STEPHENVILLE ? Tarleton head baseball coach Bryan Conger has announced the signings of nine junior college transfers and one high school senior to play for the Texans beginning next season.
“We are extremely excited about these young men having committed to join our program,” Conger said. “The overall athletic ability of this class is something that (assistant coach) Nate (Schlieman) and I are excited about bringing into our program and feel that they will provide us with a huge step forward next season.”
Conger adds six pitchers to the mix next season with the signing of Lamar Community College products Mike Ramirez and Brandon Van Riper; Ryan Salt of Trinidad State College; Cisco Junior College transfers Nate Lewis and Colt Molloy; and Brandyn Greer out of Tyler Junior College.
“The thing that is most exciting about this crop of pitchers is their overall arm strength,” Conger said. Five of the six players can throw above 90 mph. Just as important is their ability to throw quality strikes and their ability to end at bats. They have all been very successful in high school and junior college and we anticipate that to continue here.”
The Texans add two catchers to the 2110 roster as well with the signings of Andrew Kapple out of Trinidad State College and Mark Jeffery out of Western Texas College.
“It's rare in recruiting when you get exactly who you want, but we were very fortunate and could not be more excited about the combo of Andrew and Mark,”Conger said. “Both are true catchers with different physical abilities but most importantly they have the personality we were looking for in that position.”
Zane Hensley, a first baseman out of Ranger Junior College, also signed with Tarleton on Thursday.
”Zane will provide an immediate left handed presence in the middle of our line up next year,” Conger said. “He is very athletic for a big kid and has one of the best approaches at the plate we saw this spring.”
Christopher Patton, the lone high school signee this spring for the Texans, signs a national leter-of-intent to play for Tarleton after playing high school baseball at Converse Judson in San Antonio.
“Chris is an outstanding athlete who is going to end up having a tremendous career here,” Conger said. “His combination of size and speed are exactly what we were looking for in a high school outfielder.”
Below is a list of the new players along with their junior college/high school stats.
? Mike Ramirez ? RHP (Lamar CC): 6-1, 190, R/R (Velocity: 88-91)
Hometown - Gallup, N.M.
Current Stats - 3-3, 3.50 ERA, 43.2 IP, 58 K's
? Brandon Van Riper ? RHP (Lamar CC): 6-3, 180, R/R (Velocity: 88-92)
Hometown ? Farmington, N.M.
Current Stats ? 4-1, 2.64 ERA, 44.1 IP, 44 K's
? Ryan Salt ? RHP (Trinidad St. College): 6-3, 170, R/R (Velocity: 87-91)
Hometown ? Colorado Springs, C.O.
Current Stats - 8-2, 3.95 ERA, 57.33 IP, 56 K's
? Andrew Kapple? C (Trinidad St. College): 6-0 200, R/R
Hometown ? Greeley, C.O.
Current Stats - .450, BA, 14 2B, 4 HR, .740 SLG, .525 OBP
? Nate Lewis? RHP (Cisco JC): 6-0, 180, R/R (Velocity: 87-90)
Hometown ? Burlington, Ontario
Current Stats ? 2-1, 3.07 ERA, 29.1 IP, 36 K's
? Colt Molloy? LHP (Cisco JC): 6-0, 185, L/L (Velocity: 80-83 change-up)
Hometown ? Memphis, TX
Current Stats - 4.97 ERA, 29.0 IP, 23 K's
? Mark Jeffery- C (Western Texas College): 5-11, 205, R/R
Hometown ? Whitby, Ontario
Current Stats - .311 BA, 23 H, 3 HR, 17 RBI
? Brandyn Greer ? LHP (Tyler JC): 5-11, 175, L/L (Velocity: 86-90)
Hometown ? Ft. Worth, TX
Current Stats ? 7-2, 4.26 ERA, 61.3 IP, 56 K's
? Zane Hensley ? 1B (Ranger College): 6-1, 240, L/L
Hometown ? Florence, TX
Current Stats - .450 BA, 5HR, 37, RBI
? Christopher Patton ? OF (Judson Sr. HS): 6-0, 180, L/L
Hometown ? Universal City, TX
Current Stats - .412 BA, 20 SB
2008 Fall Signees:
Junior Dishmey- SS 5'11” 190 lbs S/R Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Josimar Cubila-RHP 6'1” 190 lbs R/R San Migulito, Panama FB Velo: 89-93
Nate Hillie-SS 6'0” 180lbs R/R Austin, TX
