Iowa Western Announces 2014-15 Baseball Recruiting Class
Iowa Western Announces 2014-15 Baseball Recruiting Class
Iowa Western Baseball is pleased to announce the signing of thirteen student-athletes for the 2014-2015 recruiting class. These future Reivers represent eight states and will be looked upon to make an immediate impact next year.
(In alphabetical order)
TYLER CROPLEY- C/UTL.- 5'10-165
DAKOTA DUNES, SD
BISHOP HEELAN HS- SIOUXLAND STARS
Earning a total of 9 varsity letters in his high school career, it's safe to say Tyler is a special athlete. Cropley's name has appeared on multiple All Conference, All District and All State Teams during his standout high school career. In both his sophomore and junior seasons he lead Bishop Heelan to the State Semi Finals, while setting the school's single season doubles record with 20 as a junior. Tyler can also call himself a state champion, as he played a key role in capturing the 2013 Class 3A State Football Championship.
HENRY DeNOBLE- RHP- 6'3-190
MANHATTAN, KS
MANHATTAN HS- KC BULLETS
Henry will be joining the Reivers as a highly touted right handed pitcher. 2013 was a standout year for DeNoble, tossing a no-hitter against Washburn Rural. This was just the start. After 14 consecutive no-hit innings, Henry threw a 2 hitter against Lawrence in the Regional Championship, earning the win. The year continued with him earning All Centennial League First Team honors along with being KABC First Team All State pitcher. With all of the attention on the field, Henry is also a member of the National Honor Society. Henry is currently ranked the 19th best prospect in state by Prep Baseball Report- Kansas.
DECLAN DOYLE- 1B- 6'2-215
IOWA CITY, IA
IOWA CITY WEST HS- IOWA SELECT
Declan is a baseball guy. The hard working and hard hitting Doyle comes to Iowa Western from Iowa City West High School. Earning Second Team All MVC, he slugged .490 with 13 doubles, 2 homeruns and 23 RBI's. His success spilled into the summer where he garnered All-Tournament Team at the Underclass World Championship and Evoshield National Championship. Off the field Declan is a member of the National Honor Society.
JARED GATES- MIF- 6'1-185
WICHITA, KS
WICHITA NORTHWEST HS- WICHITA SLUGGERS
Earning a varsity letter each of his years at Wichita Northwest High School, Jared has continued to improve and impress each season. As a freshman he earned Honorable Mention as the designated hitter, he followed that with a First Team All City nod in 2012. Thus far 2013 was Gates best season. First Team All City as a shortstop, First Team All State as a shortstop and All Metro as the DH, just to start. Then he capped it off with the 6A Player of the Year Award. Jared continues his success off the field as well, earning consistent Honor Roll recognition. Gates is ranked #9 in Kansas by Prep Baseball Report.
BRODY HAGEL PITT- RHP- 6'7-250
ARVADA, CO
ARVADA WEST HS- COLORADO ROCKIES SCOUT TEAM
Brody joins Reiver Nation via Arvada West High School in Arvada Colorado. The 6'7 right hander will tower over hitters when he toes the rubber next spring. Hagel-Pitt earned First Team All Conference in 2013, along with Honorable Mention All State. In the Summer and Fall Brody lends his talent and imposing figure to the Colorado Rockies Scout Team.
SAM HERSH- RHP- 6'2-175
WICHITA, KS
EISENHOWER HS- RAWLINGS REDS
Prep Baseball Report ranks Sam as the 9th best pitcher in Kansas for the 2014 graduating class, not to mention 23rd overall best player. Hersh was All-AVCTL Honorable Mention and was on the Pre-Season All State watch list. As a multiple sport athlete Sam also played basketball. Last season as a junior he racked up 53 strikeouts and a 2.86 ERA. With his busy sports schedule Sam still is able to maintain a high academic standard earning Honor Roll honors throughout high school.
MATT HOEG- MIF- 6'0-170
CLIVE, IA
WAUKEE HS
Matt is a 3 sport star at Waukee High School in Clive Iowa. Matt, a 3 year varsity starter in baseball, led the team in doubles, triples, homeruns, runs batted in, and walks. For his efforts he was awarded First Team All Conference honors. In the fall Hoeg was a 2 year varsity starter. Named to the Elite All State First Team, Class 4A First Team All State and holds the school record for most interceptions in a season with 9. You can also find Matt running track. Of the field he has earned 7 Academic All Conference Awards.
MATT LLOYD- MIF/RHP- 6'2-180
OKOTOKS, ALBERTA, CAN.
FOOTHILLS COMPOSITE HS- OKOTOKS DAWGS
Making the trip to Iowa Western from Alberta Canada, Matt Lloyd is a talented two-way player. The talented left handed hitter hit a robust .409 in 2013 with 7 homeruns and driving in 42. In a short season on the mound Lloyd threw 12 innings with 8 strikeouts. As a member of the Okotoks Dawgs program for the last five years, his aacomplishments have earned him a spot on the Canadian Junior National Team. Lloyd will compete immediately for the Reivers on the mound and in the field.
TYLER MIDAS- C- 6'2-210
FOLEY, MN
FOLEY HS- MINNESOTA BLIZZARD ELITE
Another multi sport standout from Foley High School in Foley Minnesota, Tyler Midas. As a freshman Tyler was named Rookie of the Year along with earning All Conference honors. He was also a member of the varsity wrestling team that winter. Year two brought three varsity letters to Midas; wrestling, football and baseball. In the spring he was named Team MVP along with All Conference and All Section. Tyler was in the starting line-up for the Minnesota AA State Wrestling Tournament, finishing third. Same story as a junior, 3 varsity letters, more All Conference and All Section awards in the spring. Another third place finish in the State Wrestling Tournament, along with an All Conference award and an Individual Conference Championship. Tyler was named to the Top Prospect List and Top Prospect Team by Perfect game for his performances with the Minnesota Blizzard. Off the field, Midas has been All Conference Academic team all four years.
NICK NELSEN- RHP- 6'3-175
W. DES MOINES, IA
W. DES MOINES VALLEY HS- IOWA STICKS
Nelsen is a standout on the mound at W. Des Moines Valley High School. The 6'3 right hander shut down opponents last season with a 0.91 ERA and an opponent batting average of a miniscule .178. Nick also participates in intramural football, basketball, volleyball and dodgeball. He participated this Fall with the Iowa Sticks program directed by former Baylor standout Zach Dillon.
ALEX SOVA- RHP- 6'6-225
MIDLAND, MI
H.H. DOW HS- CINCINNATI REDS SCOUT TEAM
Alex will bring another imposing figure to the mound for the Reivers in 2014. This 6'6 right hander is ranked in the Top 25 by Prep Baseball Report in the state of Michigan. Last season for H.H. Dow Sova threw 44 innings, striking out 54 while gathering a 2.08 ERA. These numbers earned him All Conference along with a spot on the All Area Dream Team. Alex played fall baseball with the Cincinnati Reds Scout Team and has participated with elite travel teams from Michigan.
DEVIN STUECK- OF- 5'11-165
OMAHA, NE
OMAHA WESTSIDE HS- UBA ELITE
With the addition of Devin Stuek, Iowa Western keeps it's Omaha pipeline running. As a junior Stueck was named First Team Super State Lincoln Journal Star, First Team All State by the Omaha World Herald and also to the All USA Nebraska Team. In 30 games last season Devin hit .393, collecting 35 hits, driving in 21 runs while scoring 23. Of those 35 hits, 13 were for extra bases. He continues his growth as a player by joining the UBA Elite travel team in the Fall.
JACOB SYLVESTER- RHP- 6'6-250
LENEXA, KS
SHAWNEE MISSION WEST HS- 68'S INSIDE SPORTS
Slowed by an injury to his throwing elbow, Sylvester is just beginning to re-emerge on the scene. He was sidelined his Junior year due to Tommy John surgery. Jacob now throws in the mid- upper 80's and was named to the Top Prospect Team after performing at Perfect Game's Midwest Top Prospect Showcase this Fall. He is also ranked by Prep Baseball Report in Kansas at #28. As he continues to progress health wise; Jacob's better days are definitely ahead of him.
Head Coach Marc Rardin had this to say, "This class that our coaching staff has put together for this coming 2014 Fall is an outstanding class of individual athletic abilities and strong character in each.
Coach Rob Allison adds another talented group in a long line of great recruiting classes in his 8 years of being recruiting coordinator for us. Coach Allison spearheaded the efforts for a group that needed to fill some vital roles early in this class.
It isn't always easy to recruit and locate what we are looking for and needing. Many student/athletes can be located because of their standout athletic ability, but for Reiver Baseball it quickly turns to personal makeup and character of him and his family upbringing.
Coach Allison, Coach Stoy, and Coach Mote have beaten the bushes and worked diligently on locating and creating strong relationships w/ these kids and their families.
We feel it takes a special student/athlete to perform on a daily basis here and I'm both proud and excited to announce this incoming group because of those facets. "
- Iowa Western Baseball is preseason ranked #11 in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and have won 9 consecutive Region XI titles.
- The historic juco baseball program has also participated in 7 World Series in the last 9 years and were National Champions in both 2010 and 2012.
- The Reivers finished 2013 with a 45-14 overall record.
- The 2014 spring season opens up Thursday February 20 vs Labette CC in Parsons, KS.