INDIANA, Pa. - IUP head baseball coach
Jeff Ditch and recruiting coordinator/assistant coach
Billy Tecklenburg have announced that 11 student-athletes have committed to join the Crimson Hawks baseball program beginning in the fall of 2016.
10 of the 11 are native to Pennsylvania, including four from the western part of the state. Ditch and Tecklenburg also welcome a player from Florida.
The Crimson Hawks add to their roster four players with pitching experience, a pair of shortstops, three outfielders, a corner infielder, and a catcher. Of the four pitchers, three have experience playing the field.
"We are very fortunate to have such an outstanding group joining us next fall," said Ditch. "With the graduation of five seniors, this recruiting class will impact all nine positions on the field. I feel strongly that our recruiting success is a direct reflection of our current players, all the positive opportunities that IUP provides our student-athletes, and our WINwithCLASS academic program."
"The overall talent of our recruiting class was boosted by the competitive nature of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The success of our league during the early signing period is a direct reflection of the PSAC's tradition, including its Division II World Series appearances and annual MLB draft selections" added Ditch.
The PSAC had five players selected in the 2015 MLB draft, including IUP's
Ryan Uhl (St. Marys, Pa./St. Marys), selected in the seventh round by the Seattle Mariners. Uhl was the first collegiate player selected from Pennsylvania.
IUP's 2016 seniors are
Hunter Bigler (Washington/Trinity),
Justin Charles (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York),
Matt Douglas (Canonsburg/Canon-McMillan),
Rick Jones (New Castle/Laurel), and
Chris Schaedel (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier).
UPDATE (Dec. 16): Outfielder Shane Aster was added to the recruiting class, bringing the size up to 11 student-athletes. Further information on Aster is below. All positional, etc. information above reflects Aster's addition.
Tyler Adams | LHP/OF | 6-0 | 180 lbs | Bats Left | Throws LeftMineral Point, PA
Central Cambria High School
Parents: Mary and Joe Adams
High School Coach: Joe Klezek
Summer Coach: Chris Pfeil
Intended area of study: Criminology
Ditch's Comment: TJ brings outstanding arm strength to the mound as a pitcher and left handed bat to our lineup. He is an incredible athlete, evident by both his baseball and football skills. We first saw him as a member of ERA's Flood City Elite team at the new Iron Horse Complex in Windber and saw his skills as a two-way player.
Shane Aster | OF | 6-1 | 165 lbs | Bats Right | Throws RightNorthampton, PA
Northampton Area High School
Parents: Theresa Evans and Jeff Aster
High School Coach: Mick Sugra
Summer Coach: Scott Cooperman
Fall Coach: Rich Freiler
Intended area of study: Sports Administration
Ditch's Comment: Shane is one of four Lehigh Valley Baseball Academy Prospects that played on our field this past summer and committed to play at IUP. We were fortunate to have hosted their team and have each join us. He can really run. We see him as a speed player who will score runs and provide tremendous outfield defense.
Josh Beale | 3B/OF | 6-3 | 215 lbs | Bats Right | Throws RightFreeport, PA
Freeport Area High School
Parents: Cary and Michael Beale
High School Coach: Chris Graczyk
Summer Coach: Tim Banner and Ed Carr
Intended area of study: Nursing
Ditch's Comment: We first saw Josh at the WPIAL Baseball Coaches Showcase at Burkett Field. Josh can really swing the bat and hit for power. He has potential to hit in the middle of the order and drive in runs. Defensively we project him as a 3B / 1B / LF / RF type player. He was the first player to commit to us this past summer.
Chris Eisel | OF | 5-10 | 175 lbs | Bats Right | Throws RightPittsburgh, PA
Baldwin High School
Parents: Kathy and Jack Eisel
High School Coach: Dan Caponi
Summer Coach: Chase Rowe
Fall Coach: Fred Albert
Intended area of study: Physical Therapy / Chiropractic Medicine
Ditch's Comment: Chris is a game changer with his speed, athleticism, and defensive skills in the outfield. His speed is comparable to past players like Robbie Zinsmeister, Paul Bingham, and Jamie Smith who each are ranked on top of IUP's all-time stolen base records. We saw Chris numerous times this past summer and most recent with Coach Fred Albert's Allegheny Pirates.
Kailen Grimm | SS | 5-9 | 160 lbs | Bats Right | Throws RightMcKees Rocks, PA
Montour High School
Parents: Melanie and Todd Priddy
High School Coach: Glenn Vietmeier
Summer Coach: Matt Diesel
Intended area of study: Criminology
Ditch's Comment: We saw Kailen at both the WPIAL Baseball Coaches Showcase and in the Western Pennsylvania Elite Baseball League with Steel City Select. He can help us in the middle infield. Kailen, Josh Beale, and TJ Adams are the most local players we have joining us at this point in the recruiting process.
Luke Hollander | OF | 6-4 | 165 lbs | Bats Left | Throws RightRoyal Palm Beach, FL
Royal Palm Beach High School
Parents: Stephanie and Michael Hollander
High School Coach: Kason Gabbard
Summer Coach: Louie Siciliano
Fall Coach: Thomas Coates
Intended area of study: Marketing
Ditch's Comment: Luke started recruiting us by email and then attended our fall showcase camp. He brings a projectable body and with added strength will be an offensive left handed hitter and corner outfielder. He is a candidate for both the IUP Cook Honors College and Eberly College of Business Honors Program.
Ben Hudock | RHP/SS | 5-11 | 155 lbs | Bats Right | Throws RightBethlehem, PA
Liberty High School
Parents: Sandy and Chris Hudock
High School Coach: Andy Pitsilos
Summer Coach: Scott Cooperman
Fall Coach: Rich Fleirer
Intended area of study: Nursing
Ditch's Comment: Ben played on our field this past summer with the Lehigh Valley Baseball Academy Prospects and also attended our fall showcase camp. He shows the ability to be a polished pitcher for us and also has all the actions, skills, and tools of a middle infielder.
Ryan LaCoe | SS | 6-1 | 180 lbs | Bats Right | Throws RightHershey, PA
Hershey High School
Parents: Jacqueline and Christopher LaCoe
High School Coach: Doug Ruhl
Summer Coach: Dave Hoenstine
Intended area of study: Business
Ditch's Comment: Coach Tecklenburg saw Ryan numerous times this past summer and felt strongly that he can play shortstop at a high level in the PSAC. We are eager for him to bring his defensive skills to our infield and provide leadership to our team. Ryan played shortstop for the US Elite summer team and also experienced much success this fall with his soccer team advancing far into the district and PIAA playoffs.
Alek Tesla | LHP | 6-2 | 165 lbs | Bats Right | Throws LeftPittsburgh, PA
North Hills High School
Parents: Joan and Nick Tesla
High School Coach: Steven Long
Summer Coach: Matt Diesel
Fall Coach: Jason Besesi
Intended area of study: Business
Ditch's Comment: Like Kailen Grimm, Alek jumped on our radar this past summer at the WPIAL Baseball Coaches Showcase and in the Western Pennsylvania Elite Baseball League with Steel City Select. He also attended our fall showcase camp. He is a very projectable LHP and has the ability to succeed in the PSAC.
Corey Webb | C/3B | 5-10 | 165 lbs | Bats Right | Throws RightEaston, PA
Easton Area High School
Parents: Michelle and William Webb
High School Coach: Greg Hess and Carm LaDuca
Summer Coach: Scott Cooperman, Cody Krupa, Rich Freiler, Ryan O'Day
Fall Coach: Rich Freiler and Ryan O'Day
Intended area of study: Undecided
Ditch's Comment: As a member of the Lehigh Valley Baseball Academy Prospects, Corey played in a tournament on our field this past summer and stood out as an outstanding defensive catcher and ability to play 3B as well. He brings leadership skills and is a bright young man that our pitchers will gravitate toward.
John Yocum | RHP/3B | 6-0 | 205 lbs | Bats Right | Throws RightBethlehem, PA
Freedom High School
Parents: Elaine and John Yocum
High School Coach: Nicholas D'Amico
Summer Coach: Scott Cooperman
Fall Coach: Scott Cooperman
Intended area of study: Business / Pre-Med
Ditch's Comment: Along with Shane Aster, Ben Hudock and Corey Webb, John played on our field with the Lehigh Valley Baseball Academy. He is a bulldog on the mound and will be a strong option offensively. We think he will contribute significant innings early in his career.
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