Turner Fritts becomes the 10th Missouri Bull player to sign to play baseball at Southeast Missouri State in the programs 8 years.  The 4 year varsity player from Poplar Bluff becomes the 3rd Mule to sign with the Redhawks, following in the footsteps of Wesley Pyles (13') and Kameron Misner (16').  "It's a dream come true to be able to play close to home", said Fritts.  

Fritts,a 4 year starter for the Mules, earned All District and All Conference honors last season as a junior.  He enters his senior season with a career .315 batting average and defensively is one of the best infielders in the area.  "We have a great chance to go far this year and I'm looking forward to playing my senior season with no pressure now that I've signed", said Turner.

"Having the opportunity to play at Southeast Missouri State is a big deal for me and my family because my parents love attending my games.  Playing college baseball close to home means they have the same opportunity as they've had all my life", said a smiling Fritts.  

Turner played last summer for the Bulls between his sophmore and junior year at Bluff.  The Missouri Bulls 17u team was very talented and played in some very good events against some very good competition, most with college scouts in the stands.  "My experience with the Missouri Bulls was awesome.  I had great teammates and we were very competitive but we had a lot of fun.  We played in front of a lot of college coaches on some great college fields.  Without the exposure I got last summer, I'm not sure I would be putting on a Redhawks jersey next fall", Fritts said.

Todd Pennington has known Turner for quite a few years and after coaching him last summer knew colleges would be all over him.  "He can really swing the bat.  If you can hit you can play at the D1 level.  Southeast and Coach Sawyers got themselves a great kid', Coach Pennington said.

Fritts had quite a few schools reaching out but the decision was pretty easy after one visit to SEMO.  "None of the colleges I visited made me feel like the coaching staff here at Southeast.  It made my decision easy.  I just want to say thank you to my parents, family and all the coaches and players who helped me and pushed me to make my dream of playing college baseball a reality", Fritts said.