Sixth year head coach Mark Machtolf
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga University head baseball coach Mark Machtolf has announced that seven players have signed their National Letters of Intent to play for the Bulldogs.
Joining the Zags for the 2010 season will be right-handed pitcher Chris Asing from Flower Mound, Tex., left-handed pitcher Liam Baron out of Perth, Australia, infielder Clayton Eslick from Gilroy, Calif., catcher Kevin Hawk out of Lewiston, Idaho, outfielder/left-handed pitcher Billy Moon from Spokane, left-hander pitcher/first baseman Jacob Partridge also out of Spokane and catcher/first baseman Brock Slavin out of Tumwater, Wash.
“We are very excited about this year’s recruiting class,” said Machtolf. “Assistant coaches Danny Evans and Steve Bennett have put together a great group of players that will have solid careers for us.”
Asing is a very talented pitcher out of Flower Mound High in the baseball talent rich state of Texas. Asing pitched very well in the Perfect Game World Championships this fall, striking out 12 and allowing just one hit in a six-inning start against some top prospects in the Western states.
“During my visit, I got along great with every one of the coaches and heard nothing but great things from the current players,” said Asing. “I am very excited to call Spokane home for the next four years.” “We are thrilled to have Chris join our program,” added Machtolf.
“Chris has great stuff, is a great competitor and we see him immediately contributing to our staff once he steps on campus.”
Baron is a very tough and durable left-handed pitcher who is highly competitive and pitches with a bulldog mentality every time he takes the mound. Baron, out of Linn Benton Community College in Albany, Ore. and Perth, Australia, was a first team All-NWAACC selection in 2008 after posting a league-best 10 wins.
“I chose Gonzaga because of the great baseball program and strong academic emphasis,” said Baron.
“Liam is type of competitor that we are looking for in this class and we are very excited that he will be pitching for the Zags in 2010 and not against us,” commented Machtolf.
Eslick, an Under Armour Preseason All-America, will join Gonzaga after four years of playing at one of the top high school baseball programs in California in Valley Christian High. Eslick will provide great energy to the middle infield positions along with a strong bat to the top of the lineup for the Bulldogs next season. He was an All-State selection a year ago and possesses the athletic ability to possibly earn some playing time in the outfield as well.
“I chose Gonzaga because of the opportunity to receive one of the best educations in the country and also play for one of the best coaching staffs and at one of best facilities that any university has to offer,” said Eslick.
“Clayton is a very well rounded player that brings a very mature offensive approach to this recruiting class,” commented Machtolf. “I see Clayton as a special addition to the Gonzaga baseball program.”
Hawk, the number one high school prospect in the Idaho, Montana and Wyoming region according to Baseball Northwest, is a throwback type of player that has a great work ethic and makes everybody around him better. Hawk is thought of as a great leader behind the plate that possesses a very strong and accurate arm.
“I chose Gonzaga as the school for me because of the education, the players, the coaches and the top of the line facilities they have there,” said Hawk. “I am also excited about working towards the goal of winning a national championship at GU.”
“We are very fortunate to have the best catcher and overall best prospect for the states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming choose to come to Gonzaga,” said Machtolf. “Kevin will bring our pitching staff to another level with the leadership he will provide us behind the plate.”
Moon will join the Bulldogs after an impressive career at University High in Spokane. Moon has shown the ability to play the outfield and also pitch at the Division I level. He is coming off of a very impressive junior season in which he was a first team All-Greater Spokane League selection and an All-State second team selection after hitting at a .500 clip and producing an 8-0 record on the mound.
“After experiencing the atmosphere, meeting the personal throughout the campus and with a chance to continue to play in Spokane, I felt that GU would be perfect for me,” said Moon of his decision.
“Billy is a great athlete and competitor,” cited Machtolf. “He is a proven left-handed winner on the mound and can flat out hit. We are very excited that Billy is a Zag.”
Partridge is another great two-way player out of Spokane. The southpaw out of Rogers High is ranked the #1 high school left-handed pitcher in the state of Washington according to Baseball Northwest. With a fastball that tops out in the low 90’s and two solid secondary pitches, Partridge could be an early-round selection in this June’s Major League Baseball Amateur draft.
“I chose Gonzaga because of its excellent academics, its coaching staff and the outstanding facilities,” said Partridge who was also considering a number of Pacific-10 and West Coast Conference schools. “I am very excited to play in my hometown of Spokane.”
“We feel very fortunate that Jake chose Gonzaga and we are very excited to see him in a Bulldog uniform in 2010,” commented Machtolf.
Slavin is another impressive catcher that has chosen to play for the Bulldogs in 2010. Out of Tumwater High, the top rated catcher in Washington according to Baseball Northwest is solid defensively but even more impressive with the bat. He is projected to hit in the middle of the order and immediately compete for playing time at catcher or first base for the Zags.
“Gonzaga is the best fit for me as a student-athlete,” said Slavin.
“Brock is an outstanding young man,” said Machtolf. “He is very mature pure hitter that will have an opportunity to hit in the middle of our lineup as a freshman.”
The Bulldogs open up the 2009 season Feb. 20-22 at the Grand Canyon Tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. Gonzaga will face the University of Nevada twice and preseason #10 ranked University of Missouri twice in the three day tournament.
