Van Horn signs junior college infielder

Lincoln -- Nebraska Head Baseball Coach Dave Van Horn announced Friday that infielder Josh Hesse of Meridian Community College of Meridian, Miss., has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Nebraska and play baseball for the Huskers next season.

Hesse (pronounced HESS-ee), a 5-11, 175-pound second baseman, is a 1997 graduate of Omaha Millard North and joins the NU baseball team after leading the Eagles to postseason play the past two seasons. Meridian advanced to the NJCAA regional tournament this past spring and finished with a 37-18 record. The Eagles qualified for the Junior College World Series in 1998. According to Van Horn, Hesse could play third base, shortstop or second base for the Huskers.

A two-time Miss-Lou all-conference second baseman, Hesse hit .330 this past season with five home runs in the two-spot. As a freshman, he batted .350 and belted seven homers.

Van Horn said he is excited about adding the Omaha native to the Husker roster.

"Josh is an outstanding defensive player and has had a lot of success offensively," Van Horn said. "He hit in the two hole for Meridian and I can see him doing the same for us. I think he'll fit right in with our program. He's a smart player and he can do a lot of the little things that we ask of our players."

Hesse, who chose Nebraska over Southern Mississippi and Northeast Louisiana, said he is excited to return to his home state.

"I like the coaches and how they have turned the program around," Hesse said. "It's great to come home and get a chance to defend the Big 12 title."

During Hesse's career at Omaha Millard North, he was named first-team all-state by the Omaha World-Herald as a senior and collected all-metro and all-division honors as well while playing for coach Ron Johnette. He played Legion baseball for Black Stone of Omaha. He is the son of Debra and Richard. He has a brother, Chris, 24 and two sisters Jacque, 20 (his twin) and Andrea, 18.