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Posted on Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 4:42 p.m.

New Michigan baseball coach adds state's Mr. Baseball as his first recruit

By Rich Rezler

New Michigan baseball coach Erik Bakich added his first recruit on Thursday when Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett pitcher Alex Daar, the state's co-Mr. Baseball, signed with the Wolverines.

"We are thrilled to add Alex to this year's recruiting class," Bakich said in a statement. "He had a tremendous amount of success on the field this year and is very deserving of the Mr. Baseball award. We look forward to his contributions as a pitcher in maize and blue."

Daar had a 28-3 record over the past two seasons for University Liggett, which won a Division 4 state title in 2011 and was runner-up in 2012.

Daar_MLive.jpg

Alex Daar pitches at the MHSBCA East-West All-Star game at Comerica Park in June. Michigan announced Thursday it has added the state's co-Mr. Baseball to its 2012 recruiting class.

Jared Purcell | MLive.com

As a senior, Daar threw three no-hitters, finished with a 0.50 ERA and struck out 161 batters in 98 innings. After receiving his Mr. Baseball Award in late June, Daar told MLive.com that his recruitment was still wide open.

"I'm undecided right now," Daar said at the at the MHSBCA East-West All-Star game at Comerica Park on June 27. "I've got a lot of colleges to think about. I should be making my decision soon. There is nothing clear right now."

That same day, Michigan announced it was hiring Bakich.

Daar joins a nine-player recruiting class signed by former coach Rich Maloney and his staff.

A university spokesperson said no members of the class asked to be released from their letters of intent after the coaching change, although one recruit -- infielder Kevin Ross from Skokie, Ill. -- could still opt to play professionally.

An eighth-round Major League Baseball draft selection by Pittsburgh, Ross has until Sunday to decide between attending college or playing for the Pirates' organization.

“If I get the money that I want, I will be playing for (the Pirates) for sure,” he told the Lincolnwood Review last week.

Michigan's 2012 class includes Travis Maezes of Pioneer High School. A shortstop for the Pioneers, Maezes is listed as an infield and outfield recruit by Michigan.

Other recruits include pitchers Jake Balicki (Birmingham Groves), Tim Shannon (Hopkins, Minn.), Evan Hill (Mount Pleasant), Daniel McKinney (Bowling Green, Ohio) and Cam Wysocki (Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern); outfielder Jacob Cronenworth (St. Clair) and infielder Matthew Dacey (Wyckoff, N.J.)

Comments

Raoul

Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.

"Ross has until Sunday to decide between attending college or playing for the Pirates' organization." The deadline for players to sign is actually 5 p.m. ET today. See http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/important_dates.jsp.