EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville head baseball coach Wes Carroll announced the signing of six players to National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their athletic and academic careers at Evansville. The Purple Aces’ signing class includes a pair of pitchers and four position players, who will join the UE baseball team for the 2014 season.
“I would like to thank Coach Bachmann, Coach Pascoe and Coach Fick for all of their efforts in putting together another great recruiting class here at UE,” Carroll said. “As we graduate a talented group of young men both on the field and in the classroom, I believe we have put together a very good class that will continue to push this program forward. I look forward to the future here at Evansville with these young men competing in the Missouri Valley Conference.”
The 2014 UE baseball signing class includes: Brian Jestice (Hoffman Estates, Ill./William Fremd), Sam Lee (Mt. Sterling, Ky./Montgomery County), Tyler Sullivan (Avon, Ohio/Holy Name), Brett Synek (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North), Jimmy Ward (Hanover Park, Ill./Hoffman Estates) and Devin Williams (New Lenox, Ill./Providence Catholic).
BRIAN JESTICE, 6-2, RHP, R/R, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL./WILLIAM FREMD
Notable: A two-year letterwinner for head coach Chris Piggott at William Fremd High School…ranked as the #11 pitcher in the state of Illinois by Prep Baseball Report…led the Vikings to a Mid Suburban League West championship and a runner-up finish in the IHSA Regional championship game…posted a 5-1 record with a 1.52 ERA and a .170 batting average against…played for the McHenry County Hurricanes travel team under head coach Mike Williams.
Coach Bachmann on Jestice: “Brian has come a long way in a short period of time. He has a power arm to go along with good body control on the mound. We look forward to developing skills as it will be fun to watch him progress over the coming years.”
SAM LEE, 5-9, OF, L/R, MT. STERLING, KY./MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Notable: A standout at Montgomery County High School under head coach Jonathan Hackett…led the Indians offensively as a freshman and sophomore and has led the team in stolen bases in each of his first three seasons as a prep…hit .413 as a freshman, .436 as a sophomore and .403 as a junior…four-year academic all-state honoree…played for the Midland Braves summer league team in 2011 for head coach Gary Simon…helped Midland to a runner-up finish at the 16U Perfect Game BCS Finals, hitting .500…Midland was ranked as the #16 team in the nation by Perfect Game that season…played for the Huntington Hounds summer team under head coach Caleb Stewart in 2012…helped the Hounds to a 18U Pastime Wood Bat National championship…hit .328 with 18 RBI and 20 stolen bases for Huntington.
Coach Carroll on Lee: “Sam is the perfect fit for our style of play here. He is a very competitive player with tremendous tools that will be a staple in our lineup for years to come. He has great baseball instincts and I’m excited to see him on campus next fall.”
TYLER SULLIVAN, 6-0, UTL, S/R, AVON, OHIO/HOLY NAME
Notable: Standout at Holy Name High School under head coach Dennis Markiewicz…first-team all-conference selection…2011-12 Perfect Game Preseason All-American…led Holy Name to the Ohio High School State Final Four in 2011…played for the Midwest Pelicans summer team for head coach Neall French…helped the Pelicans to a 2012 Perfect Game WWBA National Championship and was named to the all-tournament team…hit .563 at the tournament ranking in the top 20 in batting average out of 3,000 players…played for the Midwest Redbirds summer team for head coach Brian Hopkins.
Coach Bachmann on Sullivan: “As a switch hitter, Tyler brings us added versatility in the ability to play in the infield or the outfield or even catch. We see him as the ‘glue guy’ of the class who gives us multiple lineup options. He is young for his class and has an athletic frame that will add even more strength as he matures. Tyler brings a ‘dirtbag’ mentality and a high baseball I.Q. that you love to have in your program.”
BRETT “BOOMER” SYNEK, 5-8, INF, L/R, NORTHBROOK, ILL./OAKTON CC
Notable: Transfer from Oakton Community College where he played under head coach Bill Fratto and helped the Raiders to a school-record 43 wins…named All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference First Team in 2012…hit .439 with 72 runs, 56 RBI and 22 stolen bases as a freshman at Oakton CC…three-year letterwinner for head coach Dominic Savino at Glenbrook North High School…led the Spartans to their first sectional title in 37 years and a 33-4 record as a senior…received the Central Suburban League Scholar-Athlete Award in 2011.
Coach Carroll on Synek: “Boomer is the big bat that we are looking for in this recruiting class. He has tremendous bat speed and power from the left side of the plate. I look forward to seeing his transition into the Missouri Valley Conference.”
JIMMY WARD, 6-2, RHP, R/R, HANOVER PARK, ILL./HOFFMAN ESTATES
Notable: Four-year letterwinner at Hoffman Estates High School for head coach Todd Meador…posted a 7-3 record with a 2.28 ERA and 61 strikeouts as a junior…played for the Illinois Sparks summer team for coaches Dave Payton, John McCarthy and John Cangelosi.
Coach Bachmann on Ward: “Jimmy is a projectable right-hand pitcher who has a bright future ahead of him. He repeats his delivery and shows good control of his fastball that compliments a plus slider. With his pitchability and competitiveness, we expect him to see immediate innings as a freshman.”
DEVIN WILLIAMS, 6-2, INF, R/R, NEW LENOX, ILL./PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC
Notable: Four-year letterwinner at Providence Catholic High School for head coach Mark Smith…led the Celtics to a sectional championship…also a standout football player, earning all-conference honors…played for the Chicago Elite summer league team for coaches Eric Welsh and Brian Forystek.
Coach Pascoe on Williams: “Devin is a tall, athletic shortstop who has excellent hands, smooth actions and the ability to make all the throws necessary to play shortstop at this level. In the batter’s box, he has the bat path and approach to become a force in the lineup. One of the most exciting things about Devin is his potential to become a leader for this program with hits work ethic and his competitiveness.”
