Truman head baseball coach Dan Davis has announced the early signing of three players – Bret Gerstner (Jefferson City, Mo.), Chris Lehnhoff (Hillsboro, Mo.) and John Morey (Tulsa, Okla.) – to join the Bulldog program as part of the 2012 class.
● Bret Gerstner – (6-foot-2, 200 lbs, R/R, RHP)
Jefferson City, Mo. (Helias HS)
Gerstner is a two-time letterwinner in both baseball and football at Helias High School and has posted a 14-0 record since the summer prior to his junior season.
He was selected to play for Team Missouri in the Midwest Baseball Classic tournament in Joliet, Ill., and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Last summer, he pitched 45 innings with a 1.08 ERA, posted a 6-0 record and had a nearly 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (46:16).
Bret is the son of Ron and Lynn Gerstner and is undecided on his major at Truman.
Truman coach Dan Davis on Gerstner: “We are extremely pleased Bret decided to become a Bulldog next year! He’s continued to grow as a pitcher over the last couple of years. He has a good running fastball and shows signs of having a really good breaking ball. Bret’s fastball keeps getting better with experience and maturity; he’s gone from topping out at 81 as a junior to touching 86 during the summer/fall going into his senior year. We feel Bret’s best days on the mound are still in his future and can’t wait to see Bret on t he mound for the Bulldogs next fall!”
Helias coach Chris Wyrick on Gerstner: “Bret is a young man who will always give max effort. He has excelled in both the classroom and on the baseball field, and his dedication to his team has always been a model for our younger players to follow. As good of a student and baseball player Bret is, he is an even better person.”
Gerstner on why he chose Truman: “I chose Truman because it provides me the opportunity to grow as a student, a baseball player, and as a person.
I enjoyed my visit and loved the atmosphere of the school, students, and baseball team.
I felt comfortable and at home right away. I am looking forward to my future at Truman and being a member of the Bulldog Baseball team.”
● Chris Lehnhoff – (6-foot-4, 230 lbs, L/L, LHP)
Hillsboro, Mo. (Hillsboro HS/Jefferson College)
Lehnhoff was a two-time first-team all-district pitcher and designated hitter at Hillsboro High School and was named second-team all-state Utility. He was an MHSBCA all-star and is a member of the National Honor Society. During the summer of 2010, he pitched 43 innings and recorded 69 strikeouts to go with 14 walks en route to posting a 1.63 ERA.
Chris is the son of Randy and Debbie Lehnhoff and plans to study Chemistry at Truman.
Truman coach Dan Davis on Lehnhoff: “We are excited Chris has chosen Truman and Bulldog baseball to finish his final two years of college baseball.
He will help to fill a big need for the Bulldogs next year – left-handed pitching.
He’s a guy who is capable of coming in and being a conference starter for us his first year. We can’t wait to get started working with Chris and think his best days on the mound are yet to come!”
Le hnhoff on why he chose Truman: "I chose Truman State University because they have great academics just as well as athletics. It's also a fairly close in-state university that I've been interested in attending for a few years. I'm looking forward to playing baseball next year with Coach Davis."
● John More y – (6-foot-0, 175 lbs, R/R, OF)
Tulsa, Okla. (Metro Christian Academy)
Morey was a key component of a two-time district and regional championship team and was a state tournament participant in both 2009 and 2010 at Metro Christian Academy. He was a gold glove recipient and was selected to play in the World Wood Bat Championships in Jupiter, Fla., for the Metro Scout League in Dallas, Texas, where he batted .444. During the 2010 season, he batted .380 with ten doubles, five triples, three homeruns and 27 total RBI. Morey also stole 25 bases and drew 30 walks in 122 total plate appearances. He is also a member of the National Honor Society.
John is the son of Jay and Melissa Morey and plans to study Pre-Med at Truman.
Truman coach Dan Davis on Morey: “We are excited John chose Truman and the Bulldog Baseball program. He is a physical player who can play anywhere in the outfield. John is an intelligent player who runs very well and takes good routes on balls hit to the outfield. We think John will hit very well at the Div. II level. We look forward to seeing John wear a Bulldog uniform next year!”
Metro Christian Academy coach Chad Cook on Morey: “John is one of the hardest workers on the field and in the classroom I’ve ever coached. His work ethic has helped him become a three year starter for us. He has great speed, some power at the plate, and is a student of the game.”
Morey on why he chose Truman: "I chose to play ball at Truman because I felt like it had the whole package both academically and in athletics. Truman has a great biology program and has a baseball program that has progressively gotten better over the past few years.
Coach Davis really seems like he knows the game and I feel that, with his help, I can continually progress and become a better player.
I really enjoyed my campus visit and I felt like I meshed well with the other guys on the team. It did not take long for me to realize that Truman State University was the right school for me ."
Courtesy Truman State University
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