Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Baseball	SIUE Baseball SIUE Athletics

July 11, 2006 SIUE Baseball Inks Two South Suburban Standouts         (EDWARDSVILLE, IL.) The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville baseball team has added Ben Bartley (Griffith, Ind.) and Jim Kulovitz (Cicero) for the 2007 roster.         Bartley and Kulovitz played for South Suburban College last season, leading the Bulldogs to an NJCAA Division I Region IV Championship. Both Bartley and Kulovitz were picked at All-Region IV First Team selections in 2006.         "They helped lead their team to 50 wins," said SIUE assistant baseball coach Tony Stoecklin. "We expect them to come in and help out the middle of our lineup."         Bartley, a third baseman, held a .382 batting average with 12 home runs, 63 RBIs, 20 doubles, four triples and a .933 fielding percentage in 2006. Before attending South Suburban, Bartley played for Griffith High School.         "Ben has great hands," said Stoecklin. "He likes to hit in the clutch. He had a lot of big RBIs last season."         Kulovitz, who played for Joliet Catholic High School, hit .443 with 10 home runs, 71 RBIs, 90 hits, and 12 doubles last season.         "Jim is going to be a designated hitter and play a little first base," said Stoecklin. "He has the potential for a lot of home runs and RBIs."         The Cougars are coming off their fourth 40-win season in school history. It was SIUE's best finish, at 40-19-1, since the 2001 season. SIUE advanced to the NCAA Tournament and was the final Great Lakes Valley Conference team standing in the championships.                 -siue cougars-