PORTSMOUTH — Baseball was the bait. Education was the hook.

Shawnee State University Bears baseball coach Tom Bergan came away with two big catches after signing Brian Ramey and Odie Kelly of the Green Bobcats Tuesday.

“Shawnee State is a very good fit for me,” said Kelly.

“It is close to home and has a good baseball program and a good academic environment.”

Ramey, who was on the All-Academic basketball coaches association team, was drawn to Shawnee State in part because of its academics.

“I think coach Bergan has the baseball team heading in the right direction,” Ramey said. “Shawnee State offered me a great opportunity for a great education and chance to keep playing baseball.”

An outfielder and pitcher, Kelly bated .375 with a .514 on-base percentage this past season. As a pitcher he was 7-1 with a microscopic 0.97 earned run average. He allowed just 25 hits in 50.1 innings.

Kelly was first team All-Southern Ohio Conference and first team all-district in Division IV the past two seasons. He was All-Ohio honorable mention this year.

“Odie had a tremendous career at Green,” Bergan said. “He has good arm strength, regularly hitting 83-84 miles per hour. He has touchded 87-88 miles an hour and I expect him to improve.”

Ramey earned first team All-SOC and third team all-district as a catcher and first baseman the past two years. Ramey batted. .417 for his career including .579 this season with three home runs and 26 runs batted in.

Ramey struck out just three times in 80 plate appreances.

“Ramey has proven that he can match up with just about any pitcher. He hits for power and average.

Although he primarily caught in high school, I expect him to see a good deal of work at first base,” Bergan said.

Shawnee State competes in the American Mideast Conference.

The Bears finished the 2006 season with a record of 16-25 (8-16 AMC).