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Grand Canyon University Athletics
GCU Baseball Signs 10 Local Standouts for 2013
11/17/2011 9:32:00 AM | Baseball
The Grand Canyon University baseball program announced today that 10 local standouts have signed national letter-of-intents to come to GCU for the 2013 season.
“We are excited to announce our early signees for the 2013 season,” said head coach Andy Stankiewicz. “As part of our inaugural recruiting class, we wanted to identify the top local talent and keep them in state. This group will bring great skill and competiveness to the program, as well as high academic achievement. Each player has a G.P.A above 3.0. We are extremely excited to have these young men join our tradition rich program.”
Jaren Drummond, a left-handed pitcher with Perry, was a 2011 Honorable Mention All-Region selection. He also was a member of the 2011 Junior Sunbelt team. He was 5-3 with a 3.70 ERA as a junior.
“Jaren is a very aggressive lefty that shows athleticism on the mound,” said Stankiewicz. “We are excited with what Jaren brings to our program.”
Houston Edwards, a pitcher with Coronado, was First Team All-Region in 2011.
“Houston has plus arm strength,” added Stankiewicz. “He has been 90-92 mph this summer and we look forward to getting him in our program. He has a lot of upside.”
Tommy Harding, a right-handed pitcher with Sabino, was a 2011 Second Team All-Southern Arizona selection.
“Tommy has a chance to be a front of the rotation guy,” said Stankiewicz. “He is a big athletic right-hander with a lot of sink.”
Hunter Herdt, a right-handed pitcher from Chandler-Gilbert Community College, was 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA in seven games last season.
“Hunter is a strike thrower that has a chance to help us immediately,” added Stankiewicz. “He is an upper 80’s guy that commands the bottom half of the strike zone. We are thrilled to have Hunter join the GCU program.”
Garrett Jeffries, an outfielder/pitcher with Mesquite, is a two-time East Valley Tribune First Team selection, First Team All-State outfielder and was a member of the 2011 Junior Sunbelt team. Jeffries hit .509 with six home runs and 43 RBI as a junior.
“Garrett is a very good athlete that will have a chance to be a two-way guy for us,” said Stankiewicz. “He is one of the best hitters in the state.”
Andrew Naderer, a left-handed pitcher/outfielder with Arcadia, was the 2011 East Sky Region Pitcher of the Year. Naderer was 8-2 with a 1.74 ERA in 12 games as a junior. He was also a member of the 2011 Junior Sunbelt team.
“Andrew has tremendous upside,” said Stankiewicz. “He is a lengthy left-hander that has a lot of potential. He is one of the better southpaws in the state.”
Paul Panaccione, an infielder with Liberty, was a First Team 4A Skyline Region selection as a junior. Panaccione was a also a member of the 2010 USSSA Winter Nationals 18U Championship team. He was an accomplished football player in high school as well, being named t0 the Arizona All-State First Team.
“Paul is a tremendous athlete, which is evident in his baseball accolades and all-state football selection,” added Stankiewicz. “He will bring a high level of intensity and competitiveness to our program.”
Malcolm Purdy, a right-handed pitcher from Chandler-Gilbert Community College, pitched in 14 games for the Coyotes last season.
“Malcolm will bring extremely valuable experience to GCU baseball,” said Stankiewicz. “He comes from a very good program and we expect him to come in and fill a roll immediately.”
John Rapisarda, a catcher for Brophy College Prep, was a 2011 All-Region Team Honorable Mention selection.
“John is a very athletic catcher,” said Stankiewicz. “He is extremely accurate behind the plate and brings an element of leadership with him to our program.”
Kyle Raidy, an outfielder from South Mountain Community College, hit .302 in 57 games with the Cougars last season.
“Kyle is a shut down centerfielder and brings team speed with great instincts both on the bases and in the outfield,” said Stankiewicz. “He will be a spark plug at the top of the lineup. We are excited to have him in our program.”
“I can’t say enough about the hard work my entire coaching staff put in to this class,” said Stankiewicz. “Nathan Choate, Ryan Ruiz, Ryan Cisterna and Braden Wells have been tremendous assets to the program since they came onboard last summer. They continue to raise the bar for what we want to achieve for GCU baseball.”
The 2012 season will officially being on Feb. 3, when Mesa State visits Brazell Stadium in Phoenix for a four-game series.
“We are excited to announce our early signees for the 2013 season,” said head coach Andy Stankiewicz. “As part of our inaugural recruiting class, we wanted to identify the top local talent and keep them in state. This group will bring great skill and competiveness to the program, as well as high academic achievement. Each player has a G.P.A above 3.0. We are extremely excited to have these young men join our tradition rich program.”
Jaren Drummond, a left-handed pitcher with Perry, was a 2011 Honorable Mention All-Region selection. He also was a member of the 2011 Junior Sunbelt team. He was 5-3 with a 3.70 ERA as a junior.
“Jaren is a very aggressive lefty that shows athleticism on the mound,” said Stankiewicz. “We are excited with what Jaren brings to our program.”
Houston Edwards, a pitcher with Coronado, was First Team All-Region in 2011.
“Houston has plus arm strength,” added Stankiewicz. “He has been 90-92 mph this summer and we look forward to getting him in our program. He has a lot of upside.”
Tommy Harding, a right-handed pitcher with Sabino, was a 2011 Second Team All-Southern Arizona selection.
“Tommy has a chance to be a front of the rotation guy,” said Stankiewicz. “He is a big athletic right-hander with a lot of sink.”
Hunter Herdt, a right-handed pitcher from Chandler-Gilbert Community College, was 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA in seven games last season.
“Hunter is a strike thrower that has a chance to help us immediately,” added Stankiewicz. “He is an upper 80’s guy that commands the bottom half of the strike zone. We are thrilled to have Hunter join the GCU program.”
Garrett Jeffries, an outfielder/pitcher with Mesquite, is a two-time East Valley Tribune First Team selection, First Team All-State outfielder and was a member of the 2011 Junior Sunbelt team. Jeffries hit .509 with six home runs and 43 RBI as a junior.
“Garrett is a very good athlete that will have a chance to be a two-way guy for us,” said Stankiewicz. “He is one of the best hitters in the state.”
Andrew Naderer, a left-handed pitcher/outfielder with Arcadia, was the 2011 East Sky Region Pitcher of the Year. Naderer was 8-2 with a 1.74 ERA in 12 games as a junior. He was also a member of the 2011 Junior Sunbelt team.
“Andrew has tremendous upside,” said Stankiewicz. “He is a lengthy left-hander that has a lot of potential. He is one of the better southpaws in the state.”
Paul Panaccione, an infielder with Liberty, was a First Team 4A Skyline Region selection as a junior. Panaccione was a also a member of the 2010 USSSA Winter Nationals 18U Championship team. He was an accomplished football player in high school as well, being named t0 the Arizona All-State First Team.
“Paul is a tremendous athlete, which is evident in his baseball accolades and all-state football selection,” added Stankiewicz. “He will bring a high level of intensity and competitiveness to our program.”
Malcolm Purdy, a right-handed pitcher from Chandler-Gilbert Community College, pitched in 14 games for the Coyotes last season.
“Malcolm will bring extremely valuable experience to GCU baseball,” said Stankiewicz. “He comes from a very good program and we expect him to come in and fill a roll immediately.”
John Rapisarda, a catcher for Brophy College Prep, was a 2011 All-Region Team Honorable Mention selection.
“John is a very athletic catcher,” said Stankiewicz. “He is extremely accurate behind the plate and brings an element of leadership with him to our program.”
Kyle Raidy, an outfielder from South Mountain Community College, hit .302 in 57 games with the Cougars last season.
“Kyle is a shut down centerfielder and brings team speed with great instincts both on the bases and in the outfield,” said Stankiewicz. “He will be a spark plug at the top of the lineup. We are excited to have him in our program.”
“I can’t say enough about the hard work my entire coaching staff put in to this class,” said Stankiewicz. “Nathan Choate, Ryan Ruiz, Ryan Cisterna and Braden Wells have been tremendous assets to the program since they came onboard last summer. They continue to raise the bar for what we want to achieve for GCU baseball.”
The 2012 season will officially being on Feb. 3, when Mesa State visits Brazell Stadium in Phoenix for a four-game series.
Thursday, June 11
Friday, June 05
Monday, June 01
Saturday, May 16