Dixie State Baseball Signs Yuto Kata and Cedric Johnson

SAINT GEORGE, UT – November 18, 2010- Dixie State College Head Baseball Coach Mike Littlewood announced the signing of two players to National Letter of Intents during the recent early signing period. Coach Littlewood inked Cedric Johnson from Thatcher, AZ and Yuto Kata from Sandy, UT. Both will join the Dixie State squad in the Fall of 2011.

Cedric Johnson: Cedric was a three sport standout at Thatcher High School starring in football, basketball, and baseball. Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 19th round out of high school, he chose to attend Chandler Gilbert Community College where his freshman year was cut short by an ankle injury. He is currently a sophomore at Eastern Arizona College. Coach Littlewood said, "We are excited to have Cedric join us next year. Cedric has the ability to be one of the better players we have had since we have been NCAA Division II. For us to sign a player of his caliber that has been drafted already by a Major League team speaks volumes about where our program is headed."

Yuto Kata: Yuto comes to us from Juan Diego High School where he has played in three straight state championship games, winning two consecutive as a sophomore and junior. The switch hitting middle infielder hit .522 as a sophomore and .446 as a junior garnering all state recognition both years. "We are thrilled to get one of the best players in the state to join us next year. Yuto has very high baseball IQ and understands the finer details of the game.  We expect him to be an impact player for our program for years to come,” Littlewood concluded.