Marshall University Athletics
Baseball Lands Top-Notch Class for 2007 Season
11/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 17, 2005
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall baseball head coach Dave Piepenbrink has announced the signing of one of the top recruiting classes in school history with the addition of nine student-athletes for the 2006-07 school year.
Burke Baldwin (Elgin, Ill.), Nick Damas (Willow Springs, Ill.), Tyler Gatrell (Ashland, Ky.), Justin Hilt (Woodbury, N.J.), Sean Rigney (Lancaster, Pa.), Peter Thackston (Murray, Ky.), Joshua Valle (Brentwood, N.Y.), Joe Van Meter (Farmingdale, N.Y.) and Joe Witkowski (Middletown, Conn.) all have signed to join the Thundering Herd for the 2007 campaign.
"This is the best recruiting class we have had since I've been at Marshall, bar none," Piepenbrink said. "We filled every need we had, except for a left-handed hitting outfielder, with these nine players.
"Our recruiting coordinator, Jim Koerner, worked extremely hard through the summer and fall identifying players and working to get them on campus, and having former major leaguer Rick Reed as our pitching coach and the move to Conference USA were factors as well."
The class includes four pitchers (two left-handed, two right-handed), two middle infielders, a first baseman, catcher and outfielder.
Player Breakdowns:
Burke Baldwin, LHP, 6-5, 220 (Elgin, Ill./Elgin CC)
24th-round draft pick (712th overall) in 2003 of Chicago White Sox ... throws in 87-89 mph range with good command of three pitches ... has continued to post outstanding numbers at junior college level with 4-2 record, 2.90 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched.
"Burke will definitely help us and our expectations are for him to at least come in and compete for a spot in the weekend rotation," Piepenbrink said. "He's probably the biggest signee that we've had in a few years on the mound. He's one of those guys that with Rick working with him daily, will mean a great deal. Jim did a great job recruiting him and getting him in here."
Nick Damas, CF, 6-1, 180 (Willow Springs, Ill./South Suburban CC)
Can play any of the outfield positions and possesses a strong throwing arm ... runs a 6.7 60-yard dash and also has some pop in his bat.
"With two of our outfield starters graduating, it was imperative for us to sign a player of Nick's ability," Piepenbrink said. "He possesses the speed and hitting ability to be a top of the order type of hitter. He should make an immediate impact on next year's team."
Tyler Gatrell, RHP, 6-0, 175 (Ashland, Ky./Boyd County High School)
Has one of the strongest arms and is one of the premier pitchers in the area ... consistently pitches between 86 and 89 mph and has topped out at 92 mph ... also an outstanding student with 4.2 GPA.
"We had the opportunity to see Tyler pitch on several occasions, including at the Tim Adkins Winner's Edge Showcase this fall," Piepenbrink said. "He is a recruiting steal for us and we expect him to do great things early in his career."
Justin Hilt, RHP, 6-2, 180 (Woodbury, N.J./West Deptford High School)
Posted outstanding numbers as junior, with 9-0 record, 1.74 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 44 innings ... named first-team all-county, first-team All-South Jersey and third-team all-state ... also was runner-up for Colonial Conference player of the year honors ... consistently pitches in 85-88 mph range ... carries 3.2 GPA.
"We think Justin will be a great fit here," Piepenbrink said. We're looking forward to seeing him in a Herd uniform."
Sean Rigney, LHP, 5-11, 170 (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township High School)
Led high school team in junior year with 5-1 record while posting a 3.08 ERA and striking out over a batter an inning (29 K in 25 IP) ... has good command of four pitches and throws 84-86 mph.
"Sean fills an important need for our pitching staff," Piepenbrink said. "We know we're going to lose at least two left handers going into next year, so it was critical for us to bring in a guy to fill the void immediately. Sean throws strikes and has the ability to get batters out at the Conference USA level."
Peter Thackston, 1B, 6-2, 220 (Murray, Ky./Calloway County High School)
Possesses bat speed of 94-96 mph, which would place him in top five of the current team ... originally from the Huntington area, he is the son of Pete Thackston, one of top pitchers to ever come out of Huntington.
"Peter is a middle of the order type of hitter," Piepenbrink said. "He will spend this summer working out with Tim Adkins and playing for his Huntington Hounds team."
Joshua Valle, IF, 6-1, 180 (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood High School)
Versatile and talented infielder ... expected to settle in at second base for the Herd ... left-handed hitter with ability to drive the ball to all fields and tremendous plate discipline and bat speed ... defensively, he has soft hands and possesses the arm strength to play any position.
"Over the past two years, Jim has had the opportunity to see Joshua play on many occasions and never left disappointed," Piepenbrink said. "With the loss of our left-handed hitters, it was critical for us to fill that void."
Joe Van Meter, IF, 6-2, 175 (Farmingdale, N.Y./St. Dominic's High School)
Hit .458 with 22 RBI and slugging percentage of .580 as junior ... in field, made just five errors in 22 games ... right-handed hitter that is expected to blossom into middle of the order player with ability to hit for average and power ... has great arm strength and has been clocked off the mound at 87 mph.
"Joe is the type of athlete that any C-USA program would be lucky to have playing the middle infield," Piepenbrink said. "We expect him to make an immediate impact."
Joe Witkowski, C, 6-2, 210 (Middletown, Conn./Xavier High School)
One of best defensive catchers in the Northeast ... possesses major league arm strength (clocked at 94 mph off mound) and has ability to shut down any running game ... offensively, is expected to further develop into a power threat and run producer ... also has good speed for player of his size, clocking 7.0 in the 60-yard dash.
"We are extremely excited to have landed a player of Joe's ability and potential," Piepenbrink said. "We look for him to have a tremendous four-year career and beyond."
