The Seton Hill University baseball team was looking for a few good pitchers.

It found two in Butler County.

Mars graduate D.J. Cannon and Butler product Brian Warheit both recently decided to attend the school, located in Greensburg, and to play for the team. Both will receive a partial scholarship.

The Griffins graduated five pitchers from last season's 34-17 team, the program's first campaign in NCAA Division II.

Seton Hill coach Marc Marizzaldi will have six freshman hurlers coming in next fall, including Cannon and Warheit.

"They're two guys who can bring some long-term success to the team," Marizzaldi said. "Both of them are athletic and have great size. We're looking for them to contribute as freshmen, but, like anyone else, there may be some growing pains."

Both pitchers had strong springs to close their high school careers.

Cannon totaled 47 innings this season for the Planets and struck out 54 batters and walked only 13. He went 5-2 with an earned-run average of 2.53.

"Every game that D.J. pitched, you knew that you had a chance to win," said Mars coach Andy Bednar.

Cannon recently pitched for WPIAL Class AAA in an all-star game against Quad A players and walked away with Most Valuable Pitcher honors after striking out four and not giving up a run in three innings to help his team to a 5-1 win.

Cannon also had a strong career as a quarterback on the football team and considered college offers in that sport.

"Washington & Jefferson, Allegheny College and Iona were all looking at me for football," said Cannon, who will major in business. "But baseball was my first love and I just didn't feel comfortable giving it up.

"Seton Hill seemed to be the best opportunity to get a good education and have a good experience playing baseball."

Cannon's control is what impressed Marizzaldi the most.

"His command is fantastic," the coach said. "He gets a lot of groundball outs."

Warheit pitched for Butler's varsity team since his sophomore season, closing his career with 41Z\c innings in 2007, striking out 44 and walking 24. He managed a 3-2 record and a 3.90 ERA.

"Brian brought a strong presence to the mound when he pitched," said Golden Tornado coach Dave Florie. "He had a better curveball this year and developed a change-up. His stats would have been better if we didn't play in such a tough section."

Warheit, who will major in accounting, had his own decision to make on where he would play in college.

"I was also looking at (Indiana [Pa.] University) and Marietta (Ohio) College," he said. "But Seton Hill gave me a bit more money with my scholarship and their baseball field is turf. I like that."

"Brian's fastball is in the mid-80s and it's got good movement," Marizzaldi said. "Once he improves, he can become a complete pitcher."

Seton Hill's varsity baseball program has just four seasons under its belt, with Marizzaldi coaching the team since its inception.

The Griffins begin play in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference next season. Their competition will include the likes of Pitt-Johnstown, Shepherd University, West Liberty State, Fairmont State and West Virginia State.