Jordon Banfield era begins with first group of newcomers
ROCHESTER, Mich. – New Oakland baseball Head Coach Jordon Banfield begins a new era for the program with the addition Brooks Asher, Drew Collins, Bryce Konitzer, Gabe Lux, Jared Miller, Will Nigut, Ben Paugh, Brenton Phillips, Petey Taylor and Jacob Wosinski as a part of the 2021 recruiting class.
“I couldn’t be more excited to announce our first group of signees. I want to thank Coach Dan McKinney for his tireless work assembling this class and recruiting individuals that are committed to the core values of our baseball program,” said Banfield. “We set out to add more left-handed depth, both on the mound and at the plate, along with athleticism which I’m certain this group will help us achieve that goal. In addition to their baseball abilities, this is a group of winning student-athletes and high academic achievers that will be tremendous representatives of our university,” added Banfield. “I cannot wait to get these young men on campus this fall and watch them compete.”
BROOKS ASHER – C
Previous School: Kansas
Hometown: Hastings, Neb.
High School: St. Cecilia
Highlights:
• Appeared in 53 games over a three-year span hitting .237 with 14 hits, three doubles, three RBI and 17 total bases at Kansas
• 2016-17 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
• Two-time Athletic Director’s & Big 12 Commissioner Honor Roll selection
DREW COLLINS – OF
Hometown: Oregon, Ohio
High School: Oregon Clay
Highlights:
• Three-time letter winner for Head Coach Jim Phillips
• First-Team All-Conference as a senior, Second-Team All-Conference as a junior
• 11th ranked outfielder in Ohio as a junior
BRYCE KONITZER – RHP
Previous School: Madison College (Wisc.)
Hometown: Mukwonago, Wisc.
High School: Mukwonago
Highlights:
• Member of Illinois State team that won 2019 MVC Championship
• Three-time letter winner in baseball and four-year participant and two-time letter winner in basketball
• First-Team Classic 8 All-Conference, WBCA Honorable Mention All-State and First-Team All-Area selection as a senior in 2018
GABE LUX – UTIL
Previous School: Kirkwood CC (Iowa)
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
High School: Xavier
Highlights:
• Saw action in 50 games hitting .228 with 29 hits, 25 runs, 18 RBI, four doubles and a home run in two seasons at Kirkwood
• 2018 Unanimous MVC Class 4A Conference Player of the Year, First-Team All-State, First-Team All-MVC Conference, First-Team All-Metro and First-Team All-District at Xavier while leading the team to a conference championship
• Iowa All-Stars baseball selection
JARED MILLER – INF
Previous School: Lamar CC (Col.)
Hometown: Montrose, Col.
High School: Montrose
Highlights:
• Saw action in 69 games hitting .333 with 72 hits, 51 runs, 56 RBI, 29 walks, five home runs, 12 doubles and three triples in two-year span at Lamar CC.
• Recorded four RBI in three games during 2019 season
WILL NIGUT – RHP
Previous School: Kirkwood CC (Iowa)
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
High School: Roosevelt
Highlights:
• Made 14 appearances and two starts at Kirkwood recording 37.2 innings pitched with 25 strikeouts and 4.06 ERA
• 2019 and 2020 NJCAA Academic All-Region selection
• 2018 Perfect Game Honorable Mention and preseason All-American; Metro All-Conference and Honorable Mention setting Roosevelt school record for wins with 12
• 2017 and 2018 Metro Academic All-Conference selection
BEN PAUGH – RHP
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
High School: Whetstone
Highlights:
• Named First-Team All-City, All-District and Most Valuable Pitcher as a junior, All-State PBR and Preseason Honorable Mention during senior campaign and Second-Team All-City as a sophomore
• Helped lead Whetstone to three consecutive City Championships (2017, ’18, ’19)
• Class Valedictorian, Academic Hall of Fame and four-year Super Honor Roll selection
BRENTON PHILLIPS – OF
Previous School: Akron
Hometown: Albany, Ga.
High School: Lee County
Highlights:
• Started all 13 games in center field during COVID-19 shortened season at Akron
• Led the Zips in batting (.234), hits (11), home runs (2), RBI (7), doubles (2) and total bases (19)
• 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, Second-Team All-Conference and NJCAA Gold Glove Award recipient at Andrew College while hitting .326 with nine home runs, doubles and 34 stolen bases
PETEY TAYLOR – INF
Hometown: Jackson, Ohio
High School: Jackson
Highlights:
• Hit .354 with 28 runs scored, five doubles, 12 RBIs and 18 stolen bases during junior campaign
• Helped lead Jackson to sixth consecutive Federal League and District titles
JACOB WOSINSKI – RHP
Previous School: Akron
Home Town: Ada, Mich.
High School: Lowell
Highlights:
• Started second game against Oakland in the 2020 season opener going 3.2 innings with seven strikeouts
• 2019 Second-Team All-Conference selection appearing in 11 games with 10 starts as a sophomore at Grand Rapids CC tossing four complete games and 53.0 innings with 80 strikeouts
• Started nine games with 46.1 innings of work and 51stikeouts as a freshman in 2018
• Named All-Conference, team Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player as a senior at Lowell while graduating cum laude (3.7 GPA)
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