Former Helena Senators' pitcher Jake Vulk, who recently completed his sophomore season of college baseball at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, got a chance to rub shoulders with several major league players earlier this year.

In preparation for spring training, Dustin Pedroia, Dennis Sarfate, Nelson Figueroa and Andre Eithier came to the Coyotes' practices in Arizona for workoutrs.

Vulk pitched his freshman year at Western Nebraska Community College, where he compiled a 2-2 record. A highlight with the Cougars occurred when he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against Trinity Community. One of his teammates in Scottsbluff was Alex Rodriguez's nephew.

Vulk then transferred to Chandler-Gilbert C.C., fashioning a 2-1 record this past season as a starter and middle reliever. Vulk said that one of his Coyote teammates, Devin Fuller, was drafted in the sixth round by Tampa Bay.

For the Senators, Vulk received the 2005 Stanley Foote Award as the most improved player, and was a two-time recipient of the Ace Kindrick Award, in 2006-07, as the team's best pitcher.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder is transferring to MSU-Billings, where he has a scholarship to play baseball for the Yellowjackets his junior year. Vulk's fastball has been clocked at 91 miles per hour.

He explained that the main difference between Legion and college ball is the talent level, the spped of the game and the hitters are far more patient.

"The hitters are harder to get out up here, because they know the strike zone better and they wait for their pitch," Vulk said.

Vulk's goal is to "play one more year of college ball, and then hopefully be drafted" by the pros.

Jake is the son of Mike and Teresa Vulk of Helena. He is studying computer science and computer programming.

Curt Synness: 449-2150 or curt52s@bresnan.net