Bruins sign pair from Neosho County CC

The Bellevue University baseball team under head coach Duane Monlux has added a pair of right-handed pitchers from Neosho County Community College to the 2012-13 recruiting class. The newest Bruins are Michael Kirkland (Sand Springs, Okla./NCCC/Charles Page HS) and Kenny McKee (Sapulpa, Okla./NCCC/Sapulpa HS). 

Kirkland amassed a 2-1 record during the 2011 season, appearing in nine games in relief, finishing with 13 strikeouts, seven walks and a 4.54 ERA in 12.1 innings pitched.

McKee pitched in eight games during the 2012 season, going 1-0 with one save, while recording 11 strikeouts, eight walks and a 3.60 ERA.

Kirkland and McKee helped lead NCCC to an appearance in the 2012 NJCAA Division I World Series, finishing the season with a 49-16 record and a No. 5 final national ranking. 

"We are very happy to have signed both Michael and Kenny," said Monlux. "Both filled bullpen roles for a very good Neosho County Community College team that was very deep in their pitching staff. They both gained experience at the national level as they both pitched at the NJCAA Division I World Series this past spring. We expect their veteran college experience to help us here at Bellevue this upcoming season."

Kirkland and McKee join earlier signees Chandler McLaren (Guelph, Ontario/Douglas College/GCVI), Sean Felt (Ralston, Neb./Reinhardt/Fort Scott CC/Ralston HS), Devin Ferguson (Lacey, Wash./Centralia/North Thurston HS), Nate Mullins (Snohomish, Wash./Everett CC/Snohomish HS), Brian Embery (Emporia, Kan./Wayland Baptist/Lower Columbia/Auburn HS) and Kyle Kinman (Omaha, Neb./Butler CC/Northwest HS) in the latest recruiting class.

The 2012 Bruins finished with a 40-21 overall record, winning the MCAC regular season with a 17-3 mark, advancing the NAIA National Tournament for the second-straight year.