Akron Baseball Signs 13 Student-Athletes

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AKRON, Ohio —University of Akron first-year head baseball coach Chris Sabo signed 13 student-athletes to his first class.

"I am pleased to announce our first commitments to the University of Akron baseball program," Sabo said. "The 13 players represent a solid variety of junior college transfers and high school seniors, position players and pitchers. In addition, I'm excited that we have signed a number of strong players from the state of Ohio, a state which we will always have a strong focus on."

The class features homegrown talent. Five student-athletes list their hometowns within the state of Ohio, four within a 30-mile radius of campus.

Additionally, three incoming Zips hail from Indiana, two from New York, and one each from Colorado, Illinois, and Texas.

One signee— junior LHP Austin Gussman (Thornton, Colo.)— is currently enrolled in classes at Akron.

Additionally, four are high school seniors, while nine are junior college transfers. Six are listed as pitchers, four as outfielders, and three as infielders.

Eleven of the signees played at least one other sport in high school. Nine earned academic honors for sporting a 3.5+ grade-point average.

"As we create a new baseball program at Akron, I'm delighted that we have generated interest in student-athletes who share the same vision and passion for The University of Akron as myself and my assistant coaches. These student-athletes will have a lasting legacy at Akron," Sabo added. "I look forward in working with these young men when Akron baseball takes the field in the fall of 2019."

Akron baseball returns to competitive play in the spring of 2020 as a member of the Mid-American Conference.

2019 Akron Baseball Commitments

Name                            Pos.    B/T    Elig.    Ht.       Wt.       Hometown | High School | Previous School
Chandler Cannon #        RHP    R/R R-Jr.   6-0      185      Oregon, Ohio | Clay | McLennan CC
Jacob Clark                    LHP     L/L     Fr.     6-3      215      Muncie, Ind. | Cowan
Austin Domer #               OF      S/L     Jr.     5-9      180      Orrville, Ohio | Orrville | McHenry County CC
Colin Doyle                  RHP/IF R/R    Fr.     6-1      220      Westerville, Ohio | St. Francis de Sales
Greyson Droste               1B      R/R    Fr.     6-2      215      Fishers, Ind. | Hamilton Southeastern
Zac Granger #                 OF     R/R    Jr.     6-2      205      Elmira, N.Y. | Horseheads | Lackawanna College
Austin Gussman $          LHP     L/L   R-Jr.   6-0      190      Thornton, Colo. | Horizon | Iowa Western CC
Kaito Hara                        IF      R/R    Fr.     5-5      145      Houston, Texas | IMG Academy
Jackson Hickert #           RHP    R/R R-Jr.   6-3      220      Hudson, Ohio | Hudson | Ventura College
Jerry Reinhart #                IF      R/R    Jr.     6-0      215      Batavia, N.Y. | Batavia | Lackawanna College
Bryant Shellenbarger # OF/1B   L/R   R-Jr.   6-2      225      Mount Vernon, Ohio | Mount Vernon | Lincoln Trail
Conor Steinbaugh #        RHP    R/R    Jr.     6-0      195      Georgetown, Ill. | Georgetown Ridge Farm | Lincoln Trail
Roy Thurman #               OF     R/R    Jr.     6-0      200      Indianapolis, Ind. | North Central | Lincoln Trail


# Transfer
$ Currently enrolled at Akron

Signee Biographies

Quotes on each player from associate head coach Jordon Banfield.

CHANDLER CANNON
Pitcher • R/R • R-Jr. • 6-0 • 185
Oregon, Ohio | Clay HS | McLennan Community College

College: Spent two seasons with coach Mitch Thompson at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas ... in 2018, team went 52-13 en route to the Region 5 championship and an appearance in the JUCO World Series ... on the mound, went 3-1 with one save ... pitched 10 innings and recorded 12 strikeouts before suffering a season-ending injury ...

High School: Four-year letterwinner at infielder and pitcher for coach Jim Phillips at Clay HS ... first-team All-Ohio, two-time first-team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference, and TRAC Pitcher of the Year ... as a senior, went 15-2 on the mound with 1.04 ERA and .550 BA ... also a three-year letterwinner in hockey.

Personal: Born November 11, 1997 ... parents are Jim Cannon and Dawn Cannon ... has four brothers– Kyle, Alec, Brendan, and Brayden– and a younger sister Allyson ... international business major.

From Banfield: "Chandler was one of the top high school pitchers in the state of Ohio at Oregon Clay before heading off to perennial World Series contender McLennan CC. He carved out a role for himself as a freshman before undergoing multiple arm surgeries. He is on track to be full-go by the time we start fall practice and when at strength will work into the low-90s with a three-pitch mix and athletic delivery."

* * *

JACOB CLARK
Pitcher • L/L • Fr. • 6-3 • 215
Muncie, Ind. | Cowan HS

High School: Three-year letterwinner for coach Ryan Conwell at Cowan HS ... Academic All-Conference as a junior ... All-Mid-Eastern Conference as a sophomore.

Personal: Born February 21, 2001 ... parents are Douglas Clark and Michelle Clark ... has a younger sister Sarah ... father. played tennis for Huntington College ... intends to study exercise science.

From Banfield: "A big, physical high school lefty, Clark showed advanced feel for a changeup with a loose arm action at our first prospect camp. Jacob is the type of guy who could potentially profile as a starter down the road as he's a proven strike thrower with feel, and one I think will really develop under Coach McKinney's guidance. He's also another strong student posting a 3.6 GPA."

* * *

AUSTIN DOMER
Outfielder • S/L • Jr. • 5-9 • 180
Orrville, Ohio | Orrville HS | McHenry County Community College

College: Spent two years at McHenry County Community College (Ill.) with coach Jared Wacker ... as a freshman in 2018, batted .309 ... had 16 RBI, 38 runs, 14 stolen bases, and eight doubles and a .455 on-base percentage as team went 44-14 ... McHenry was nationally ranked in the top 10 NJCAA DII national poll ... ranked No. 7 in final poll ... NJCAA Region IV Sectional champion and NJCAA Region IV Regional runner-up ... Academic President's List.

High School: Four-year letterwinner at outfielder and pitcher for coach Scott Marshall at Orrville HS ... three-time team captain ... finished prep career with a .332 batting average, .420 on-base percentage, and 73 stolen bases ... 2017 first-team All-Principals Athletic Conference and first-team Daily Record ... recipient of the Akron Hall of Fame Baseball scholarship ... as a senior, started all 23 games ... batted .333 ... .415 on-base percentage ... had 18 stolen bases, five doubles, and two triples ... 2016 first-team All-Ohio Cardinal Conference as a junior ... team captured the 2014 sectional title and divisional title en route to a quarterfinal appearance in the state championship ... also a four-year letterwinner in football ... had a 4.094 GPA and ranked eighth in class standings.

Personal: Born August 1, 1998 ... parents are Kyle and Deanna Domer ... has a younger brother Logan ... father played football at Potomac State (W.Va.) ... cousin Chase Davenport played baseball for two years t Wabash College before transferring to Norfolk State ... also played in the minors ... Boys and Girls Club volunteer ... Salvation Army volunteer ... youth sports coach ... Crystal Lake Food Pantry volunteer ... wants to pursue a career as a physical therapist ... exercise science/pre-physical therapy major.

From Banfield: "Austin is the best pure athlete we've signed so far, turning in plus times on the bases and having posted a laser-timed 6.45 60-yard dash in high school. He had a solid freshman season offensively at McHenry and will also be able to provide significant value to our program defensively and on the bases. Austin also sports a 4.0 junior college GPA."

* * *

COLIN DOYLE
Pitcher/Infielder • R/R • Fr. • 5-1 • 220
Westerville, Ohio | St. Francis de Sales HS

High School: Two-year letterwinner for coach Tom Neubert at St. Francis de Sales HS ... played pitcher and first base .... team went 19-11 in 2018 ... second-team All-Central Catholic League selection ... batted .360 with a home run ... on the mound, went 3-0 with three complete games and two complete game shutouts ... also a three-year letterwinner in football ... National Honor Society member.

Personal: Born June 1, 2001 ... parents are John and Victoria Doyle ... father played football at Muskingum ... plans to study exercise science or business.

From Banfield: "Colin is another kid who came to our prospect camp and impressed. He'll start off as a true two-way player for us, as we saw him run his heavy fastball into the upper-80s and there's significant raw power in his bat. He's an Ohio kid that stayed somewhat under the radar as a two-sport athlete."

* * *

GREYSON DROSTE
First Base • R/R • Fr. • 6-2 • 215
Fishers, Ind. | Hamilton Southeastern HS

High School: All-Hoosier Crossroads Conference selection at first base for coach Jeremy Sassanella at Hamilton Southeastern HS ... led the conference in home runs ... as a junior, batted .378 with seven homers.

Personal: Born October 3, 2000 ... parents are Roger and Melissa Droste ... has an older sister Hannah and a younger brother Evan ... father played baseball at Miami (Ohio) ... expected to study business.

From Banfield: "Greyson is a physical right-handed bat with a 3.9 GPA and 1300 SAT that also came to camp and impressed. He led the top conference in Indiana in home runs as a junior (7), and we're hopeful he can develop into a middle of the order type presence at Akron. He also plays for the Indiana Prospects, one of the top travel programs in the state, and is teammates with incoming LHP Jacob Clark."

* * *

ZAC GRANGER
Outfielder • R/R • Jr. • 6-2 • 205
Elmira, N.Y. | Horseheads HS | Lackawanna College

College: Spent two seasons in the outfield for coach Michael McCarry at Lackawanna College ... in 2018, team went 35-17 en route to the regional runner-up ... played in 39 games ... batted .477, had 53 hits, 31 runs, 25 RBI, seven doubles, and four stolen bases ... two-time President's List honoree.

High School: Three-year letterwinner in the outfield for coach Jeff Limoncelli at Horseheads HS ... team won the 2017 and 2015 sectional titles ... two-time All-Southern Tier Athletic Conference honoree ... also a two-year letterwinner in basketball.

Personal: Born August 29, 1999 ... parents are Jeffrey and Kim Granger ... has a younger sister Jenna and a younger brother Lucas ... psychology major.

From Banfield: "Zac's freshman numbers at Lackawanna JC speak for themselves, but what really impressed me was his willingness to come work out at camp, since we hadn't been able to evaluate him in person with the timing of our hire and the quiet period. Plenty of kids who have proven what he has and had other Division I offers wouldn't, but Zac showed up and made it clear he was a guy we needed to offer immediately. He's a sub-7.0 runner with a true right field arm and yet another signee with over a 3.5 GPA."

* * *

AUSTIN GUSSMAN
Pitcher • L/L • R-Jr. • 6-0 • 190
Thornton, Colo. | Horizon HS | Iowa Western Community College

Currently enrolled at Akron.

College: Began college career at UT Rio Grande Valley ... pitched 4.2 innings as a freshman ...
recorded first strikeout at Incarnate Word … tossed hitless inning at Grand Canyon … pitched perfect inning in collegiate debut at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ... transferred to Iowa Western Community College ... did not see action due to injury.

High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Ralph Garcia at Horizon HS ... left-handed pitcher ... also played outfield ... in prep career, registered 84 strikeouts in 83 innings of action ... helped team to the 2016 Front Range League championship ... 2016 first-team All-Front Range League and Dugout Club All-State selection ... as a senior, had 35 strikeouts in 35.2 innings of work ... also batted .349 with 18 runs, 11 RBI, four doubles, a triple, and a home run ... 2016 PBR preseason All-State pick and UnderArmour preseason All-American ... also a three-year letterwinner in football ... played safety, running back, and wide receiver ...team won 2016 Front Range League championship in football ... Honor Roll student.

Personal: Born January 4, 1998 ... parents are Cassidy and Deanna Gussman ... has an older brother Rhyan and older sister Maranda ... business major.

From Banfield: "Austin is a kid I signed in Texas originally that earned Division I innings as a freshman before transferring to Iowa Western and undergoing Tommy John surgery. He's currently on campus rehabbing with Coach McKinney and is on track to be a full participant in fall practice. At full strength, he'll sit in the mid-80s from the left side with a true out-pitch curveball that should allow him to carve out a significant role in our bullpen."

* * *

KAITO HARA
Infielder • R/R • Fr. • 5-5 • 145
Houston, Texas | IMG Academy

High School: Three-year letterwinner for coach Kason Gabbard at IMG Academy ... played second base, short stop and third base ... batted .410 as a junior ... National Honor Society member.

Personal: Born July 27, 2001 ... parents are Taiichiro Hara and Rie Hara ... has two older brothers– Yutaro and Keishiro ... expects to study business administration.

From Banfield: "Kaito is a kid that plays at IMG Academy, so Coach Sabo was very familiar with him. He's playing on their top team down in Bradenton, which is full of draft picks and really holding his own. He's a high-energy player who really excels turning the double play at second base in addition to be another elite student."

* * *

JACKSON HICKERT
Pitcher • R/R • R-Jr. • 6-3 • 220
Hudson, Ohio | Hudson HS | Ventura College

College: Rated the No. 188 junior college prospect in the country by Perfect Game (highest of any MAC commit) ... played two seasons for coach Jimmy Walker at Ventura (Calif.) College ... 2017-18 All-Conference selection ... redshirted as a sophomore (injured) ... saw action as a freshman ... had a .169 batting average against ... in 26.1 innings pitched, recorded 29 strikeouts and 11 walks ... and three saves.

High School: Played one season at Hudson HS for coach Buddy Dice and one season at Newbury Park HS for coach Matt Goldfield ... Northeastern Ohio Conference Pitcher of the Year ... team's Pitcher of the Year ... helped Hudson to the conference and sectional championships ... also played basketball at Hudson HS ... National Honor Society student.

Personal: Born February 24, 1998 ... parents are Eric Hickert and Susan Hickert ... has three older sisters– Danielle, Abbey, and Holly ... business major.

From Banfield: "Jackson is possibly the highest-profile kid we've signed so far as he had other big offers and has received national prospect recognition. He's an Ohio kid that attends Ventura College in California, working as their ace this spring. He brings a serious physical presence to the mound and will sit in the upper-80s and low-90s with heavy sink on his fastball and two solid secondary offerings. Jackson certainly has a chance to profile as a rotation guy for us or hold down the back end of the bullpen. He's also shown a commitment to academics with a 3.75 junior college GPA."

* * *

JERRY REINHART
Infielder • R/R • Jr. • 6-0 • 215
Batavia, N.Y. | Batavia HS | Lackawanna College

College: Spent two seasons at third base for coach Michael McCarry at Lackawanna College ... in 2018, team went 35-17 en route to the regional runner-up ... Scholar-Athlete ... spent freshman season at Mercer County Community College.

High School: Three-year letterwinner at shortstop and third base for coach Rick Saunders at Batavia HS ... 2017 All-State selection ... 2016 All-Conference honoree ... also a three-year letterwinner in football ... All-Conference and Scholar-Athlete in football ... two-year participant with the ski team and indoor track.

Personal: Born August 2, 1999 ... parents are Jerry and Lori Reinhart ... has a younger sister Maiya and a younger brother Jesse ... cousin Alex Piechochki plays football (defensive line) at UMass ... volunteer with the Michael Napolean Foundation ... business major.

From Banfield: "Jerry is a physical presence that excels in the weight room and turned in an impressive 6.7 60-yard dash at well over 200 pounds. He moves very well at third base, and we expect him to compete for time there right away. His athleticism and makeup also offer some positional versatility. Off the field he sports over a 3.8 junior college GPA."

* * *

BRYANT SHELLENBARGER
Outfielder/First Base • L/R • R-Jr. • 6-2 • 225
Mount Vernon, Ohio | Mount Vernon HS | Lincoln Trail College

College: Spent two seasons for coach Kevin Bowers at Lincoln Trail College ... redshirted as a sophomore (injured) ... saw action in 38 games as a freshman ... batted .308 with 22 RBI, 17 runs, three homers, and a stolen base.

High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Rob Gross at Mount Vernon HS ... saw action at pitcher and outfielder ... team on the 2014 OCC championships and four consecutive sectional championships (2013-16) ... 2016 and 2014 first-team All-OCC selection ... in prep career, batted .419, had 127 RBI, 23 strikeouts, and five home runs ... as a senior, batted, .409 and had 36 RBI, nine strikeouts, and a home run ... also played golf.

Personal: Born July 30, 1997 ... parents are Colin Shellenbarger and Lori Shellenbarger ... has two brothers– Grant and Marcus ... Marcus plays football at Walsh University ... emergency management and homeland security major.

From Banfield: "Bryant is another Ohio kid that moved on to Lincoln Trail where he worked his way into the middle of the lineup and hit over .300 as a freshman, before missing his sophomore year due to injury. He's started his redshirt sophomore campaign very strong and is a guy that has a chance to bring a left-handed presence to the middle of our order at ether first base or an outfield corner."

* * *

CONOR STEINBAUGH
Pitcher • R/R • Jr. • 6-0 • 195
Georgetown, Ill. | Georgetown Ridge Farm HS | Lincoln Trail College

College: Spent two seasons for coach Kevin Bowers at Lincoln Trail College ... as a freshman, went 4-1 with 36 strikeouts, no walks, and a 1.24 ERA ... Academic All-American.

High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Chad Steinbaugh at Georgetown Ridge Farm HS ... pitched and played short stop ... team went 22-6 in 2017 and won the Vermilion Valley Conference championship ... as a senior, All-State selection and Conference Player of the Year ... batted .551, had three home runs, and 38 RBI ... on the mound, went 8-1 with a 0.86 ERA and 103 strikeouts ... also a three-year letterwinner in basketball.

Personal: Born May 22, 1999 ... parents are Chad and Jodi Steinbaugh ... has two younger brothers– Cale and Cam– and a younger sister Lacey ... father was his high school coach ... sport management major.

From Banfield: "Conor is one of the elite strike-throwers in the country, finishing his freshman season without a single walk. His stuff has ticked up some and he's now working in the upper-80s, touching 90 with two secondary offerings for a strike. Conor has shown a burning desire to compete and is a definite candidate to pitch in our rotation as a competitor who will give you a chance to win every time out. He's also yet another signee who excels in the classroom with a 3.75 junior college GPA."

* * *

ROY THURMAN
Outfielder • R/R • Jr. • 6-0 • 200
Indianapolis, Ind. | North Central HS | Lincoln Trail College

Originally committed to Louisville.

College: Spent one season for coach Kevin Bowers at Lincoln Trail College ... played in 21 games at North Iowa Area Community College as a freshman ... had 38 at-bats, 15 runs, eight hits, and six RBI.

High School: Rated No. 500 overall and No. 13 in Indiana by Perfect Game ... played centerfield and shortstop for coach Phillip McIntyre at North Central HS ... MVP of the 2017 Indiana North-South All-Star game ... also played football ... served on the class council as a junior and senior.

Personal: Born December 15, 1997 ... parents are Roy and Maxine Thurman ... has a younger brother Caleb and two younger sisters– Taylor and Lindsay ... sport management major.

From Banfield: "Roy was a high-end high school prospect, originally committing to an ACC school that we couldn't be more excited about attending Akron. He shows outstanding instincts in the outfield and on the bases and has impressed our staff more than anything with his focus and commitment to being a great player, teammate and student."

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The University of Akron Athletics

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