LITTLE ROCK – Head coach
Chris Curry has announced 11 new additions to the Trojan baseball roster, while also shoring up his coaching staff heading into the 2021 season. The 11 new Trojans consist of a balanced mix of graduate transfers, Division I and JUCO transfers and a freshman, adding depth and stability at a number of positions.
"This class has a good balance of local players and players from around the country," Curry said. "We've got a nice mix of experience as well with a group of grad transfers and junior college singees that will be able to step right in from day one, as well as the group of freshmen from now and the fall to help fill some voids. I feel we addressed our left handed pitching depth. Obviously the loss of
Kale Emshoff is big, but we're excited about the catchers that will step in to try and fill some of his shoes. We have a good core group of position players and pitchers back that are going to be able to lead, and these other pieces will be looked to to shore up our team and provide the depth we need to compete for a championship."
The 11-member class was truly a nationwide endeavor by the Trojan coaching staff, comprising eight different states and one Canadian province. These newcomer, as well as the five signees announced during the fall signing period, will give Little Rock 16 new faces once the 2021 season commences in the spring.
"Once again, a great job by coach
Noah Sanders and coach
R.D. Spiehs to upgrade the talent here at Little Rock and I appreciate their work, especially during this very unconventional recruiting period," Curry said.
Below is a breakdown of the newest Trojans, along with comments from assistant coach and recruiting coordinator
Noah Sanders.
Aaron Barkley
6-1 | 225 | Grad Transfer | Right Handed Pitcher
El Cajon, Calif. (Mississippi Valley State)
Prior to Little Rock: Was a four-year contributor at Mississippi Valley State as both a pitcher and catcher … Had 50 career appearances for the Delta Devils with a 2.51 ERA over 116.2 innings pitched … Struck out 136 batters while giving up just 108 hits and 25 walks … Second team All-SWAC as a junior in 2019 … As a senior, pitched 35.1 innings in seven appearances with a 3.57 ERA and 47 strikeouts … Four year letterwinner at West Hills High School in Santee, California … Plans to pursue his graduate degree in sports administration.
Sanders' Thoughts: "Aaron comes to Little Rock after an outstanding four year career at Mississippi Valley State. He has pitched in every capacity imaginable and also spent the first three years as their starting catcher. He has a true four-pitch mix which includes a low 90s fastball, a really good changeup, and two different breaking balls. He's a real hard-nosed kid with a high baseball IQ who will serve a huge role on our pitching staff in 2021."
John Boushelle
6-7 | 210 | Grad Transfer | Right Handed Pitcher
Fayetteville, Ark. (McNeese)
Prior to Little Rock: Spent two seasons at McNeese and was a member of the 2019 NCAA regional team … Appeared in three games during the shortened 2020 season, giving up one hit with six strikeouts … Spent his sophomore season at Crowley's Ridge College in 2017 and was part of a pitching staff that helped the Tigers place third at the 2017 NJCAA World Series … Spent his freshman season at Kansas State, appearing in three games for the Wildcats with five strikeouts … Two year letterwinner at Fayetteville High School with a 1.56 ERA in 12 appearances … Helped lead Fayetteville to back-to-back conference championships and a state runner-up in 2014 … 20th round selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015 MLB Draft … Plans to pursue his graduate degree in sports management.
Sanders' Thoughts: "John is a tall right handed pitcher with a lot of upside. His fastball has ranged into the low 90's, and he also has a wipeout slider. He's had a few injuries over the years that have set him back, but we're extremely excited to bring him back to his home state for his final season of college baseball. He has the ability to pitch in any number of roles for us in 2021 and we are excited to see what this season holds for John."
Jack DeCooman
6-5 | 205 | Redshirt Junior | Left Handed Pitcher
North Vancouver, B.C. (Washington)
Prior to Little Rock: Spent three seasons at the University of Washington, appearing in 21 games for the Huskies … Made nine starts in his career and registered a 5.28 ERA in 46 innings pitched with 35 strikeouts … Posted a 3.86 ERA in 2020 in three appearances with one start, striking out eight in 4.2 innings in the shortened season … Boasted a 3.38 ERA as a freshman in 2018 with 12 strikeouts in 18.2 innings pitched, earning his first collegiate start … Made an appearance in the 2018 College World Series, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings against Oregon State with a strikeout … Four year letterwinner at West Vancouver High School … Ranked number one pitcher in British Columbia by Perfect Game … 2016 Perfect Game honorable mention All-American … Member of Canadian Junior National Team from 2015-17.
Sanders' Thoughts: "Jack is a tall left handed pitcher with high level Division I experience, pitching in the College World Series as a true freshman in 2018. His fastball ranges up into the low 90s, and he also showcases an above average slider. Jack is a dynamic pitcher who could fill a handful of roles for us in 2021. We're very excited for what his future as a Trojan holds."
Robert Diaz
6-1 | 200 | Freshman | Catcher
Saint Cloud, Fla. (TNXL Academy)
Prior to Little Rock: Attended Saint Cloud High School … Member of TNXL Academy in Ocoee, Florida … Participated in a number of Perfect Game WWBA Tournaments at the catcher position … Member of the honor society … Plans to pursue a career as a registered nurse.
Sanders' Thoughts: "'Tito' is a young player who we think has an extremely bright future. He is a polished defender whose power at the plate has really flourished as of late. Robert played for coach Brian Martinez at TNXL Academy where he was teammates with a number of current and future Trojans. We look for him to make an immediate impact in 2021 and feel he has the tools necessary to play the game for a long time."
Noah Dickerson
6-4 | 190 | Redshirt Sophomore | Outfielder
Windermere, Fla. (Stetson)
Prior to Little Rock: Spent two seasons at Stetson University … As a freshman, appeared in 42 games with 34 starts for the Hatters, splitting time between the outfield and at designated hitter … Batted .256 with 31 hits, seven doubles, a home run and 14 RBI while scoring 14 runs … Posted a .367 on base percentage and a .339 slugging percentage … Named to ASun All-Freshman Team in 2019 … Played for TNXL Academy for two seasons in high school, helping leading the team to a 26-4 record as a junior … Hit .385 during his senior season with seven home runs … 17th round selection of the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 MLB Draft … Plans to major in finance.
Sanders' Thoughts: "Noah is a powerful left handed bat who also possesses incredible plate discipline. He has already shown the ability to hit, hit for power, and get on base at the Division I level. We will look for him to hit in the middle of the lineup and bring a veteran presence to the field and locker room."
Reese Lansville
5-10 | 185 | Redshirt Freshman | Right Handed Pitcher
Centennial, Colo. (Northeast C.C. (Neb.))
Prior to Little Rock: Spent two seasons at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, redshirting in 2019 … Appeared in five games in the shortened 2020 season with a 2.45 ERA over 3.2 innings pitched with six strikeouts, giving up just one hit … Academic All-Conference selection … Three year starter at Thunder Ridge High School in Centennial, Colorado as a pitcher, third baseman and designated hitter … Boasted a .428 batting average as a senior, earning first team All-League and honorable mention All-State honors … Second team All-League selection as a junior … Plans to major in either communication applications or biology.
Sanders' Thoughts: "Reese is a live armed right handed pitcher whose fastball has been clocked into the low 90s. He's a very hard worker and we are excited about the potential he brings to Little Rock. He comes from a strong baseball family and we feel that his best days in the game are ahead of him."
Marlon Lindsey
6-3 | 215 | Redshirt Sophomore | Outfielder
Lafayette Hills, Pa. (Lackawanna C.C.)
Prior to Little Rock: Spent two seasons at Lackawanna Community College in Scranton, Pennsylvania … Appeared in 14 games with 11 starts for the Falcons, batting .270 in 37 plate appearances with 12 hits, eight of which were for extra bases … Finished the year with four doubles and four home runs, driving in six with 10 runs scored … Posted a .386 on base percentage and a .595 slugging percentage … Batted .281 for his career at Lackawanna … Named to Dean's List twice … Four year letterwinner at Trenton Catholic Academy in New Jersey, playing outfield and first base as well as pitching … Also earned three varsity letters in football … Played for Triton Rays, New Jersey Tigers and East Coast Grays club teams … Plans to major in business management.
Sanders' Thoughts: "Marlon is a power hitting outfielder/first baseman. He was a very physical presence in the lineup at Lackawanna and we look for him to do the same in Little Rock. His work ethic and dedication to his craft will excel in our program. He has above average speed for his size as well, which will be very beneficial in both the outfield and on the bases."
Canyon McWilliams
6-1 | 220 | Grad Transfer | First Baseman
Shaker Heights, Ohio (Ohio Wesleyan)
Prior to Little Rock: Spent three seasons at Ohio Wesleyan University … Posted a career batting average of .399 for the Bishops, finishing his career with 31 doubles and 10 home runs with 28 stolen bases … Second team All-NCAC selection as a junior in 2019, batting .392 with a .589 slugging percentage and 38 RBI, belting five home runs … Second team All-NCAC and ABCA all-region selection as a sophomore in 2018 after ranking third in the league in batting average (.414), sixth in slugging percentage (.614) and seventh in both on base percentage (.480) and RBI (45) … Was hitting .364 with 12 hits and a pair of home runs in 33 at bats in the shortened 2020 season … CoSIDA third team Academic All-American honoree … Sent one season at Florida Southern College but did not see any action … Four year letterwinner at Shaker Heights High School and was an all-conference selection … Also lettered twice in golf … Plans to pursue his graduate degree in sport management.
Sanders' Thoughts: "Canyon comes in after an incredible career at Ohio Wesleyan. He has a real knack to hit and we are excited to bring him to Little Rock. He's shown the ability to hit for power and get on base at a high level, while also stealing a lot of bases for a guy his size."
Chris Prentiss
6-2 | 180 | Grad Transfer | Infielder
Vicksburg, Miss. (Jackson State)
Prior to Little Rock: Spent two seasons at Jackson State University, seeing action in 54 games for the Tigers during his career while batting .365 … As a senior, batted .322 in 15 games during the shortened 2020 season with 19 hits in 59 at bats, driving in 10 while scoring 12 runs of his own … Stole eight bases as well … Played in 39 games as a junior, batting .381 with 61 hits in 160 at bats, posting an on base percentage of .443 and a slugging percentage of .581 … Hit six doubles, 10 triples and a pair of home runs, driving in 32 while registering 10 stolen bases … First team All-SWAC selection … Spent his sophomore season at Holmes Community College, batting .247 in 24 games with 10 RBI and 16 stolen bases … Spent his freshman season at Copiah-Lincoln Community College … Three year letterwinner at Vicksburg High School, batting .289 for his career.
Sanders' Thoughts: "Chris comes to us after a great junior year at Jackson State in 2019 and a great start to his senior year in 2020. He is a top-of-the-order hitter that has a real knack for getting on base. His 6.4-60 speed really allow him to do damage on base paths as well. He is a good defender in the infield and we are really excited about bringing his skill set to Little Rock."
Anthony Socci
6-1| 215 | Redshirt Sophomore | Catcher
Norwalk, Conn. (Lackawanna C.C.)
Prior to Little Rock: Spent two seasons at Lackawanna Community College in Scranton, Pennsylvania … Appeared in 30 games over his career for the Falcons … As a sophomore in 2020, started in nine games with a pair of doubles and a home run, driving in two while drawing seven walks … Committed just four errors defensively behind the plate … As a freshman in 2019, played in 20 games with a .255 batting average, a .352 on base percentage and a .404 slugging percentage … Registered four doubles and a home run, driving in 10 while scoring 14 runs … Had a .989 fielding percentage, committing just one error on the season … Three year letterwinner at McMahon High School in Norwalk, Connecticut … Plans to major in criminal justice.
Sanders' Thoughts: "Anthony joins junior college teammate
Marlon Lindsey from Lackawanna CC. He is a gifted defensive catcher who really knows what he is doing behind the plate. He has above average arm strength and has also shown the ability to hit for power to all fields."
Jacob Wright
5-10 | 190 | Redshirt Freshman | Catcher
Bryant, Ark. (Murray State College)
Prior to Little Rock: Spent one year at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Oklahoma … Appeared in 13 games for the Aggies, registering a double and a home run while driving in four and scoring 10 runs in the shortened 2020 season … Posted a .378 on base percentage, drawing 11 walks … Behind the plate, registered a .985 fielding percentage, committing just one error on 65 total chances … Three year letterwinner at Bryant High School, playing both catcher and outfield … Member of the Hornet baseball program that advanced to back-to-back state quarterfinal appearances and a semifinal appearance in 2017.
Sanders' Thoughts: "Jake comes to us after a one year stint at Murray State College in Oklahoma. We are very excited about bringing him back home to central Arkansas. He is a really good defensive catcher with a high baseball IQ and comes from a storied Bryant High School program where he played for head coach Travis Queck. We love the leadership he will bring both on and off the field."
In addition to the 11 newcomers to the program, Curry also announced the hiring of
Eric Hansen as the Trojans' new Director of Player Development and Data Analytics.
"We're very fortunate to have Eric join our staff," Curry said. "Having served on the Harding staff for coach Patrick McGaha and as a former player at Indiana, we know Eric has been a part of first class programs. His expertise in data and analytics and his skills as a 'baseball guy' will instantly make our program better.
Hansen comes to Little Rock after spending the season as a graduate assistant at Harding University, his alma mater, working with catchers and hitters. He previously served as an assistant coach of the Kansas Cannons of the Kansas Collegiate League during the 2018 season.
A native of Homer Glen, Illinois, Hansen caught for Indiana University for two years in 2016 and 2017. In 2018 Hansen transferred to Harding University where he caught for one year and in 2019, after injury, pitched while continuing to hit.
Hansen earned his Sport and Recreation Management degree from Harding in 2019, then earned his Master of Science in Education in 2020.
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