The Youngstown State baseball staff was busy on the recruiting trail over the summer, and its efforts resulted in 13 additions to the 2013-14 roster.
The group of 13 comes after three student-athletes signed in the fall, bringing the total number of newcomers on the Penguins' roster to 16. Included in the recent group are five pitchers, four infielders, two catchers, one outfielder and a utility player who can pitch and play in the infield.
"We went much farther into the summer finalizing the 2013 class than we would have hoped, but the talent level and baseball savvy of this incoming class shows a great deal of promise," Youngstown State head coach Steve Gillispie said. "This group, coupled with our fall 2012 signees, has filled our immediate needs, and Coach Jason Neal and Coach Kevin Smallcomb deserve a great deal of credit for their efforts. We are very excited to start our fall workouts next week."
The group of pitchers includes five right-handers and one left-hander, and four of them are transfers from junior colleges in California. The two incoming freshmen are both righties from the Youngstown area - Ryan Smith from Hubbard High and Kevin Yarabinec from Sharpsville High. The junior college transfers are right-handers Anthony Konders, Kurt Laver and Brendan Shoemake and left-hander Austin Lujano. Laver can also play in the infield.
"These incoming student-athletes will add solid depth and versatility to our pitching staff," Gillispie said. "There will be a great deal of competition for the spots in the rotation, and we feel like we have added some velocity to our ability to attack hitters."
The group of infielders includes three incoming freshmen and two junior college transfers. The freshmen are middle infielders Lorenzo Arcuri and Alex Larivee and first baseman Ryan Cordova. In addition to Laver, Brent Gillespie is also a junior college transfer.
"We have added a nice blend of JC transfers and High School seniors to shore up our infield defense," Gillispie said. "They all possess athleticism and a very good feel for the game."
Both of YSU's incoming catchers are junior college transfers. Jake Fryman is a Dayton, Ohio, native who is a transfer from Delgado Community College, and Jake Ross has transferred from Tacoma Community College.
"The addition of these two junior college transfers gives us the opportunity to be as good defensively as any group I have coached in 27 years," Gillispie said. "They all have shown ability to play elsewhere on the field, as well."
The lone outfielder joining the team is Anthony Rohan, an incoming freshman from Ursuline High in Youngstown.
"Our outfield defense is an area where we return several from last year's roster," Gillispie said. "That core group is one we are very happy with, but the addition of Anthony Rohan only makes it better and more versatile."
The three players who signed in the fall of 2012 were left-handed pitcher Joe King and infielders Matt Sullivan and Shane Willoughby.
Below is a complete list of newcomers on the 2013-14 Youngstown State baseball team:
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
B/T |
Hometown/Last School |
| Lorenzo Arcuri |
IF |
6-0 |
180 |
R/R |
Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit HS |
| Ryan Cordova |
IF |
6-1 |
200 |
R/R |
Whittier, Calif./La Serna HS |
| Jake Fryman |
C |
6-2 |
220 |
R/R |
Dayton, Ohio/Delgado JC |
| Brent Gillespie |
IF |
6-2 |
190 |
L/R |
Pennville, Calif./Santa Rosa JC |
| Joe King |
P/IF |
6-0 |
185 |
L/L |
Woodbridge, Va./C.D. Hylton HS |
| Anthony Konders |
RHP |
6-4 |
190 |
R/R |
Torrance, Calif./Harbor College |
| Alex Larivee |
IF |
6-1 |
185 |
R/R |
Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit HS |
| Kurt Laver |
P/IF |
6-0 |
185 |
R/R |
Chico, Calif./Mendocino College |
| Austin Lujano |
LHP |
6-0 |
175 |
L/L |
Reno, Nev./Mendocino College |
| Anthony Rohan |
OF |
5-10 |
185 |
R/R |
Youngstown, Ohio/Ursuline HS |
| Jake Ross |
C |
6-1 |
190 |
R/R |
Black Diamond, Wash./Tacoma CC |
| Brendan Shoemake |
RHP |
6-5 |
205 |
R/R |
La Canada Flintridge, Calif./Santa Barbara CC |
| Ryan Smith |
RHP |
6-3 |
185 |
R/R |
Hubbard, Ohio/Hubbard HS |
| Matt Sullivan |
IF |
6-4 |
195 |
R/R |
Centerville, Ohio/Sinclair CC |
| Shane Willoughby |
IF |
5-9 |
170 |
R/R |
Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence HS |
| Kevin Yarabinec |
RHP |
6-3 |
190 |
R/R |
Sharpsville, Pa./Sharpsville Area |
