Sea Lions Announce Large Recruiting Class

 

August 17 - PLNU Head Coach Joe Schaefer announced his 2010 recruits on Monday. The 13-member class consists of six prep players and seven college transfers. The newcomers are expected to immediately contribute to a Sea Lion squad that is coming off the best season in the program’s history which includes a runner up finish at the NAIA College World Series.

 

Jack Diamond

5’10”

175

L/R

OF/LHP

Paradise Valley, AZ

Chaparral HS

 

Jack comes to Point Loma via Chaparral HS in Scottsdale, AZ. where he was a three year varsity player.  Jack hit .370 with 13 2B, 1 3B, and 2 HR his senior season.  He also drove in 30 RBI’s and stole 3 bases.  He was named a first-team 4A1 Desert Sky Region selection.  As a junior, Jack helped lead the Firebirds to the 4A-1 state championship.  On the mound, Jack was 2-0 with a 4.10 ERA.  This fall, he was named to the ArizonaDiamondReport.com’s Top 50 prospects in the state of Arizona for the 2009 class.  In 2007, he was a member of the Mickey Mantle AZ State champions.  Jack is also a great student who brings in a 3.6 GPA.

 

Coach Schaefer said, “Jack is a quality player, both in the outfield and on the mound.  He has good speed and a great swing.  He should be able to step in and contribute immediately.  We are looking forward to having Jack here for the next few years.”

 

JJ Reading

6’0”

175

R/R

INF/OF

San Diego, CA

Torrey Pines HS

 

JJ comes to Point Loma from local Torrey Pines HS where he has been a standout baseball and soccer player.  After sitting out his junior season due to injury, JJ stormed back as a senior hitting .393 with 9 2B and 7 HR, 26 RBI 12 stolen bases.  He was named a first-team All-Avocado League selection.  In 2007, as a sophomore, JJ led the Palomar League in batting average when he hit .500.  He also drove in 18 RBI with 5 2B, 2 3B, and 1 HR on his way to being named second-team All-Palomar League.  JJ has also been a four-year varsity starter in soccer for the Falcons and was recruited by many DI schools. He will be a member of the Sea Lion soccer program this fall.  He is a three time first-team All-Palomar League performer on the soccer field and was also named All-North County.  He was an All-CIF Breitbard Athlete his senior yearOff the field JJ has been involved in his community as well helping out with the Miracle League and getting involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  JJ has also been a three year member of the California Scholarship Federation and brings in a 3.7 GPA.

 

Coach Schaefer said, “JJ is a very quality athlete.  He is one of the better players in San Diego and we are looking forward to getting him here next year.  He is very versatile.  He has excellent speed and a great swing.  I see JJ doing very well in this conference.”

 

Marshall Kennebrew

6’1”

215

R/R

OF

Carson City, NV

Western Nevada CC

 

Marshall comes to Point Loma from Western Nevada College in Carson City, NV.  Marshall led the Wildcats in hitting in 2008, batting .379 as a freshman.  He also drove in 20 RBI with 9 2B, 1 3B, and 1 HR and helped WNC to a 38-20 record and a berth in the Region XVIII playoffs.  One of his biggest games of the season came against College of Southern Idaho in the Region XVIII playoffs where Marshall went 3-for-4 with a 3B, 4 RBI’s, and a SB on route to a 12-4 victory.  This past season, Marshall hit .235 with 5 SB.  He helped lead the Wildcats to a Scenic West Conference Championship and an appearance in the NJCAA World Series.  The Wildcats finished the season with a 48-14 record.  Marshall prepped at powerhouse Green Valley HS in Las Vegas, NV.  His senior season he batted .288 with 7 2B and 3 HR.

 

Coach Schaefer said, “Marshall is a big, strong kid that is going to do very well in our conference.  He can play both corner outfield spots well and should be a mainstay in the middle of our lineup.   He has a great swing and an even better approach.  I am looking forward to getting Marshall down here next year.” 

 

Sam Ofield

5’11”

175

L/R

C

Houston, TX

Bellaire HS

 

Sam comes to Point Loma from one of the top high school programs in the country, Bellaire HS in Houston, TX.  This past season, Sam led the Cardinals to a 33-4 record and the team was ranked as high as 1st in the nation this season by Baseball America.  Sam was named a first-team District 20-5A selection as a DH.  As a junior at Bellaire, Sam was named second-team District 20-5A.  He helped lead the Cardinals to a 39-8 record and a semifinal appearance in the 5A state tournament.  It was the school’s 10th appearance in the tournament.  Sam is also very involved in the community.  He is the general manager of the Bellaire Men’s Club in Bellaire, TX where he and other male juniors and seniors help out the community of Bellaire and the Southwest Houston area by offering their services for charity and other worthy causes.  Sam is also a great student bringing in a 3.0 GPA.

 

Coach Schaefer said, “Sam is a very solid player.  He comes from one of the top high school programs in the country and knows how to win.  He is very good behind the dish and brings a solid left handed stroke at the plate.  I project him to help us out immediately and develop into one of the top catchers in the conference.”

 

            

Justin Weststeyn

6’4”

170

R/R

RHP

St. Louis, MO

Westminster Christian Academy

 

Justin comes to Point Loma from Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, MO where he spent time at a RHP and utility infielder. Justin tossed 36 innings last season and struck out 54 while recording a 1.17 ERA.  As a junior for the Wildcats, Justin went 6-0 on the mound posting an astounding 0.56 ERA in 25 IP.  He held his opponents to a measly .154 batting average.  He also hit .325 at the plate with 2 HR and 30 runs scored.  He was tabbed as a MHSBCA Class 3 second-team all-state selection.  He is looking to have an even better season this year on one of the more exciting teams in Missouri.  Justin is also an outstanding student bringing in a 4.3 GPA.

 

Coach Schaefer said, “Justin has the potential to be a very good pitcher at this level.  He has a great pitcher’s frame and a long easy arm action.  He throws 3 pitches for strikes and will gain velocity with maturity.  I see Justin giving us some quality innings on the mound next year and growing into the type of pitcher that will be very successful in the GSAC.”

 

Tyler Nordgren

5’8”

165

R/R

INF

San Diego, CA

Madison HS

 

Tyler comes to Point Loma from nearby Madison HS in San Diego.  This past season Tyler hit .413 with 16 2B, 6 3B, and 1 HR.  In addition he drove in 35 runs and stole 5 bases on his way to being named first-team All-Western League.  He led the Warhawks to a 20-15 record and an appearance in the CIF San Diego Section DIV championship game.  Tyler had a tremendous season as a junior for the Warhawks, guiding them to a 20-8 record and a Central League championship.  On the year, Tyler hit .400 with 6 2b, 1 3B, and 23 RBI’s.  He also scored 22 runs and stole 11 bases on his way to being named Central League Player for the Year.  He was named second-team All-CIF San Diego Section for Division III.  Tyler returns to Madison this spring for another stellar season in his senior campaign.  He is an outstanding student, bringing in a 3.6 GPA.

 

Coach Schaefer said, “Tyler is a local kid that we have followed for many years.  He has developed into a very quality player and should become a very good college player.  He can play all three infield spots well and puts a very good stroke on the ball.  He runs well, thinks the game, and is a great teammate.  I think he has a very bright future at Point Loma.”

 

Allen Boyer

5’9

175

L/L

OF

San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College

 

Allen comes to Point Loma from nearby San Diego Mesa College.  This past season, as a sophomore at Mesa, Allen hit .299 with 15 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 41 runs and 24 stolen bases.  In conference play Allen hit .314 with a conference leading 17 SB.  As a freshman, Allen hit .377 with 7 2B, 4 3B, and 3 HR.  He tallied 10 SB and drove in 26 runs on the season.  In Pacific Coast Conference play, Allen led the conference with a batting average of .413.  He was named first-team All-PCC.  Allen prepped at Mount Carmel HS in San Diego where as a senior he hit .418 with 7 2B, 3 3B, and 7 HR to go along with 28 RBI’s on his way to being named first-team All-Palomar League.

 

Coach Schaefer said, “Allen is a proven player that has played in very good programs and conferences.  He is a prototypical leadoff hitter that can spray the ball all over the field, steal some bases, and run down every fly ball.  He has a pretty left handed stroke and is a very quality athlete.  Allen will definitely aid in the loss of our ’09 outfield.  He is going to do very well in the GSAC.

 

Rashad Taylor

6’4”

220

R/R

OF

San Francisco, CA

Lee University

 

Rashad comes to Point Loma after spending a red shirt year at Lee University (TN) due to injury.  Prior to Lee, Rashad had two very successful seasons at Skyline College in San Francisco.  As a freshman, Rashad hit .441 with 11 2B, 5 3B, and 10 HR.  He drove in 43 runs and stole 13 bases.  He was named to the Northern California all-state team and was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 35th round.  As a sophomore, Rashad hit .329 with 13 2B, 4 3B, and 2 HR.  He drove in 34 runs and stole 17 bases.  Out of Riordan HS in San Francisco, Rashad was a 44th round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays.

 

Coach Schaefer said,” Rashad is an extremely athletic kid.  He is big and strong and runs very well.  He has the ability to put up some big numbers offensively in this conference.  I anticipate Rashad being a mainstay in the middle of our lineup.  He will add to another outstanding defensive outfield in 2010.”

 

Greg Pellicci

5’10

180

L/L

LHP

Killingworth, CT

Santa Barbara City College

 

Greg comes to Point Loma from Santa Barbara City College where he spent the 2009 season as the Vaqueros closer.  This past season, Greg was 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA and 5 saves.  He led the Vaqueros with 23 appearances.  In 39 innings, Greg recorded 48 strikeouts with a .258 opponent’s batting average.  Prior to SBCC, Greg spent his freshman season at Southern Connecticut State University where he went 1-1 in 9 appearances.  He tallied a 4.34 ERA and recorded 20 strikeouts in 18 innings while limiting opposing hitters to a meager .194 average.

 

Coach Schaefer said,” Greg is an experienced pitcher with outstanding stuff from the left side.  He has a very good fastball and has big game experience.  He has experience as both a starter and closer and could see time in both roles for us this season.  We are extremely glad to add Greg to our pitching staff and anticipate him making huge contributions in 2010.”

 

 

Maurice Wilhelm

6’1”

210

R/R

RHP

Palos Verdes Est., CA

San Diego Mesa College

 

Mo comes to Point Loma after two successful seasons at nearby San Diego Mesa College.  As a freshman, Mo finished the season with a 1-1 record, 1 save and led the Olympians with a 1.29 ERA in 21 innings.  He recorded 10 strikeouts and walked only 3 in his 22 appearances.  As a sophomore, Mo went 3-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 12 appearances.  In 17 innings of work he recorded 16 strikeouts and held opposing hitters to a .231 average.  Prior to Mesa College, Mo spent a red shirt year at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, CA.

 

Coach Schaefer said,” We are very glad to add Mo to the pitching staff.  He is a proven pitcher with bullpen experience.  He has a good fastball and brings a little different look that will be tough on opposing hitters.  He is going to add to a very deep pitching staff in 2010.”

 

Oliver Craig

6’4”

170

R/R

RHP

Scottsdale, AZ

Chaparral HS

 

Oliver comes to Point Loma from Chaparral HS in Scottsdale, AZ where he was a teammate of fellow recruit, Jack Diamond.  Oliver had a solid senior season, posting a 4-1record on the mound with 33 strikeouts in 24 innings.  He was named a second-team 4A1 Desert Sky region selection.

 

Coach Schaefer said, “Oliver is a very good pitcher from a very good program.  We are very excited to have Oliver on board.  He is a big, strong RHP with a good fastball.  He has a solid breaking ball and locates well.  Oliver has tremendous upside and I am looking forward to seeing him fill his potential over the next few years.”                  

 

 

Robby Ross

6’4”

190

L/L

LHP

Irvine, CA

Saddleback College

 

Robby comes to Point Loma after two tremendous seasons at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA.  This past season as a sophomore, Robby went 9-4 with a 3.26 ERA.  He recorded a team high 105 innings pitched and struck out 42 while recording four complete games.  He was a first-team All-Orange Empire selection, as well as a member of the All-Southern California State team.  As a freshman, Robby went 6-7 with a 3.18 ERA.  In 13 starts he struck out 47 in 90 innings pitched.  He was named a second-team All-Orange Empire selection and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 42nd round.

 

Coach Schaefer said, “Robby is a very good left handed pitcher who has yet to reach his potential.  He has similarities to a former Sea Lion, Andrew Bovich, who had a lot of success in the GSAC.  Robby has thrown in big games and is a ground ball machine.  He will be looked upon to fill a starting role on the mound and help bring GSAC championship back to Point Loma in 2010.”

 

Matt Suiter

6’0”

200

R/R

UTL

Kailua, HI

Punahou HS

 

Matt comes to Point Loma after spending a red shirt season at nearby University of San Diego.  As a senior at Punahou HS in Hawaii, Matt hit .476 with a .641 OBP and 28 runs scored.  He was named a first-team all-state player.  Matt helped the BuffnBlue to a 20-8 record and a Hawaii State Championship.

 

Coach Schaefer said, “Matt is a very good hitter with plus power.  He hits the ball the other way very well and knows how to win.  He can play multiple positions and will be competing for time in the outfield, as well as at DH.”

2009-2010 Commitments

Name	POS	HT	WT	Hometown	Prior School
Jack Diamond	OF/LHP	5’10”	175	Paradise Valley, AZ	Chaparral HS
JJ Reading	INF/OF	6’0”	175	San Diego, CA	Torrey Pines HS
Marshall Kennebrew	OF	6’2”	215	Las Vegas, NV	Western Nevada CC
Sam Ofield	C	5’11”	175	Houston, TX	Bellaire HS
Justin Weststeyn	RHP	6’4”	170	Ballwin, MO	Westminster Christ. Acad.
Tyler Nordgren	INF	5’8”	165	San Diego, CA	Madison HS
Allen Boyer	OF	5’9”	175	San Diego, CA	San Diego Mesa College
Rashad Taylo	OF	6’4”	220	San Francisco, CA	Lee University
Greg Pellicci	LHP	5’10”	180	Killingworth, CT	Santa Barbara CC
Maurice Wilhelm	RHP	6’1”	210	PV Estates, CA	San Diego Mesa College
Oliver Craig	RHP	6’4”	170	Scottsdale, AZ	Chaparral HS
Robby Ross	LHP	6’4”	190	Irvine, CA	Saddleback College
Matt Suiter	UTL	6’0”	200	Kailua, HI	USD