Akron Baseball Signs Additional 13 Student-Athletes

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

"Our goal as a staff is to move the Akron baseball program forward and compete at a high level," Sabo said. "We feel our signing class to date puts our program in a good position to compete in the MAC immediately in 2020. Coach Banfield and Coach McKinney have done an excellent job in bringing in student-athletes who believe in the renaissance of Akron Baseball. We will continue to seek student-athletes who will represent The University of Akron properly. I eagerly await the beginning of our program in the Fall of 2019."

Overall, the class features homegrown talent. Ten student-athletes list their hometowns within the state of Ohio, five within a 30-mile radius of campus.

Additionally, three incoming Zips hail from Illinois and Indiana, two from New York, and one each from Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Additionally, nine are high school seniors, while 17 are junior college transfers. Twelve are listed as pitchers, seven as infielders, five as outfielders, and two as catchers.

Eighteen of the signees played at least one other sport in high school. Fourteen earned academic honors for sporting a 3.5+ grade-point average. Incoming freshman LHP Brett Dietrich (Goshen, Ohio) earned the University's Buckingham Award from the Williams Honors College for his perfect ACT score.

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
Justin Barr #                     IF      R/R    Jr.     6-1      175      Pensacola, Fla. | Milton | Andrew
Josh Beck #                      C      R/R    Jr.    5-10     195      Ottawa Lake, Mich. | Whiteford | Jackson College
Logan Bell                      RHP    R/R    Fr.     6-1      188      Lisbon, Ohio | David Anderson
Brett Dietrich                  LHP     L/L     Fr.     6-2      180      Goshen, Ohio | Goshen
Bradley Goulet #               IF      R/R    Jr.     6-1      195      Cottage Grove, Minn. | New Life Academy | Dakota Co.
Dylan James                IF/RHP S/R    Fr.     6-1      155      Danville, Ohio | Danville
Daniel Johnson                 C      R/R    Fr.    5-10     170      Gilbert, Ariz. | Mesquite
Austin Kelly #                 RHP    R/R    Jr.     6-1      215      Little Rock, Ark. | Robinson | Wabash Valley College
Quinton Kujawa #           RHP    R/R    Jr.     6-5      170      Mt. Vernon, Ill. | Mt. Vernon Twp. | Lewis & Clark CC
Chance Lomas               RHP    R/R    Fr.     6-2      175      Shreve, Ohio | Triway
Matthew Radtka #           LHP     L/L     Jr.    5-10     165      Uniontown, Ohio | Lake | Cuyahoga CC
Dominick Trevino #          OF     R/R    Jr.     5-9      175      Edmond, Okla. | Edmond Sante Fe | NOC Tonkawa CC
Tate Wargo #                   IF      R/R    Jr.     5-7      160      Benld, Ill. | Gillespie | Lewis & Clark CC


# Transfer

Signee Biographies

Quotes on each player from associate head coach Jordon Banfield.

JUSTIN BARR
Infielder • R/R • Jr. • 6-1 • 175
Pensacola, Fla. | Milton HS | Andrew College

College: Spent the 2019 season at Andrew College playing shortstop for coach Blake Williams ... started every game as a sophomore ... currently hitting .399 with 14 doubles, three triples, four home runs, and 21 stolen bases ... started all 53 games at shortstop ... has only eight errors in 53 games ... sat out the 2018 season due to the NCAA transfer rules ... spent freshman season at Central Alabama CC ... President's List honoree for fall 2018.

High School: Three-year letterwinner for coach George Blake at Milton HS ... played shortstop and pitcher ... 2016 FHSAA All-Conference selection ... 2016 North Florida Subway All-Star pick ... team won the 2016 district championship ... as a senior, had 18 hits, 13 runs, nine RBI, and three doubles ... National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Honors Society member ... also participated in student government and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Personal: Born January 4, 1998 ... parents are Deanna and Wayne Barr ... has four sisters– April, Amanda, Emmalee, and Jaden ... business major.

From Banfield: "Justin is a kid we've been aware of for some time, and I was able to go see play in Georgia right after the quiet period ended. We were in the market for an older guy who could defend short, and while I was pretty certain he could do that before seeing him live, he really impressed with his ability in the box and on the bases. He turned in multiple sub 4.3 times down the line and has continued to show more juice in his bat than you'd expect. His stat line this spring speaks for itself as he's hitting over .400 at a D1 JuCo with surprising power and 20 steals. Additionally, he's a really mature, quality student and on his visit that stood out as much as his 3.8 GPA."

* * *

JOSH BECK
Catcher • R/R • Jr. • 5-10 • 195
Ottawa Lake, Mich. | Whiteford HS | Jackson College

College: Spent two seasons with coach Rick Smith at Jackson College ... as a freshman in 2018, played in 36 games ... batted .309 with 17 RBI and a home run.

High School: Four-year letterwinner at catcher for coach Terry Pant at Whiteford HS ... three-time All-Tri-County Conference, three-time D4 All-District, three-time D4 All-Region, and two-time All-State selection ... in prep career, batted .452 with seven home runs and 44 doubles ... 2016 Monroe County Regional Player of the Year ... as a senior in 2017, hit .485 with three homers, 14 doubles, and 33 RBI ... also a 2016 Honorable Mention All-State selection at linebacker.

Personal: Born August 18, 1997 ... nickname is Pete ... parents are Williams and Mari Beck ... has an older brother Jacob ... business management major.

From Banfield: "'Pete' is a guy that popped up later this spring and really stood out for his defensive skillset and the way he controls the game behind the plate. He's an advanced receiver and blocker with true above average arm strength. We believe the catcher position to be the most important on the field, and we really believe he's a guy that will compete to hold down that spot. Offensively he's a tough out and gritty guy in the box that will stand out for the type of energy and toughness he plays with."

* * *

LOGAN BELL
Pitcher • R/R • Fr. • 6-1 • 188
Lisbon, Ohio | David Anderson HS

High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Doug Andric at David Anderson HS ... 2019 preseason All-Ohio ... has started his senior season with outstanding numbers– 5-1 record with 77 strikeouts and 10 walks in 34 innings pitched ... batted .387 and had 90 hits, 19 doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 58 RBI ... on the mound, pitched 150.2 innings for an 18-6 overall record, 1.677 ERA, and 180 strikeouts ... 2017 and 2018 first-team All-Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference and first-team D4 All-Northeast Inland District ...as a sophomore in 2017, team went 18-6 en route to ITCL championship and sectional title ... as a freshman, named Honorable Mention ITCL and Honorable Mention D4 All-Northeast Inland District ... also a four-year letterwinner in football ... two-time first-team All-EOAC selection ... two-year participant in basketball ... Honorable Mention Columbiana County in football and basketball ... National Honor Society member ... also participated in science club and Spanish club.

Personal: Born August 27, 2001 ... parents are Charles and Alison Bell ... has an older sister Alexa ... intends to study accounting.

From Banfield: "Logan is an Ohio high school kid that we were aware of and worked hard to get to one of our big winter camps. It only took a couple of pitches for us to identify him as a guy we had to have in the class as he sat in the upper-80s with his fastball and spun a tight breaking ball around the zone. He did so coming straight over from a basketball practice, as he's a three-sport athlete at Lisbon Anderson. Logan has the potential to be a high-end arm for us early in his career as we've seen him up to 91 mph this spring, and we are lucky to be able to get him relatively late in the process. He also carries over a 4.0 GPA."

* * *

BRETT DIETRICH
Pitcher • L/L • Fr. • 6-2 • 180
Goshen, Ohio | Goshen HS

As a Freshman (2019-20): Earned the Buckingham Award from the Williams Honors College as an incoming freshman.

High School: Left-handed pitcher for coach Greg Tissot at Goshen HS ... struck out 13 batters in the win over Batavia (April 2, 2019) ... participated in the Prep Baseball Repot Winter Senior Showcase ... ranked among the top 100 in the state ... played summer ball with the Grizzlies ... has a perfect 4.00 grade-point averaged ... scored a perfect 36 on his ACT.

Personal: Born April 13, 2001 ... parents are Kurt and Danielle Dietrich ... has a sister Kendra ... intends to study actuarial science.

From Banfield: "Brett is a projectable left-hander that will get into the mid-80s with a clean arm action. With continued physical development we think he has a chance to really blossom under Coach McKinney as he's just scratching the surface of what he could be. Additionally, Brett earned the Buckingham Award, the highest academic award an incoming freshman can receive here and sports a perfect 36 ACT score."

* * *

BRADLEY GOULET
Infielder • R/R • Jr. • 6-1 • 195
Cottage Grove, Minn. | New Life Academy | Dakota County Technical College

College: Spent two years with coach Matthew Erzar at Dakota County (Minn.) Technical College ... played shortstop and third base ... 2018 Region XIII Player of the Year and tournament MVP as a freshman ... saw action in 48 games, batting .389 ... had 63 hits, 12 doubles, six triples, four homers, 29 RBI, and 34 stolen bases.

High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Dave Darr at the New Life Academy ... 2016 All-State selection ... 2016 and 2015 All-MCAA pick ... batted .356 with 26 hits, seven doubles, a triple, a home run, 30 runs, 19 RBI, and nine stolen bases ... also a two-time All-Conference pick in basketball.

Personal: Born August 26, 1997 ... parents are Robert and Sharon Goulet ... organizational supervision major.

From Banfield: "Brad will come in from a tools perspective as one of the top athletes in the league. He arrived at Dakota County Tech extremely raw and really took off under Coach Erzar during his redshirt freshman season winning number of regional awards. He's a true plus runner with a plus arm and serious natural strength that has as high of a ceiling as anyone we've signed. While he plays shortstop now, we see him as a second or third baseman that could potentially also fit in the outfield. Our program places lots of value on athleticism, and he certainly checks all of those boxes, producing 19 extra base hits and 31 stolen bases so far this spring."

* * *

DYLAN JAMES
Infielder/Pitcher • S/R • Fr. • 6-1 • 155
Danville, Ohio | Danville HS

High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Brian Bratton at Danville HS ... pitched and played shortstop ... 2019 preseason first-team All-State by PBR ... Rawling/Perfect Game USA All-Region Team pick ... 2018 Honorable Mention All-State, first-team All-Area, first-team All-District infielder honoree ... 2017 first-team All-District infielder ... 2016 second-team All-Conference ... also a two-year letterwinner in basketball ... 2019 Honorable Mention All-Ohio and first-team All-District ... 2019 All-Star participant ... two-time first-team All-District, second-team All-Conference, and third-team All-Central Ohio in hoops ... Honor Roll student ... volunteered on clean-up day and with kids' ball.

Personal: Born November 23, 2000 ... parents are Steve James and Noelle Thompson ... has a younger brother Noah ... father played baseball for the Coshocton Tripplets (1985-86) ... hobby is selling/trading tennis shoes ... intends to study integrated marketing.

From Banfield: "Dylan James in another athletic Ohio high school player that's an accomplished basketball player with a high ceiling on the diamond. He's a 6.9 runner that will throw it across the diamond in the upper-80s at 6'1 and not much over 150 pounds. We've signed him as a switch-hitting shortstop, but will also work to develop him on the mound where he has a quick arm and the ability to spin a true curveball. If Dylan puts in the work to develop physically, we think he has a chance to impact our team as soon as a year from now as his natural tools are impressive, especially considering his very young frame."

* * *

DANIEL JOHNSON
Catcher • R/R • Fr. • 5-10 • 170
Gilbert, Ariz. | Mesquite HS

High School: Two-year letterwinner at catcher for coach Jeff Holland at Mesquite HS ... two-time second-team All-State selection ... as a senior, batted .388 with seven doubles and 31 RBI ... team won the 2018 regional championship and advanced to the state semifinals.

Personal: Born October 26, 2000 ... mother is Mindi Johnson ... has two older sisters– Bethanie and Hannah– and an older brother Jonathan ... uncle Paul Ziegler played outfield for the 1978 USC national champions and for the California Angels ... expects to study marketing management.

From Banfield: "Daniel is a player I knew from my days in Arizona and have seen play a number of times. When we evaluated our needs behind the plate this spring, I kept coming back to him as the unsigned high school player I knew we could trust him on defense from day one. The ball simply doesn't go by him, and he's a tremendously accurate thrower that has handled a staff full of high-DI arms at Mesquite HS. He's continued to improve offensively and from a makeup standpoint is simply the kind of winning player you want on your side."

* * *

AUSTIN KELLY
Pitcher • R/R • Jr. • 6-1 • 215
Little Rock, Ark. | Robinson HS | Wabash Valley College

College: Ranked No. 56 by Prep Baseball Report and No. 195 by Perfect Game on their JUCO prospects list ... spent the 2019 season at Wabash Valley College with coach Rob Fournier ... played freshman season (2018) with coach Tom Arrington at San Jacinto College ... originally committed to Arkansas.

High School: Top-ranked HS pitcher in Arkansas and No. 152 nationally by Prep Baseball Report ... four-year letterwinner for coach Isaac Delaney at Robinson HS ... pitched and played right field ... three-time All-State and four-time All-Conference selection ... team won two state championships ... also a four-year letterwinner in football which won a 7A state championships ... played summer baseball for Bryant Blacksoxs.

Personal: Born November 11, 1997 ... parents are Randy Kelly and Shantell Kelly ... has an older brother Devin ... exercise science major.

From Banfield: "From a prospect perspective Austin may be the highest profile guy we've signed as he was initially committed to an SEC school and has since been at two of the top junior college programs in the country. He'll run his fastball into the mid-90s at times with a tremendously loose arm and has only scratched the surface of what he could be as Austin was a two-way player until recently. Baseball aside, I've been extremely impressed with the commitment he's made to academics this year and couldn't be more excited to be a part of his continued development on and off the field when he gets to Akron."

* * *

QUINTON KUJAWA
Pitcher • R/R • Jr. • 6-5 • 170
Mt. Vernon, Ill. | Mt. Vernon Twp. HS | Lewis & Clark CC

College: Played freshman season (2018) season at Lewis & Clark Community College, playing for coach Randy Martz ... 2018 second-team All-Conference selection ... recorded 81 strikeouts and 23 walks in 80 innings pitched.

High School: Two-year letterwinner for coach Tim Holloway at Mt. Vernon Township HS ... pitched and played outfield and second base ... set the single-season record with a 0.76 ERA as a senior in 2017 ... during prep career, went 12-3 in 112.1 innings pitched for a 1.37 ERA, 121 strikeouts, and 27 walks ... 2017 IBCA All-State, South Seven Conference Pitcher of the Year and co-MVP, and All-South selection ... as a senior, batted .258 with a .345 on-base percentage and 18 RBI ... on the mound, went 7-0 with a 0.76 ERA ... participated in the 2017 SIBCA All-Star game ... also a four-year letterwinner in basketball.

Personal: Born September 4, 1998 ... parents are Craig and Julie Kujawa ... has two older sisters– Keatyn and Kelby– and a younger brother Calan ... business major.

From Banfield: "Quinton is the rare junior college prospect with significant physical projection remaining. At 6-foot-5 and well under 200-pounds, he generates impressive arm speed, working 86-89 mph as a starter, that should only continue to increase under Coach McKinney and our strength program. He's a guy with a track record of success and strike-throwing ability that has a chance to be an immediate contributor for us in a number of roles."

* * *

CHANCE LOMAS
Pitcher • R/R • Fr. • 6-2 • 175
Shreve, Ohio | Triway HS

High School: Four-year letterwinner at pitcher and shortstop for coach Sean Carmichael at Triway HS ... four-time All-PAC 7 Conference honoree ... two-time All-District pick ... also lettered for two seasons in basketball.

Personal: Born April 26, 2000 ... parents are Greg and Heidi Lomas ... has three older sisters– Ashley, Amber, and Cristi ... expects to study education.

From Banfield: "Chance possesses one of the higher ceilings of any kid we've signed so far as he worked into the upper-80s as a sophomore in high school before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He'll play shortstop for his high school this spring, but hold off on pitching in game action until he arrives at Akron in the fall. We're certainly excited to see his progress under Coach McKinney as he has a definite chance to be a weekend guy at some point in his career."

* * *

MATTHEW RADTKE
Pitcher • L/L • Jr. • 5-10 • 165
Uniontown, Ohio | Lake HS | Cuyahoga CC

COLLEGE: Pitched for coach Evan Agona in 2019 at Cuyahoga Community College ... spent freshman season (2018) at Earlham College (Ind.) with coach Steve Sakosits ... in 10 appearances, went 2-1 in 25.0 innings pitched ... struck out 19 and walked six.

High School: Three-year letterwinner for coach Joe Anderson at Lake HS ... pitched and played outfield and first base ... participated in the 2017 Hank Miller All-Star game ... volunteered with the mentoring program.

Personal: Born September 27, 1998, in Akron ... parents are Greg and Amy Radtka ... has an older sister Molly ... wants to pursue a career in physical therapy for athletes ... pre-physical therapy major.

From Banfield: "Matt is a local product that's really developed since high school and will now work in the mid-80s from the left side. He's having a very productive year at Tri-C and is a guy we hope can make an immediate contribution out of our bullpen. More than anything he has impressed me with how serious he is about being good and certainly brings the type of makeup we're looking for as we establish the culture of a new program."

* * *

DOMINICK TREVINO
Outfielder • R/R • Jr. • 5-9 • 175
Edmond, Okla. | Edmond Sante Fe HS | Northern Okla. Tonkawa

COLLEGE: Spent two seasons with coach Ryan Bay at Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa ... played outfield ... 2018 All-Region Gold Glove and a NJCAA Player of the Week honoree ... as a freshman (2018), batted .369 with 59 hits, including 14 doubles, two triples, a homer, and 40 RBI ... also had 15 stolen bases.

High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Ryan Phillips at Edmond Sante Fe HS ... played outfield, infield, and pitched ... 2017 All-State and All-Conference selection ... as a senior, batted .430 with 19 stolen bases on team that went 26-8.

Personal: Born February 17, 1999 ... father is Michael Trevino ... has an older sister Abigail and a younger brother Max ... computer information systems/cybersecurity major.

From Banfield: "Coach McKinney went to Oklahoma in early March to see another player and left the field thinking Dom was the guy that we had to have. He's been extremely productive in his two seasons in Tonkawa and is yet another guy whose makeup I'm completely sold on. He's an average runner (on the pro scale) whose instincts allow him to cover a ton of ground in center field and has plenty of arm to play either there or in right. Going along with the theme of being a guy who just does everything right on and off the field, he's also a solid student with a 3.4 junior college GPA."

* * *

TATE WARGO
Infielder • R/R • Jr. • 5-7 • 160
Benld, Ill. | Gillespie HS | Lewis & Clark CC

COLLEGE: Spent two seasons with coach Randy Martz at Lewis & Clark Community College ... played shortstop ... as a freshman in 2017, led the team with a.319 batting average with 30 walks, .456 on-base percentage and 20 stolen bases while starting.

High School: Four-year letterwinner at shortstop for coach Jeremy Smith at Gillespie HS .... three-time All-South Central Conference selection ... over four-year prep career, batted .359 ... as a senior (2017), batted .427 ... also played football and basketball ... as a senior, earned gridiron All-Conference honors on offense and defense ... All-Conference pick in hoops as a senior ... National Honor Society member.

Personal: Born May 6, 1999 ... parents are Tim and Julie Wargo ... has two older brothers– Trae and Tristen ... father played baseball (1988-90) at SIU-Edwardsville ... brother Trae played at Benedictine (2014) ... likes to play ping pong ... business major.

From Banfield: "Despite being undersized, Tate has the skillset and track record of success to help us at a number of spots. He's a plus runner that plays shortstop at Lewis and Clark, but could defend all three spots on the infield for us and also could certainly handle the outfield in a super-utility role. Offensively he's a tough out with a two-year track record of being a high walk-rate guy that can steal bases and help us generate runs in a number of ways. He also sports a 3.9 junior college GPA."

The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Baseball Signs Additional 13 Student-Athletes

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