Baseball Signs Six to National Letters of Intent

12/17/2004

Pittsburgh has signed five freshman and one junior college transfer.

PITTSBURGH - University of Pittsburgh baseball coach Joe Jordano has signed six prospects to National Letters of Intent during the fall signing period for the 2005-2006 academic year.

The 2006 newcomers include Brian Muldowney (West Chester, PA/ West Chester East), Morgan Kielty (Burlington, Ontario, CA/ Burlington), Rob Lawler (Rochester, NY/ Greece Olympia), Ryan Dunford (Buffalo, NY/ Bishop Timons), Seth Button (Lackawana, PA / Gloucester College-Elk Lake HS), and Mike Finocchi (Baldwin, Pa /Louisburgh Junior College-Baldwin HS).

Muldowney is a second baseman who is described as a fierce competitor and very versatile. He earned first-team Philadelphia Enquirer All-Area honors. Baseball America ranks Muldowney as one of the top 100 players in the country and the No. 1 player in the state of Pennsylvania. His older brother, Billy, is a pitcher for the Panthers.

Kielty is a left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing catcher. He is described as a tremendous defensive catcher who is very athletic and moves exceptionally well.   Kielty is a member of the Canada Junior National Team and a member of Team Ontario. He was selected as Central Ontario Baseball Associated All-Star. Kielty is ranked the eighth-best Prep player in Canada and the 11th overall professional prospect of Canadian decent by Baseball America.

Lawler, a right-handed hitting shortstop, is described as a tough scrappy player who has a strong arm, great actions on the field, and home run potential. He was selected to participate on the Area Code Team in Long Beach, Calif., by Major League Baseball and selected to compete in the perfect game National event in Jupiter, Fla. Lawyer garnered Western New York Birdeye Player of the year honors.

Dunford, a right-handed pitcher, has an ability to command the strike zone. As a sophomore and junior, Dunford garnered All Western New York honors and All Catholic honors. He led his team in winning the Empire state games in 2003 and 2004, compiling a record of 4-0 in two years.

Button joins the Panthers from Glucester Junior College where he batted .348 with 8 home runs and 67 RBI. He is an outfielder who is described to have big-time power potential due to his outstanding arm his ability to hit homeruns. In 2003, Button was named Lackawana Region Player of the Year. Also in 2003, he was selected in the 50^th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Cleveland Indians.

Pitt?s final commitment came from Finocchi, a right-handed pitcher from Louisburg Junior College. He is expected to be one of the top arms at Louisburg in the spring with his fastball. Finocchi was selected as a Western Pennsylvania Legion All-Star.

Baseball Signs Six to National Letters of Intent

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