SHREVEPORT-Centenary Baseball Head Coach Ed McCann and Associate Head Coach Mike Diaz announced the signing of 13 new players for the 2010 season. The Gents will welcome seven infielders, two outfielders, and four pitchers into the Centenary baseball program.
Centenary is coming off a successful 33-19 record last season and will have a small, but solid core of returnees coming back.
"After losing several key members of the 2009 season, we look for this incoming recruiting class to step in and address several needed areas as well as make some of the weaker areas stronger," said Diaz. "We are bringing in a well-balanced group of guys that can take over key infield spots, showcase power at the plate, and provide much needed depth in our pitching staff right away."
The Gents welcome: IF Keegan Acker (Redmond, WA/Bellevue CC), IF Cody Atkinson (Bellevue, WA/Everett CC), RHP David Benson (Everett, WA/Everett CC), IF Ryan Bell (Whitehouse, TX/Whitehouse HS), IF Matt Creamer (Shreveport, LA/Captain Shreve HS), RHP Dan Lazarou(New Market, Ontario, Canada/Galveston CC), OF Conald Mansfield(Pensacola, FL/Bossier Parish CC), LHP Trey McGee (Bossier City, LA/Haughton HS), C/IF Scott Pasket (Anderson, TX/Galveston), OFAnthony Salinas (Wichita, KS/Butler CC), IF Gabe Shivers (Atlanta, GA/Young Harris CC), RHP Cole Thompson (Dallas, TX/Trinity Christian Academy); IF Alex Todd (San Jose, CA/West Valley CC).
Keegan Acker
Position: Infield
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Height/Weight: 5-11/175
Hometown: Redmond, WA
Previous School: Bellevue CC
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz:"Keegan is coming off a NWAACC championship team at Bellevue CC as a two-year starter. Look for him to compete for a starting role right away as he is an outstanding defensive infielder."
Cody Atkinson
Position: Infield
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 6-1/180
Hometown: Bellevue, WA
Previous School: Everett CC
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "An All-NWAACC selection and three-hole hitter for Everett CC last season, Cody is a tremendous athlete. We feel like he can come in and hit in the middle of the order for us as well as play both infield and outfield."
David Benson
Position: Right-handed Pitcher
Bats/Throws: Right/Left
Height/Weight: 6-3/180
Hometown: Everett, WA
Previous School: Everett CC
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "Benson was an All-League selection both years at Everett CC. He’s got a live arm that can throw as high as 91 and shows good command with his fastball and slider. As an incoming pitcher, he will be an integral part of our staff."
Ryan Bell
Position: Infield
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 6-0/175
Hometown: Whitehouse, TX
Previous School: Whitehouse HS
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "Ryan’s a great athlete who has played shortstop through high school. He possesses plus speed and a plus arm and once his offense develops, he will be a very good Division I player."
Matt Creamer
Position: Infield
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 5-10/170
Hometown: Shreveport, LA
Previous School: Captain Shreve HS
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "Matt is coming into Centenary as a local athlete from a good Captain Shreve program and will add depth to the infield. After having time to progress this fall, we are excited to see what he can do for us."
Dan Lazarou
Position: Right-handed Pitcher
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 6-5/215
Hometown: New Market, Ontario, Canada
Previous School: Galveston CC
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "As a big-time prospect with great size and a strong arm, Dan’s fastball will reach as high as 92. We are looking forward to seeing what Dan develops into this fall as he has stuff to be either a starter or a closer."
Conald Mansfield
Position: Outfield
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Height/Weight: 5-11/185
Hometown: Pensacola, FL
Previous School: Bossier Parish CC
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "The last two seasons at BPCC, Conald has battled several injuries. As long as he can stay injury-free, he has a chance to help us in the outfield and as a left-handed stick in the lineup."
Trey McGee
Position: Left-Handed Pitcher
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Height/Weight: 6-4/165
Hometown: Bossier City, LA
Previous School: Haughton HS
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "Trey is a big-time pitcher who is tall and lanky right now with a clean arm. Once he fills out, this kid could be a number one-type starter for us because he can pitch."
Scott Pasket
Position: Catcher/Infield
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Height/Weight: 6-0/180
Hometown: Anderson, TX
Previous School: Galveston CC
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "Scott has been really successful his last two seasons at Galveston CC. He is going to bring a left-handed stick to our lineup as well as versatility on defense playing both the infield and behind the plate."
Anthony Salinas
Position: Outfield
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 5-10/175
Hometown: Wichita, KS
Previous School: Butler CC
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "With two successful years at Butler CC, Anthony brings power to the lineup having hit 10 home runs last season. He will be someone we look for to solidify the middle of the order and fulfill a spot in the outfield."
Gabe Shivers
Position: Infield
Bats/Throws: Right/Left
Height/Weight: 5-9/165
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Previous School: Young Harris CC
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "Gabe played last year at one of the best junior colleges in the nation. He will add depth in the infield to this already-talented Centenary team."
Cole Thompson
Position: Right-handed Pitcher
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 6-4/175
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Previous School: Trinity Christian Academy (HS)
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "A young arm with a great frame, Cole will show a mid-80s fastball with a good breaking ball. We feel like once Cole grows into his body, he will be a very good pitcher for us."
Alex Todd
Position: Infield
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 6-2/185
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Previous School: West Valley CC
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Mike Diaz: "Alex was a two-year starter at a great program in West Valley JC. As a strong leader both on and off the field, Alex will come in right away and solidify our shortstop position."
