JOLIET, Ill. --- University of St. Francis newly-appointed head baseball coach Brian Michalak has announced the signing of Guerin Prep High School’s Connor Hudson (Forest Park, Ill.) to a letter of intent to attend the Joliet-based school.

Hudson, a pitcher/infielder, went 5-4 with a 2.10 earned run average this past year on the mound, where he struck out 53 in 63 innings.  At the plate, he hit .350.

“Connor is a knuckleball pitcher who had a solid senior season both as a pitcher and at the plate,” said Michalak.  “He will primarily be used as a pitcher, but could see some time on the left side of the infield.”

Hudson served as a team captain this past spring and also was an academic all-Suburban Christian Gold Conference selection in soccer his junior year.

He plans on majoring in either criminal justice or psychology.

St. Francis advanced to the semifinal round of the NAIA National Championship Opening Round for the second year in a row this past spring after capturing the 2011 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament and placing second during the league’s regular season.  The Saints went 41-14 on the year.