RICHMOND, Ky. - Eastern Kentucky University baseball coach Jim Ward has announced the signing of Lexington Catholic High School corner infielder Kevin Payne to a national letter-of-intent.

Payne, 6-2, 200, was a first-team All-City player and batted .388 with 37 runs batted in and 10 stolen bases last season for coach Rodney Martin's Knights.

"Kevin has been a very successful run-producing hitter in a strong high school program," said Ward. "He is capable of becoming a middle-of-the-lineup type of hitter. We are also impressed with his work ethic and approach to playing baseball."

As a junior, Payne was an All-District and All-Regional Team selection as Lexington Catholic won the state championship. He was also selected as the Most Valuable Player of the 1999 East/West All-Star Game.

Payne, the son of Robert and Tracy Payne of Lexington, will major in journalism this fall at EKU.