BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Union College completed one of its best seasons in program history, and head coach Bart Osborne is already looking to reload for 2008 as Drew Chamberlain of Cumberland, Ky., recently signed on for next season.

Chamberlain, a left-hander, burst onto the scene in 2005 as a sophomore. After Cumberland High started the season 0-7, Chamberlain emerged as the team’s ace, compiling a 7-4 record and leading Cumberland to the 52nd District title and the 13th Region semifinals and earning player of the year honors in the process.

“I had a visit over there, and the campus is real nice,” Chamberlain said. “They had a couple of players I’ve played with, and it seemed like a good fit. The coaches are real nice and real knowledgeable.”

What Chamberlain lacks in size and velocity, he makes up for in  finesse and stamina.

Union coach Bart Osborne noted that adding a little size and strength will be a key to the southpaw’s college success.

“Our pitching coach, Adam Hines, had the opportunity to go and watch him,” he said. “He really feels like he’s going to be someone who can come in and make an immediate impact. Good, quality left-handed pitching can be hard to find, so I think Drew’s got the potential tobe a really fine college pitcher.

“We project, and Drew’s going to be projectable. He only weighs about 155 pounds, and I promised (his father) that he’ll be back by Christmas about 165. It’s going to be a strength issue.”

“I tried to (add weight) over the summer, but I didn’t have a good weight program,” Chamberlain said. “I spoke to their weight trainer, and he seems to know what he’s talking about.”

Chamberlain plans to major in secondary education and hopes to become a high school teacher and baseball coach.By adding some velocity, however, Chamberlain could have the potential to fill a niche as a pitcher beyond the college ranks, where left-handers are still hard to come by.

“I’ve always dreamed about it. Any kid who plays baseball dreams about it,” he said. “It’s not very realistic, but if I got the opportunity, of course I’d try it.”

Union has made significant recruiting inroads in recent years. Cory Estep, who graduated from Cawood in 2006, redshirted at Union this season, and former Cawood pitcher Greg Bruce graduated from Union in 2005 as the school’s all-time saves leader.

The Bulldogs  finished 46-17 in 2007, their third consecutive 40-win season, and won the regional for the first time in school history.

Story by Jarrod Sherman of the Harlan Daily Enterprise