Eric Willis of Waverly-Shell Rock is the latest Iowa prep star to join the Kirkwood Community College baseball team.

Willis, a middle infielder, was named the Player of the Year on the IHSBCA All-State Super Team this season after hitting .457 with five home runs and 45 RBIs as a senior. He also had 13 doubles and four triples.

"We are extremely excited to have a young man of high character like Eric joining our program," said Kirkwood Coach Todd Rima. "We are very proud that the IHSBCA Player of the Year has chosen Kirkwood to continue his education.

"We look forward to helping Eric develop into an outstanding college baseball player."

Willis is the 12th Iowan and 18th player overall to sign with the Eagles for the 2014-15 school year. "It's been a great year for us," said Rima.

Kirkwood also has signed Jay Campbell, a right-handed pitcher from Davenport Assumption, and Eric Dempsey, a second team all-state outfielder from Ames in recent weeks. Campbell went 7-2 with a 2.94 ERA for Assumption, which won the Class 3A state title. Dempsey hit .432 with five homers and 27 RBIs.

Willis is the son of Wartburg football coach and athletic director Rick Willis.

Normally the IHSBCA Player of the Year would have picked a college prior to mid-August, but Willis was still available for Kirkwood.

"With Iowa high school summer ball, a lot of people were full as far as the Division I level," said Rima. "We got lucky."