Dec. 10, 2008

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -

Dec. 9, 2008

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Head coach Robbie Wine announced, Tuesday, that nine student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Penn State baseball team. The Nittany Lions signed three of the top prospects from the state of Pennsylvania, along with top recruits from Florida, Georgia, New Jersey and Texas. The incoming class consists of five pitchers and four position players, all of who will join the Nittany Lions in the fall of 2009.

The five high school players to don blue and white next year include Neal Herring (Malvern, Pa./West Chester East), Luis Montesinos (Miami, Fla./Miami Palmetto), Renny Parthemore (New Cumberland, Pa./Cedar Cliff), Steve Snyder (Malvern, Pa./West Chester East) and Johnny Walter (Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield Memorial). Four players are transferring to University Park, consisting of Mario Eramo (Houston, Texas/Blinn College), Heath Johnson (Alamogordo, N.M./Frank Phillips College), Brett Kinsel (Baytown, Texas/Alvin College) and CJ Smith (Temple, Ga./Young Harris College).

"We are very pleased with this year's recruiting class," Wine said. "We feel the players we have signed are going to be excellent additions to our program both on and off the field."

Herring and Snyder hail from West Chester East High School, which has been a premiere hotspot for the Penn State baseball team in past years. Currently, the Nittany Lions have three former Vikings on their roster - Brett DiFelice, David Lutz and Bobby Jacobs.

"Our staff has accomplished our goal of signing the best players from around the country who will help us achieve our short- and long-term goals," Wine proclaimed. "Each player brings something that we are going to need next year, whether it's a bat in the middle of the lineup or a pitcher in our rotation. Equally important, they're all strong character guys who come from good families."

Penn State brings in CJ Smith, one of many players from Young Harris College to journey to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. On its current roster, Wine's squad consists of two players, Michael Glantz and Mike Deese, from the Georgia baseball breeding ground that has produced Major League talent, such as the Baltimore Orioles' Nick Markakis.

"Throughout the early signing period, we were able to address many of our needs for next year and we will continue to piece together the 2010 class as we move into spring."

Kinsel joins former junior college teammate Blake Lynd on the Nittany Lions' roster. Kinsel and Lynd played together at Alvin Community College in Texas.

"With so many graduating seniors this year, we are very excited about the immediate impact these players are capable of having on our club. Once again, [assistant coaches] Eric Folmar and Jason Bell have done a great job of assembling a group of talented players who will contribute to our program's success. We are thrilled to have these student-athletes join the Penn State family."

The Nittany Lions open their 2009 season February 20-22 in St. Petersburg, Fla. at the inaugural Big Ten/Big East Challenge against St. John's, the reigning Big East champion, Northwestern and Seton Hall. Penn State plays its first home series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on March 20-22 when it hosts New York Tech.

Neal Herring - West Chester East High School - RHP, 6'2/200

• Four-year letter winner in baseball

• Went 5-2 with a 2.15 ERA and two complete games his junior year

• Voted 2008 West Chester East Most Valuable Pitcher

Also recruited by: Michigan, Maryland, Villanova

"Neal is an intelligent pitcher, who has a good idea of what he is doing on the mound. He shows good command of all his pitches, and we are confident he has a bright future here at Penn State."

Luis Montesinos - Miami Palmetto Senior High School - MIF, 5'11/185

• Three-year baseball letter winner and two year team captain

• Selected 1st Team All-County and All-State Honorable Mention his junior year

• Hit .418 with 4 HR, voted team MVP as a junior

• Helped lead his team to district runner-up and to the regional semi-finals

Also recruited by: Central Florida, St. Louis, Tulane

"Luis has great passion for the game. He is athletic, shows good arm strength, and we feel he has a chance to be an offensive threat at the plate as well."

Renny Parthemore - Cedar Cliff High School - RHP, 6'5/200

• Three-year baseball letter winner and three sport athlete.

• Also lettered in soccer, football, and basketball

• Went 5-2 with 78 strikeouts in 62 innings his junior year

• Played under current Penn State assistant coach Will Hoover at Cedar Cliff HS in 2008

Also recruited by: Michigan, Miami, Rice

"Renny has a strong arm and tremendous upside. We feel he has a chance to be an outstanding pitcher for us and will continue to get better over the course of his career."

Steve Snyder - West Chester East High School - CF, 5'10/165

• Four-year baseball letter winner and voted team captain as a junior and senior

• As a junior was selected First-Team all Ches-Mont and First-Team All-Area

• Voted 2008 West Chester East Offensive MVP

Also recruited by: College of Charleston, Boston College, Pitt, Villanova, William & Mary

"We like the energy Steve brings to field everyday. He has the ability to cover a lot of ground in the outfield and will put pressure on defenses with his speed."

Johnny Walter - Haddonfield Memorial High School - RHP, 6'5/200

• Three-year baseball letter winner

• As a junior was selected All-Colonial Conference

• A third-generation Penn Stater. Son of John Walter, former Nittany Lion Football player 1981-1985 and Bonnie Walter, former field hockey player 1982-1986

Also recruited by: Pepperdine, Seton Hall, Columbia

"Johnny is another young pitcher with a good arm who we feel has the ability to help the program. We are excited he will be able to continue the legacy of Penn State athletes in his family."

Mario Eramo - Blinn College - C/UTL, 6'0/210

• Participated in the Texas Junior College All-Star Game in the fall of 2008

• Hit .316 with 5 HR and 38 RBI in 2007 as a freshmen

• Voted team captain for the spring 2009

Also recruited by: Sam Houston State

"Mario is a middle of the order type hitter who will bring power to our lineup. We like his defensive versatility because he can play several positions on the field."

Heath Johnson - Frank Phillips College - OF, 6'0/170

• Participated in the Texas Junior College All-Star Game in the fall of 2008

• Voted Frank Phillips College Newcomer of the Year in 2008

• Hit .349 with 4 HR and 49 RBI

"Heath is a very athletic outfielder who runs and throws well. We look for him to come in and make an immediate impact in our lineup."

Brett Kinsel - Alvin Community College - RHP, 5'11/180

• Participated in the Texas Junior College All-Star Game in the fall of 2008

• Helped lead Alvin to a 5th place finish in the 2008 JUCO College World Series

• Led his team in appearances and totaled 68 innings with a 3.12 ERA

• Teammate of current Penn State player Blake Lynd at Alvin CC in 2008

Also recruited by: LSU, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, Houston

"Brett comes from a proven program that played in the JUCO World Series last year. He knows how to win and we anticipate he will play a large role on pitching staff next year."

CJ Smith - Young Harris College - RHP, 6'2/180

• Voted Conference Closer of the Year in 2008

• Set school-record with 7 saves; compiled a 2-2 record in 35 innings with a 2.30 ERA

• Helped lead his team to 50-12 record and Conference Championship in 2008

• Played at the same junior college as current Penn State infielders Michael Deese and Michael Glantz

Also recruited by: UAB, Appalachian State

"Like Brett, CJ comes from another established junior college program. He will be counted on to play a pivotal role on next year's staff."