Blue Jays.

Personal:  Full name--Joshua P. Nelson ... born on Jan. 7, 1999 ... son of Patrick Nelson and Trachette Jackson ... has one brother, Noah ... majoring in medicine with a minor in psychology ... great grandfather played in the Negro League.

Coach Kelley's Thoughts:  "A product of a talented Saline HS program under Coach Theisen, Josh will have opportunities to compete on the mound and as a position player at WSU. We are excited about his potential athletically and academically."

BRENDAN BILKOVIC
6-1/155  |  Right-Handed Pitcher/Outfielder  |  Right/Right
West Bloomfield, Mich. / West Bloomfield High School

High School: A 2016 graduate of West Bloomfield High School ... a two-year varsity member and team captain for the Lakers and head coach Eric Pierce ... helped WBHS to a 24-11 overall record and a OAA league title and a district championship ... hit .290 with a .485 on-base percentage in 2015 ... was a key part of the district title game as he threw out a runner at home from right field to preserve a 1-0 lead with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning ... a member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Full name--Brendan E. Bilkovic ... born on July 20, 1997 ... son of Mark and Kim Bilkovic ... is undecided on major ...brother Christian was a four-year letterwinner (2011-15) for the Warriors.

Coach Kelley's Thoughts:  "Brendan's versatility on the mound via different arm slots will give him an early opportunity to get outs. Plus, he can add depth as an outfielder. His work ethic and hunger to continue to improve earned our respect during the recruiting process. Plus, the work he puts in on and off the field with Coach Chuck VanRobays is impressive."