Aug. 26, 2004

Champaign, Ill. - University of Illinois head baseball coach Richard "Itch" Jones announced the addition of one more student-athlete to his 2004-05 recruiting class Thursday. Outfielder Chase Kliment (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek/Pepperdine), a young right-handed hitter with good power, will join eight other Illini newcomers on the field this spring. "Chase will be a nice addition to this year's squad and will be competing for time in the outfield," said Jones of the newest Illini. "He has tremendous power and we hope that he can provide some pop to our line-up." Chase Kliment
Sophomore • OF • 6-0 • 200 • R/R • Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek/Pepperdine
Notes: Comes to Illinois after two years at Pepperdine University ... Redshirted the 2002-03 season due to injury ... Saw limited action in 2003-04 because of injury, appearing in only 10 games ... Hit two home runs in 14 at-bats in 2004 for a .643 slugging percentage ... Started two games at designated hitter for the Waves in 2004 ... Led Cherry Creek (Colo.) Connie Mack summer team in batting average, RBI, on-base percentage and slugging percentage ... Played on the USA Junior Olympic Team in Tucson, Ariz ... Will utilize his explosive bat in competing for playing time in the outfield and at designated hitter.