By: By Jake Dorow
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State head coach
Mike Sansing announced seven baseball student-athletes signed their National Letters of Intent to enroll and play for the Owls next season. The class, which includes five position players and two pitchers, has five coming from the state of Georgia.
"I felt like in our recruiting efforts we address specific needs that we were looking for," said Sansing. "We are very excited about the class and thankful for the young men and their families for their belief in Kennesaw State, in the baseball program and the University. We are excited to see them grow here."
The 2018 signing class features RHP Jared Rine, RHP Brendan Bickleman, utility player Tyler Tolve, OF Alex Carballo, INF Ryan Smith, OF Austin Moody and C Darius Diaz.
Below is a bio on each signee and their accomplishments.
2018 Kennesaw State Baseball Incoming Class:
Jared Rine | RHP | 6''3/180 | Hillgrove High School
Jared is a RHP out of Hillgrove High School where he plays for Head Coach David Richardson, whom he helped lead to the 2017 GHSA 7A Sweet 16 while garnering First Team All-State Honors. In the Summer, Jared had the distinction of playing for one of the nation's most elite travel team, Team Elite Prime, managed by Brad Bouras. Jared is ranked as one of the top 500 players in the country as well as one of the top pitchers in the State of Georgia.
Coach Sansing on Rine
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Jared is a player that first opened our Coaching staffs' eyes the Summer after his sophomore year in High School and then again at our Prospect Camp last January. His present stuff is special with a FB in the low 90's to compliment 2 very advanced secondary pitches, but it may be his command that sets him apart most from pitchers his age."
Brendan Bickleman | RHP | 6'2/185 | Bob Jones High School
Brendon is a RHP out of Bob Jones High School in Madison Alabama where he plays for Head Coach Jared Smith. Brendan is ranked as one of the top 500 players in the country as well as one of the top pitchers in the state of Alabama.
Coach Sansing on Bickleman
"Brendan is a player who is very talented already possessing a FB in the low 90's to go along with a wipeout slider. Given his athleticism, work ethic, and room to still grow, it may be his tremendous upside that excites our staff most. Like the rest of this class, Brendan is a super young man who has a history of excelling just as much in the classroom and community as on the field ."
Tyler Tolve | C/INF/OF | 6'1/185 | Sprayberry High School
Tyler is a C/INF/OF from Sprayberry High School where he plays for Head Coach Taylor Hightower. In addition, Tolve is also a member of Danny Pralgo's distinguished 643 Travel organization. He is rated as one of the top 400 players in the country in addition to being one of the top 50 catchers nationally and top 10 in the state of Georgia.
Coach Sansing on Tolve
"Tyler was one of the first commitments in the 2018 class and he is the perfect embodiment of what we look for in a student athlete. He excels not only on the baseball field but also in the classroom and community. In addition, Tyler is the quintessential example of a leader in every sense of the word. We couldn't be more excited to have someone of his ability and character becoming apart of our program."
Alex Carballo | OF | 6'0/185 | Broward Community College
Alex is originally from Pembroke Pines, Fla., and the vaunted Archbishop McCarthy High School. He now plays for Head Coach Ben Bizier at Broward Community College where he was named All-Conference as a freshman after amassing a .330 batting average with 18 extra base hits and 15 stolen bases.
Coach Sansing on Carballo
"Alex is an exciting piece to the 2018 Recruiting Class. The way he plays the game and approaches his business will remind many Owl fans of former Owl center fielder, Bo Way, who is now in Triple A with the Los Angeles Angels. His competitiveness and ability make Alex one of the top Junior College players in the country and we are excited and blessed he chose KSU to continue his education and baseball career."
Ryan Smith | INF | 6'2/150 | Spalding High School
Ryan is an INF from Spalding High School in Griffin, Georgia, where he played for Head Coach Sal Argila. In addition, Ryan spends his Summers playing for Mark Mortimer and Recardo Billups with Big Styx Baseball. He is rated as one of the top 500 players in the country and one of the top infielders in the state of Georgia.
Coach Sansing on Smith
"Ryan is a great addition to the 2018 Recruiting class not just for his abilities but because of his High Baseball IQ as well. He combines the unique triple threat of present ability, tremendous upside, and high baseball IQ which will no doubt make him successful in the Black and Gold. He is also a wonderful young man to be around and we are excited to see what the future holds for him."
Austin Moody | OF | 6'2/200 | Locust Grove High School
Austin is an OF out of Locust Grove High School Head Coached by Steve Phillips. In 2017, Moody helped Locust Grove to a State Championship. He plays his Summer Baseball for Walker Searcy's Homeplate Organization. In addition, Moody is also ranked as one of the top 500 players in the country along with being one of the top 10 outfielders in the State of Georgia.
Coach Sansing on Moody
"Austin possesses that highly sought-after mix of strength, speed, and athleticism. Combine those ingredients with his competitiveness, winning pedigree, and character and Austin is a great addition to the 2018 Class and will be an exciting player to watch at Stillwell Stadium for years to come."
Darius Diaz | C | 6'0/190 | Perth Amboy High School
Darius is a catcher from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, who plays at Perth Amboy High School under the leadership of Head Coach Alex Perez. Darius is ranked as one of the top 500 players in the country, top 75 catchers in the country, and rated No. 1 catcher out of the state of New Jersey.
Coach Sansing on Diaz
"Darius was the first commitment of the 2018 class and helped pave the way for what has turned out to be a tremendous class full of players who are highly competitive that possess high character and excel in the classroom and on the baseball field. Darius is the type of guy that set the tone for this class and he is a leader who will have a huge impact on this program both on and off the field"
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State baseball news follow the team on Twitter@KSUOwlNation and@KSUOwlsBaseball or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
- #GoKSUOwls -
WALK-ON GUYS TO BE RELEASED AT TIME OF SPRING SIGNING PERIOD
Bowen Bock RHP 6'5/185 West Forsyth High School
Bowen is a RHP out of West Forsyth High School where he plays for Head Coach Mike Pruitt. He is a former teammate of current KSU Owl Tyler Simon as both played for Game On Stealth with Tyler's Dad Derek Simon. Bowen is ranked as one of the top 500 Players in the country and is in the top 40 pitchers in the state of Georgia.
Coach Sansing on Bock
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Bowen is another arm in this year's class with a tremendously high ceiling. He has the capability of one day being a frontline starter for us. His FB already reaches 90 MPH but we truly believe that is just the tip of the iceberg for him. Combine his baseball ability with his academic achievement and he is another perfect fit for our program.
Nick Colina OF/INF 6'2/170 North Paulding High School
Nick is an INF/OF out of North Paulding High School where he plays for Head Coach Dennis Jordan and helped lead their 2017 Team to the Final 4. In the Summer Nick plays for arguably the most elite Academic Travel Team in the Country the East Cobb Patriots under the direction of Jim Lovejoy. Colina is ranked as one of the top 1000 players in the country.
Coach Sansing on Colina
"Nick is a tremendous addition to the 2018 class. He is a pure hitter who has the ability to grow into a force within the Owl lineup over the course of his career. Like many of the others in the 2018 class Nick really excels in the classroom and that intelligence spills over onto the baseball field as well"
Logan Fink INF/OF 6'3/190 Tattnall Square High School
Logan is a Corner INF/OF from Tattnall Square High School where he plays for Head Coach Joey Hiller. This fall he had the distinction of playing for one of the most premier teams in the country as he suited up for the East Cobb Yankees. Logan is ranked as one of the top 400 players in the country and the 4
th rated 1B in the state of Georgia.
Coach Sansing on Fink
"Logan is another player that brings that unique combination of power and speed to this year's Recruiting Class. It isn't very often you see a player of his size that also is as athletic and possesses as much power. As seems to be the theme with this year's class, Logan also really excels in the classroom sporting a 4.0 GPA as well."
Garrison Hurd OF South Georgia State Community College
Garrison is an OF from South Georgia State Community College where he plays for Head Coach Jeff Timothy. As a freshman he hit 311 with 12 XBH and 14 stolen bases. In High School Hurd attended Glynn Academy where he also excelled as a FB player garnering a bunch of college football offers as well.
Coach Sansing on Hurd
"Garrison will bring a ton of experience and leadership to our program. He is a very dynamic player who possesses the coveted power/speed combo which will prove to be a tremendous asset to our team. His football background also gives him a toughness and competitiveness that is 2nd to none."
