Arnett, McMurran join Miners

MARION — The Southern Illinois Miners have signed third baseman/outfielder Brad Arnett and right handed pitcher Jake McMurran for the 2008 season.

Both Arnett and McMurran played their college ball at Missouri Baptist University and spent the summer of 2007 playing for the NBC World Series Champion Havasu Heat. Two of their teammates on the Heat were current Miners Drew Moffit and Nick Starnes.

Arnett hit .520 with an .840 slugging percentage to win MVP honors in the NBC World Series. With the Heat in 2007, Arnett hit .432 overall with 15 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 10 stolen bases. He was an all-American at MBU where he hit .373 with five home runs his senior season.


“Everyone I have spoken to has told me that Brad can just flat swing the bat,” Miners manger Mike Pinto said. “He has hit successfully everywhere he has played, and we are glad to add him to the Miners this season.”

McMurran went 4-0 with a 1.98 ERA with his submarine delivery with the Heat. He struck out 41 batters while walking only nine and holding opponents to a .172 batting average.

As a closer at MBU he went 4-2 with four saves in 13 games in 2007. While in college he earned all-America and all-conference honors in the American Midwest Conference.



“The scouting report on Jake is he is a hard thrower from down under,” Pinto said. “He lives on the inner half of the plate and is a flat out competitor. We will most likely use him in the latter part of the ballgame to complement Travis (Hope).”

The Miners have now announced the signing of four players this month including pitchers Jon Bjelland and Nick Starnes last week.