Head Truman State University (Mo.) Baseball Coach Dan Davis has announced that eight high school players have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Bulldogs next season.
Six are from the state of Missouri, one from Kansas and one from Alaska.
“This is an important recruiting class for us as we have to replace the nine seniors who will be leaving us after this season,” said Coach Davis.
"We will have big holes to fill, especially in our outfield and on the mound and I believe this class can do that along with meshing well with next year’s returning veterans.”
Including the three inked during the early signing period the Bulldogs will bring in two catchers, two right hand pitchers, two left hand pitchers, three outfielders, a corner infielder and a middle infielder.
The 2011 April Class
Adam Bainbridge – (5-foot-10, 155 lbs, R/R)
Wentzville, Mo. (Timberland HS)
Position: Catcher
Bainbridge his .323 his junior season with eight RBIs and 14 runs scored by posting an on-base percentage of .432
Was a 2009 SLABA all-star and was a member of the Rawlings Prospects…had a 2.40 ERA with a win, a loss and three saves in 11 and two-thirds innings pitched as a junior…was an Academic All-conference selection and intends to major in Accounting/Business…son of Tony and Debbie Bainbridge.
Timberland Coach Frank Masters on Bainbridge: “I am very excited Adam is playing baseball at Truman State University. Not only are they getting a very talented baseball player but a first class young man who has worked hard on and off the field. Adam will bring a work ethic and focus to the game that will inspire his teammates and coaches. Congrats on getting Adam!”
Bainbridge on why he chose Truman: "I chose Truman because the baseball program is improving each year and I feel that I can come in and help the program. Also, the campus was perfect for me and I feel that I can get a great education while playing for the Bulldog Baseball team."
Coach Davis on Bainbridge: “We are excited Adam chose Truman for his future. He is a good catch and throw guy whose best days are in front of him. He’s a scrappy player who is a student of the game and gives his best effort everyday. He loves playing and has a chance to excel in our program. We look forward to working with Adam in the future!”
Travis Bittle – (6-foot-2, 200 lbs, R/R)
Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge HS)
Position: Pitcher
Bittle was named to the Missouri Class 4 all-district team as well as a member of the Team Missouri squad in 2010…he broke Rock Bridges’ school single-season record for saves as a sophomore and posted a 13-0 record during the spring and summer of 2010…He was also a member of Team Missouri in 2009 as well as being named to the Columbia Tribune all-Area team…he is the son of Duane and Alisa Bittle and is undecided on his major at Truman.
Rock Bridge Coach Justin Towe on Bittle: “Truman State is getting a top notch pitcher in Travis Bittle. He has been one of the main reasons for our success over the last three years at Rock Bridge HS. Travis set the single season saves record as a sophomore for us on our way to the Missouri Class 4 Final Four and he is currently 2nd on the All-Time Wins list at Rock Bridge HS.”
Bittle on why he chose Truman: "I chose Truman because the players and Coach Davis really made it feel at home. When I was on my visit, all of the guys made me feel welcomed and told me a lot of good things about the baseball team. Everyone came up to me and introduced themselves and were very nice. I think Coach Davis is going to help me out a lot and make me a better player and person."
Coach Davis on Bittle: “We are truly excited to have Travis pick Bulldog Baseball for his future. We feel he has the chance to come in as a freshman and compete as a conference starter immediately. He has a great fastball, slider, and split-finger. The movement on his pitches are reminiscent of current Bulldog pitchers Jarrett Eiskina and Tyler Stefan. The biggest reason we wanted Travis next year is the fact that he’s a proven winner!”
Cody Gardner – (6-foot-2, 190 lbs, R/L)
Gray Summit, Mo. (St. Francis Borgia HS)
Position: Pitcher
In nearly 100 career innings pitched, Gardner is 10-3 with a 2.81 ERA and has fanned 72 hitters while walking just 27…He was a 2010 first team all-District selection…he is the son of Mike and Cindy Gardner and plans to major in Exercise Science/Sports Management.
St. Francis Borgia Coach Rob Struckhoff on Gardner: “Cody is a pitcher’s pitcher. He spots the ball well with good movement. He has great fundamentals for a high school pitcher and is very consistent. As a coach, I always know what I’m going to get out of Cody.”
Gardner on why he chose Truman: "I chose to play baseball at Truman because I really like the atmosphere of the school and because I have heard many good things about the school, their baseball team, and the coaching. I look forward to working hard and becoming the best player I can be."
Coach Davis on Gardner: “We are excited to get Cody for next year. We have a big need for left-handed pitching and Cody has a chance to come in and fill that role next fall. He has great command of all his pitches and competes at a high level. Cody’s best days are still in front of him!”
Jarod Hahn – (6-foot-0, 170 lbs, L/R)
O’Fallon, Mo. (Fort Zumwalt West HS)
Position: Outfield
As a junior, Hahn earned all-Gateway Athletic Conference South honorable mention accolades after hitting .375 with six doubles, 22 runs scored and 10 RBIs…he had an on-base percentage of .533 by drawing 20 walks and hit by pitch seven times…as a member of the school’s soccer program, Hahn was earned the GAC South Sportsmanship Award…he is a member of the National Honor Society, a Jag Connection Student Mentor and participated in the PPI Leadership Conference…he is the son of Steve and Dawn Hahn and is intending to major in Exercise Science/Sports Management at Truman.
Ft. Zumwalt West Coach Eric Gough on Hahn: “Jarod is a quiet leader. He is a good athlete and a hustle guy who plays the game the way it is meant to be played.”
Hahn on why he chose Truman: "I chose Truman State University because as soon as I stepped on campus for the first time I knew this is where I wanted to go. What made it even better is Truman’s great academic programs. I feel playing baseball for Truman is a privilege and I am thrilled to be part of a team working towards the next level."
Coach Davis on Hahn: “We are excited Jarod chose Bulldog Baseball. He’s a left-handed hitting corner outfielder who has a chance to hit some doubles and steal some bases in the future. He loves to play baseball and is a student of the game. We look forward to seeing Jarod with a Bulldog uniform on next year!”
Zak Larkin – (6-foot-1, 180 lbs, R/R)
Florissant, Mo. (DeSmet Jesuit HS)
Position: SS/2B
In the summer of 2010, Larkin hit .433 with two home runs, 20 RBIs and had 28 stolen bases…he was one of DeSmet’s team captains as a junior and received the Minds in Motion Award…He earned first honors academically at DeSmet and does community service with the North County Head Start and the Luke 18 Retreat…the son of Tim and Denise Larkin, Zak intends to major in Education at Truman.
Desmet Jesuit Coach Greg Vitello on Larkin: “Zak Larkin is a blue collar baseball player. He will do whatever is necessary for his team. If a role player is needed, he is there. If a base is needed, he will get it. If it is a bunt to be put down, he will do it. He is by no means a great player but he is a guy who helps make a TEAM great. You want this guy in your foxhole!”
Larkin on why he chose Truman: "I chose Bulldog Baseball because I felt the connection between Coach Davis and me was very significant. Coach Davis really knows what he’s talking about and plays the type of baseball I am accustomed to. I like the competitiveness of the Bulldogs and I feel like I can come in and help do great things for Truman State University."
Coach Davis on Larkin: “We are very fired up to get Zak for the future. We are losing a couple of infielders next year and have a great need to fill those roles. Zak is a slick fielding middle infielder who can play SS, 2B, or 3B and feel comfortable. He is also a base stealing threat. He brings a great intensity to the field with him everyday. We’ll have fun working with Zak in the future!”
Adam Manzer – (5-foot-9, 165 lbs, L/R)
Anchorage, Alaska (West Anchorage HS)
Position: Catcher
Manzer is a career .457 hitter with 32 RBIs and has scored 44 times out of 48 base hits…he has been named all-conference as a catcher the past three seasons and was the league’s most valuable hitter and outstanding defensive player in 2010…Manzer played in the Arizona Senior Fall Classic Showcase…in addition to baseball, Manzer was a four-year letterman and part of the first state hockey championship in school history in 2010 as well as the captain of the 2011 hockey team…he was invited to attend the 2009 Congressional Student Leadership Conference and has worked on several community service projects…He is the son of David and Victoria Manzer.
West Anchorage Coach Mark Wisthoff on Manzer: “Adam is one of the hardest working and most gifted players I have ever had the honor to coach. He has always represented West Anchorage HS well and I’m sure he will do the same for Truman State University.”
Manzer on why he chose Truman: "I chose Truman State because if it’s solid academic reputation, the competitive DII level and the MIAA Conference. I was welcomed in by Coach Davis and all of the players and other students at Truman on my visit last fall so I believe I will love the warm atmosphere of Kirksville based on all of the nice people I met. I am excited to be part of the Truman State Baseball program and hope to help lead the Bulldogs to a MIAA Championship."
Coach Davis on Manzer: “We can’t be more excited about Adam joining the program next year. We felt we needed to bring in a catcher who can come in and compete for a spot right away and we believe Adam can do that. Adam is a great athlete who can play the outfield as well. He can really run and has the ability to hit at the top of the line-up as a true freshman. Adam is a student of the game and his work ethic is second to none!”
Jacob McGillicuddy – (5-foot-8, 170 lbs, R/R)
Prairie Village, Kan. (Shawnee Mission East HS)
Position: Outfield
McGillicuddy hit .267 in 2010 as a junior with five RBIs and seven runs scored with an on-base percentage of .389…the son of Mitch and Ann McGillicuddy, Jacob intends to major in Exercise Science/Sports Management at Truman.
Shawnee Mission East Coach Jerrod Ryherd on McGillicuddy: “Jake has worked very hard to prepare himself to take his game to the next level and is very excited to be able to continue his career. His strengths as a ballplayer are his defensive ability and base running as he has above average speed. I know he is looking forward to finishing this year strong and helping this team go to state.”
McGillicuddy on why he chose Truman: "I would be crazy to not go get a great education from a great school in the field of study that I like. On top of all that, I get to play the game I love as a bonus."
Coach Davis on McGillicuddy: “We are excited Jake picked Truman and Bulldog Baseball for his future. He’s a very scrappy hitter and a very fast outfielder. He is a great worker and loves to learn which will give him a chance to have success at the DII level.”
Paul Trenhaile – (6-foot-5, 200 lbs, R/R)
Hannibal, Mo. (Hannibal HS)
Position: 3B/1B
Trenhaile is the Pirates 201 team captain and was a North Central Missouri all-Conference position player in 2010…for his career, he has hit .388 with three home runs, and 37 RBIs while having a .509 on-base percentage and a .503 slugging percentage…was named a second team all-state defensive end for the Hannibal football program as well as earning first-team all-conference as both a tight end and defensive end…on the basketball court, Trenhaile was a second team all-NCMC selection and earned the team’s “Hustle MVP” award…Trenhaile participated in Missouri’s Boys State, was an Academic All-NCMC honoree as well as earned academic all-State…he is the son of Randy and Kathleen Trenhaile.
Hannibal Coach Clint Graham on Trenhaile: “It has been a pleasure to coach Paul over the past four seasons. The Truman State University Baseball program is getting a great young man and a terrific baseball player. Paul will do an outstanding job both on the field and in the classroom.”
Trenhaile on why he chose Truman: "I chose Bulldog Baseball for a couple reasons. One being because Coach Davis was persistent and wanted me on his team and another was the potential I saw in the program to really be a premiere team. Lastly, the reputation the University itself had to offer."
Coach Davis on Trenhaile: “We are extremely excited to have Paul join the program next year. His size and the potential he has to hit with some power are very appealing. Paul has the chance to come in and compete to play and hit in the middle of the order as a true freshman. We can’t wait to see Paul in a Bulldog uniform next fall!”
Courtesy Truman State University
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