Three players on the John A. Logan College baseball team signed letters of intent this week to continue their collegiate careers on scholarship at a four-year school upon completing their time at Logan next spring. Two of the three – Luke Hileman and Cale Wine – are Southern Illinois natives. The third is from Ohio, Tyler Newhart.

Hileman is an Anna-Jonesboro graduate. He has agreed to play for Indiana State University at Terre Haute. A hard-hitting outfielder, who began his career at Baylor before transferring to Logan this past summer, Hileman figures to be one of the Volunteers’ top hitters this spring and should contend for a starting position with the Sycamores next fall.

“What I like about Indiana State is that it is close to home and is one of the better baseball programs in the Missouri Valley Conference,” Hileman said. “I really like the coaching staff and a new baseball stadium is opening there this spring.”

Hileman said he chose Indiana State over Bradley and Louisiana Monroe.

“I think they’re the best fit for me,” he said. “My main focus right now, though, is helping Logan win. We think we can be a pretty good team next spring.”

The Vols finished 11-2 in the abbreviated fall season.

Hileman, 19, plans to major in secondary education.

“I would like to someday teach social studies and coach,” he said.

Luke is the son of Doug and Beth Hileman.

Wine graduated Coulterville High School. A hard-throwing righthanded pitcher, the sophomore has accepted an offer from Louisiana Monroe University.

“They’re a Division I school that plays in a good conference (Sun Belt),” he said. “My goal is to break into their starting rotation next year.”

Arkansas State and Indiana State had also shown interest in Wine.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity. Ideally, I will pitch well enough there to get drafted by a pro team.”

At Logan, Wine should be one of the go-to guys in the starting rotation for head coach Jerry Halstead.

“I just want to help us win some games next spring. I think we have a chance to be pretty good.”

Cale, 19, is the son of Scott and Marilyn Wine.

Newhart has signed with Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. He transferred to Logan in the late summer from Wright State University. A righthanded pitcher, he blossomed in a summer league and was consistently throwing 90-plus mph. He hopes to build on his success with JALC next spring.

“Coming here to Logan was a great decision and I am hopeful that playing for Lipscomb will work out, too,” Newhart said. “After visiting the campus there, it just felt right for me. I really liked the people. It felt like home.”

With plans to major in business marketing, Newhart said he will try to help lead the Vols to a Great Rivers Athletic Conference and Region 24 title next spring.

“I am going to work hard on my game and help out the younger players where I can,” he said. “I’ve made some good friends here at Logan already and want to finish strong.”

Tyler, 19, is the son of Dave and Kim Newhart.

“As a coach, you are always happy to see someone’s hard work pay off in the form of a scholarship with a four-year school,” said Vols head coach and athletic director Jerry Halstead. “These three young men are now signed and won’t have that on their mind when the spring season gets under way. I am confident that each will make contributions at the next level.”

Halstead said he expects his other sophomore players to sign with four-year schools sometime next spring.