Baseball: Van Zant Adds 13 Newcomers
September 06, 2011 02:50 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University baseball head coach Greg Van Zant has announced the Mountaineers’ incoming recruiting class for the 2012 season. WVU inked 13 prospects in this class including; four pitchers, a catcher, five infielders and three outfielders.
“We lost 10 seniors to graduation, so we had needs at every position,” Van Zant says. “Our recruiting coordinator Pat Sherald and our entire staff worked tirelessly to find and sign these young men. We think all 13 players in this class can help us right away and we are very happy they have chosen to be Mountaineers.”
Austin Pressly (Arcanum, Ohio/Sinclair CC), Dan Dierdorff (Mount Wolf, Pa./Frederick CC), R.J. Smith (Rocky Ridge, Md./Catoctin HS) and Caleb Ross (Barboursville, W.Va./Cabell Midland HS) comprise a group of four new pitchers on next season’s staff. Dierdorff, Pressly and Smith are right handers, while Ross will represent the lone southpaw in the group.
There are a total of nine position players in the class, including catcher Gabe Brown (Ernul, N.C./Lenoir CC), infielders Nate Antone (Vandergrift, Pa./Potomac State JC), John Polonius (Willemstad, Curacao/Genesee CC), Stuart Jeck (Pittsburg, Kan./Fort Scott CC), Billy Fleming (Churchville, Pa./Council Rock South HS) and Justin Fox (New Martinsville, W.Va./Magnolia HS). The three outfielders are Jacob Ringold (Mount Airy, Md./Potomac State JC), Bobby Boyd (Silver Spring, Md./St. John’s College HS) and Jon Roszel (Toms River, N.J./Manchester Township HS). Antone and Brown will pitch as well.
Austin Pressly (6-4, 210, Jr.) was the 2011 Ohio Community College Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, first team all-conference and first team all-region. Pressly finished 2011 with a 6-1 record in seven starts including four complete games and a 2.83 earned-run average (ERA). He allowed just 13 earned runs in 54 innings pitched, striking out 27 and holding opponents to a .193 batting average. Prior to Sinclair, Pressly was drafted out of Franklin Monroe High by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 23rd round of the 2009 MLB first-year player draft.
“Austin is a big, strong right-hander who has a very good arm,” Van Zant says. “We are looking forward to seeing him pitch this fall.”
Dan Dierdorff (6-0, 190, Jr.) leaves Frederick Community College in Maryland as the school’s career leader in innings pitched and strikeouts after being named a NJCAA Division II second team All-American. In 2011, Dierdorff was 7-1 in 12 starts with the nation’s second best ERA of 1.11. He pitched 65 innings, striking out 84 while only allowing eight walks. His 1.39 strikeouts per nine innings was ranked sixth nationally. The first team all-Maryland Junior College honoree was also a first team all-NJCAA Region XX on a 2011 team that finished 43-7.
“Dan really knows how to pitch,” Van Zant comments. “He throws three pitches for strikes and pitches smart.”
R.J. Smith (5-11, 168, Fr.) was the 2011 Frederick News Post Player of the Year and finished the season with a 5-2 record on the mound for Catoctin High School, while hitting .538 with 39 RBIs, seven doubles, two triples and 11 home runs at the plate. As a junior in 2010, Smith was first team all-Frederick News Post and led the county with 67 strikeouts in five starts with a 1.98 ERA. Smith also earned a spot on Team Maryland and pitched for them at the 2010 Sunbelt Classic in Oklahoma.
“R.J. is an excellent athlete who has shown an above average breaking ball,” Van Zant says.
Caleb Ross (6-2, 180, Fr.) was named the 2011 West Virginia State Baseball Player of the Year after leading Cabell Midland High School to a 23-5 record. The left-handed pitcher finished 11-0 while boasting a 0.36 ERA with four earned runs and 106 strikeouts in 58 innings. In the postseason, Ross was 3-0 in three starts, allowing just one run in 19 innings and striking out 31. In addition to being the Class AAA all-state captain in 2011, Ross was a 2010 Class AAA all-state first-team selection and a second-team choice in 2009. Ross finished his three-year career with a combined record of 28-3.
“Caleb is a very talented left-handed pitcher who has a strong arm,” Van Zant comments. “Good lefties like Caleb are hard to find.”
Gabe Brown (6-1, 195, Jr.) was the 2011 NJCAA Division II first team All-American catcher and Region X Player of the Year. He finished the 2011 season ranked 11th nationally in junior college baseball in batting average (.451) and 13th in home runs (12). He also had nine doubles, 37 runs scored and 37 RBIs in 102 at-bats. On the mound, Brown posted a 4-0 record with a 1.95 ERA. In 32.1 innings pitched, he struck out 44 and walked 11 in helping Lenoir Community College to a 33-13 slate. He was also named first team all-conference and first team all-Region X in 2011.
“Gabe Brown has a lot of ability,” Van Zant says. “You don’t find many players that can catch, pitch and hit for power.”
Nate Antone (6-4, 210, r-So.) joins the Mountaineers after leading Potomac State to a Region XX Championship and a third-place finish at the 2011 Junior College Division I World Series. Antone was a NJCAA Division I honorable mention All-American. As one of the top hitters in JUCO baseball, Antone had 66 hits, including 27 doubles, three triples and three home runs. He scored 52 runs while also driving in 52 and finished the season hitting at a .426 clip with an on-base percentage of .543. On the mound, Antone worked 15.1 innings, finishing 2-0 with four saves. Antone was also named first team all-Region XX.
“Nate has the potential to hit in the middle of our lineup, play a corner on the infield and pitch significant innings for us,” Van Zant says. “He is very talented.”
John Polonius (6-1, 160, Jr.) comes to WVU via Willemstad, Curacao, and Genessee Community College. Polonius was drafted in the 30th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft by the Cleveland Indians as a shortstop. In 2011, Polonius led Genesee in seven offensive categories, including batting average at .370, RBIs with 23, 21 runs scored, five triples, 11 doubles and 30 hits, as well as stealing 21 of 23 bases. The 2011 Genesee C.C. Player of the Year was also first team all-Western New York Athletic Conference and first team all-region.
“John is a very athletic, smooth fielding shortstop who runs well and has the ability to hit,” Van Zant comments. “His best baseball is ahead of him.”
Stuart Jeck (6-1, 190, Jr.) is an athletic, left-handed hitting middle infielder from Pittsburg, Kan. Jeck ranked sixth in the nation with 47 stolen bases in 50 attempts in 2011 at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. Jeck played in 58 games, recording a .369 batting average with 83 hits, 20 doubles, five triples, 66 runs and 50 RBI and helped his team to a 40-18 record in the always tough Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference where he earned all-conference honors. He was a rare first team all-State selection in three sports (baseball, football and basketball) at St. Mary’s Colgan High School.
“Stu is athletic enough to play middle infield and anywhere in the outfield,” Van Zant says. “His left-handed bat and versatility are a big plus for our team.”
Billy Fleming (6-0, 190, Fr.) joins the Mountaineers after starting all four years at shortstop for Council Rock South High. Fleming led his team to the PIAA state tournament and a top 5 state ranking with a .511 batting average in 2011. He also had five home runs, 33 RBI and 15 stolen bases. He finished high school with a .499 career batting average and was named the 2011 Suburban One League Player of the Year. Fleming was twice named to the All-Southeastern Pennsylvania Team and was a three-time Carpenter Cup selection. Fleming was also a three-year starter at quarterback and was the recipient of the prestigious Mini-Maxwell Award in 2010.
“Billy Fleming is an outstanding athlete who has a lot of hitting ability,” Van Zant says. “He can play any infield position and has a chance to develop into a tremendous hitter.”
Justin Fox (5-10, 178, Fr.) was a four-year letter winner at Magnolia High in New Martinsville, W.Va. Fox was elected captain of the Class AA all-state teams in baseball and football. He was also named to the all-star teams in baseball and football in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference during his senior year. Fox recorded a career batting average of .460 with 14 home runs and 108 RBIs. In 2011, Fox finished with a .625 batting average, scoring 31 runs and knocking in 32. Fox was also the 2010 Harrison H. Kennedy Award winner as the top football player in West Virginia.
“Justin is an infielder who has a good approach in the batter’s box,” Van Zant says. “He is a tough competitor and a winner.”
Jacob Ringold (6-2, 200, Jr.) is a left-handed hitting outfielder who helped Potomac State to a 38-12 record and third-place finish at the 2011 Junior College Division I World Series. Ringold, who was an all-Region XX selection, finished 2011 with a .354 batting average in 34 games. In 127 at-bats, Ringold registered 45 hits, eight doubles, 41 runs and 17 RBIs. The Mount Airy, Md., native also played a key role in leading the Gold Star Post 191 team to the 2009 American Legion World Series in Fargo, N.D.
“Jake is a left-handed hitting outfielder with some pop in his bat,” Van Zant comments. “He can also go and get the ball in the outfield.”
Bobby Boyd (5-9, 160, Fr.), who comes to WVU from Silver Spring, Md., is a fast, athletic centerfielder who swings the bat from the left side. Boyd earned Washington Post second team all-Met honors this past season at St. John’s College High where he helped his team to a 22-9 record and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship. Boyd hit .404 from the leadoff spot, drove in 24 runs and stole 24 bases to earn a spot on the all-WCAC first team.
“Bobby is fast enough to play centerfield and he is a left-handed hitter,” Van Zant comments. “He is a prototypical leadoff hitter.”
Jon Roszel (6-4, 210, Fr.) comes to WVU after earning all-Group 3 honors in New Jersey in 2010 and 2011. He also earned first team all-Shore honors in 2011 at Manchester Township High where he played center and right field his senior year. The Shore Conference Hitter of the Year in 2011 batted .500 with 26 runs, six doubles, four triples, three home runs and 25 RBIs as a senior. Roszel was twice selected to play in the prestigious Carpenter Cup for the Jersey Shore team.
“Jon is a big, strong outfielder who can run fast enough to play centerfield and hits for enough power to play a corner outfield position,” Van Zant says. “There are not many guys out there that can do what he can.”
The Mountaineers are scheduled to begin fall practice on Thursday, Sept. 8, and will practice through late October at Hawley Field.
“We lost 10 seniors to graduation, so we had needs at every position,” Van Zant says. “Our recruiting coordinator Pat Sherald and our entire staff worked tirelessly to find and sign these young men. We think all 13 players in this class can help us right away and we are very happy they have chosen to be Mountaineers.”
Austin Pressly (Arcanum, Ohio/Sinclair CC), Dan Dierdorff (Mount Wolf, Pa./Frederick CC), R.J. Smith (Rocky Ridge, Md./Catoctin HS) and Caleb Ross (Barboursville, W.Va./Cabell Midland HS) comprise a group of four new pitchers on next season’s staff. Dierdorff, Pressly and Smith are right handers, while Ross will represent the lone southpaw in the group.
There are a total of nine position players in the class, including catcher Gabe Brown (Ernul, N.C./Lenoir CC), infielders Nate Antone (Vandergrift, Pa./Potomac State JC), John Polonius (Willemstad, Curacao/Genesee CC), Stuart Jeck (Pittsburg, Kan./Fort Scott CC), Billy Fleming (Churchville, Pa./Council Rock South HS) and Justin Fox (New Martinsville, W.Va./Magnolia HS). The three outfielders are Jacob Ringold (Mount Airy, Md./Potomac State JC), Bobby Boyd (Silver Spring, Md./St. John’s College HS) and Jon Roszel (Toms River, N.J./Manchester Township HS). Antone and Brown will pitch as well.
Austin Pressly (6-4, 210, Jr.) was the 2011 Ohio Community College Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, first team all-conference and first team all-region. Pressly finished 2011 with a 6-1 record in seven starts including four complete games and a 2.83 earned-run average (ERA). He allowed just 13 earned runs in 54 innings pitched, striking out 27 and holding opponents to a .193 batting average. Prior to Sinclair, Pressly was drafted out of Franklin Monroe High by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 23rd round of the 2009 MLB first-year player draft.
“Austin is a big, strong right-hander who has a very good arm,” Van Zant says. “We are looking forward to seeing him pitch this fall.”
Dan Dierdorff (6-0, 190, Jr.) leaves Frederick Community College in Maryland as the school’s career leader in innings pitched and strikeouts after being named a NJCAA Division II second team All-American. In 2011, Dierdorff was 7-1 in 12 starts with the nation’s second best ERA of 1.11. He pitched 65 innings, striking out 84 while only allowing eight walks. His 1.39 strikeouts per nine innings was ranked sixth nationally. The first team all-Maryland Junior College honoree was also a first team all-NJCAA Region XX on a 2011 team that finished 43-7.
“Dan really knows how to pitch,” Van Zant comments. “He throws three pitches for strikes and pitches smart.”
R.J. Smith (5-11, 168, Fr.) was the 2011 Frederick News Post Player of the Year and finished the season with a 5-2 record on the mound for Catoctin High School, while hitting .538 with 39 RBIs, seven doubles, two triples and 11 home runs at the plate. As a junior in 2010, Smith was first team all-Frederick News Post and led the county with 67 strikeouts in five starts with a 1.98 ERA. Smith also earned a spot on Team Maryland and pitched for them at the 2010 Sunbelt Classic in Oklahoma.
“R.J. is an excellent athlete who has shown an above average breaking ball,” Van Zant says.
Caleb Ross (6-2, 180, Fr.) was named the 2011 West Virginia State Baseball Player of the Year after leading Cabell Midland High School to a 23-5 record. The left-handed pitcher finished 11-0 while boasting a 0.36 ERA with four earned runs and 106 strikeouts in 58 innings. In the postseason, Ross was 3-0 in three starts, allowing just one run in 19 innings and striking out 31. In addition to being the Class AAA all-state captain in 2011, Ross was a 2010 Class AAA all-state first-team selection and a second-team choice in 2009. Ross finished his three-year career with a combined record of 28-3.
“Caleb is a very talented left-handed pitcher who has a strong arm,” Van Zant comments. “Good lefties like Caleb are hard to find.”
Gabe Brown (6-1, 195, Jr.) was the 2011 NJCAA Division II first team All-American catcher and Region X Player of the Year. He finished the 2011 season ranked 11th nationally in junior college baseball in batting average (.451) and 13th in home runs (12). He also had nine doubles, 37 runs scored and 37 RBIs in 102 at-bats. On the mound, Brown posted a 4-0 record with a 1.95 ERA. In 32.1 innings pitched, he struck out 44 and walked 11 in helping Lenoir Community College to a 33-13 slate. He was also named first team all-conference and first team all-Region X in 2011.
“Gabe Brown has a lot of ability,” Van Zant says. “You don’t find many players that can catch, pitch and hit for power.”
Nate Antone (6-4, 210, r-So.) joins the Mountaineers after leading Potomac State to a Region XX Championship and a third-place finish at the 2011 Junior College Division I World Series. Antone was a NJCAA Division I honorable mention All-American. As one of the top hitters in JUCO baseball, Antone had 66 hits, including 27 doubles, three triples and three home runs. He scored 52 runs while also driving in 52 and finished the season hitting at a .426 clip with an on-base percentage of .543. On the mound, Antone worked 15.1 innings, finishing 2-0 with four saves. Antone was also named first team all-Region XX.
“Nate has the potential to hit in the middle of our lineup, play a corner on the infield and pitch significant innings for us,” Van Zant says. “He is very talented.”
John Polonius (6-1, 160, Jr.) comes to WVU via Willemstad, Curacao, and Genessee Community College. Polonius was drafted in the 30th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft by the Cleveland Indians as a shortstop. In 2011, Polonius led Genesee in seven offensive categories, including batting average at .370, RBIs with 23, 21 runs scored, five triples, 11 doubles and 30 hits, as well as stealing 21 of 23 bases. The 2011 Genesee C.C. Player of the Year was also first team all-Western New York Athletic Conference and first team all-region.
“John is a very athletic, smooth fielding shortstop who runs well and has the ability to hit,” Van Zant comments. “His best baseball is ahead of him.”
Stuart Jeck (6-1, 190, Jr.) is an athletic, left-handed hitting middle infielder from Pittsburg, Kan. Jeck ranked sixth in the nation with 47 stolen bases in 50 attempts in 2011 at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. Jeck played in 58 games, recording a .369 batting average with 83 hits, 20 doubles, five triples, 66 runs and 50 RBI and helped his team to a 40-18 record in the always tough Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference where he earned all-conference honors. He was a rare first team all-State selection in three sports (baseball, football and basketball) at St. Mary’s Colgan High School.
“Stu is athletic enough to play middle infield and anywhere in the outfield,” Van Zant says. “His left-handed bat and versatility are a big plus for our team.”
Billy Fleming (6-0, 190, Fr.) joins the Mountaineers after starting all four years at shortstop for Council Rock South High. Fleming led his team to the PIAA state tournament and a top 5 state ranking with a .511 batting average in 2011. He also had five home runs, 33 RBI and 15 stolen bases. He finished high school with a .499 career batting average and was named the 2011 Suburban One League Player of the Year. Fleming was twice named to the All-Southeastern Pennsylvania Team and was a three-time Carpenter Cup selection. Fleming was also a three-year starter at quarterback and was the recipient of the prestigious Mini-Maxwell Award in 2010.
“Billy Fleming is an outstanding athlete who has a lot of hitting ability,” Van Zant says. “He can play any infield position and has a chance to develop into a tremendous hitter.”
Justin Fox (5-10, 178, Fr.) was a four-year letter winner at Magnolia High in New Martinsville, W.Va. Fox was elected captain of the Class AA all-state teams in baseball and football. He was also named to the all-star teams in baseball and football in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference during his senior year. Fox recorded a career batting average of .460 with 14 home runs and 108 RBIs. In 2011, Fox finished with a .625 batting average, scoring 31 runs and knocking in 32. Fox was also the 2010 Harrison H. Kennedy Award winner as the top football player in West Virginia.
“Justin is an infielder who has a good approach in the batter’s box,” Van Zant says. “He is a tough competitor and a winner.”
Jacob Ringold (6-2, 200, Jr.) is a left-handed hitting outfielder who helped Potomac State to a 38-12 record and third-place finish at the 2011 Junior College Division I World Series. Ringold, who was an all-Region XX selection, finished 2011 with a .354 batting average in 34 games. In 127 at-bats, Ringold registered 45 hits, eight doubles, 41 runs and 17 RBIs. The Mount Airy, Md., native also played a key role in leading the Gold Star Post 191 team to the 2009 American Legion World Series in Fargo, N.D.
“Jake is a left-handed hitting outfielder with some pop in his bat,” Van Zant comments. “He can also go and get the ball in the outfield.”
Bobby Boyd (5-9, 160, Fr.), who comes to WVU from Silver Spring, Md., is a fast, athletic centerfielder who swings the bat from the left side. Boyd earned Washington Post second team all-Met honors this past season at St. John’s College High where he helped his team to a 22-9 record and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship. Boyd hit .404 from the leadoff spot, drove in 24 runs and stole 24 bases to earn a spot on the all-WCAC first team.
“Bobby is fast enough to play centerfield and he is a left-handed hitter,” Van Zant comments. “He is a prototypical leadoff hitter.”
Jon Roszel (6-4, 210, Fr.) comes to WVU after earning all-Group 3 honors in New Jersey in 2010 and 2011. He also earned first team all-Shore honors in 2011 at Manchester Township High where he played center and right field his senior year. The Shore Conference Hitter of the Year in 2011 batted .500 with 26 runs, six doubles, four triples, three home runs and 25 RBIs as a senior. Roszel was twice selected to play in the prestigious Carpenter Cup for the Jersey Shore team.
“Jon is a big, strong outfielder who can run fast enough to play centerfield and hits for enough power to play a corner outfield position,” Van Zant says. “There are not many guys out there that can do what he can.”
The Mountaineers are scheduled to begin fall practice on Thursday, Sept. 8, and will practice through late October at Hawley Field.
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