Baseball Signing Class

2016 Baseball Signing Class

Jared Willis

OF, 5-11, 185, Fr./HS
Houston, Texas (Stratford HS)
Engineering

High School: Earned three baseball letters and two football letters for the Stratford High School Spartans in Houston… 2014: District Newcomer of the Year, sophomore sunbelt and All-Greater Houston honorable mention… 2015: unanimous first team outfielder and second team All-Greater Houston… 2016: preseason first team All-Greater Houston.

Club: Played four years with the Katy 12 and Houston Warriors.

Personal: Born Dec. 19… son of Jason and Shelly Willis… wants to earn a master’s degree in engineering… chose TAMUK because he enjoyed his visit, the campus, the direction the baseball team is going in and the coach’s philosophies… admires his father because he has guided him to be the man he is today… intends to major in engineering.

Tyler Crouch

RHP, 6-0, 155, Fr./HS
Bulverde, Texas (Smithson Valley HS)
Finance/Business

High School: Earned two varsity letters for Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas… earned first career win in first start (March 7, 2015)… member of Class 6A Regional Quarterfinals team… this season, named closer with district ERA of 2.40… fourteen strikeouts in 15 innings… academic all-district.

Club: Played three summers with Scott Mayer’s South Texas Sliders in San Antonio… tossed 66.0 innings with ERA of 3.10.

Personal: Born March 1… son of Andy and Dana Crouch… aspires to coach after college… chose TAMUK because of its great baseball program, it was close to home and has a great business program… admires his father because he is very supportive and helpful… intends to major in finance or business.

Nick Masarik

RHP, 6-4, 220, Jr./TR
Columbus, Texas (Blinn JC)
Kinesiology

Blinn JC: Played two seasons for Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas… 2015: Appeared in 13 games, tossing 25.1 innings… finished with a 2-3 record and three saves… struck out 17… 2016: currently 3-6 in 10 starts with a 3.77 ERA… has 47 punchouts in 45.1 innings and a complete game… tossed 7.0 innings of one-run ball in win over McLennan Community College (Feb. 7)… struck out 10 in victory… a week later, struck out 12 in 7.0 innings in victory over Frank Phillips (Feb. 13)… career-high 8.1 innings in 2-0 contest versus Alvin Community College (April 14)… struck out eight and allowed just two runs in game.

High School: Played for Eddie Gonzales at Columbus High School… helped Columbus to first round of playoffs for three years… all-state first baseman and all-district pitcher… also played basketball in high school.

Club: Played one season for the Houston Heat club team.

Personal: Born Nov. 24… son of Cliff and Anne Masarik… has an older sister; Allie… aspires to be a coach… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because of the great coaching staff and program… admires his father because he is the best role model… intends to major in kinesiology.

Isaiah Lybarger

RHP, 6-4, 225, Jr./TR
Corpus Christi, Texas (Wharton County JC)
Business

Wharton County JC: Played two seasons for Wharton County Junior College… 2016: currently has 62 strikeouts in 54.1 innings… 6-4 record in 10 games, two starts… 10.27 strikeouts per nine innings… seven strikeouts in 6.0 innings in season debut vs. Ranger (Feb. 6)… seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings in win over Brookhaven (Feb. 13)… seven punchouts in second win of season over San Jacinto-North (Feb. 24)… followed with eight strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work in third win of season over Laredo Community College (March 4)… season-high 7.0 innings and nine strikeouts in 8-2 win over Alvin (April 1)… in most recent start of season (April 15 at Laredo), struck out seven in 7.0 innings for victory… 2015: struck out 17 in 16.2 innings of work as a freshman… went 3-1 in nine games, all out of the ‘pen.

High School: Earned four varsity letters at Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, Texas… went 9-0 as a senior in 2014.

Personal: Goes by Zay… born Nov. 29… son of John Canales and Tanya Lybarger… has a younger brother, Devin, and younger sister, Jullee… wants to open up his own baseball facility… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because it is close to home and he loves the coaching staff… admires Chris Sale… intends to major in business.

Walker Winders

SS, 5-10, 180, Jr./TR
Belton, Texas (Blinn JC)
Wildlife Management

Blinn JC: Played two seasons for Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas… 2015: Played in 35 games… earned 27 hits and scored 13 runs in 108 at bats… tallied a double and home run, 12 RBI, eight walks and three stolen bases… 2016: two home runs, six doubles and 20 RBI in 42 games thus far this season… 39 hits and 16 runs… eleven multi-hit games… currently on a seven-game hit streak… NJCAA All-Star team selection.

High School: Played for Eddie Cornblum at Belton High School… named second team all-district as a junior… named first team all-district and Texas all-star team Sunbelt Classic… helped Belton to fourth round freshman year, third round sophomore year and first round in junior and senior year… two-time all-district first team selection, district MVP and Team Texas honoree.

Club: Played four seasons for the Waco Storm.

Personal: Goes by Walker… born Jan. 25… son of James and Alice Winders… has two older brothers; Josh and Garrett… Garrett played baseball at Mary-Hardin Baylor… chose Kingsville because it was a perfect fit for him… admires his father because of the adversity he has overcome… intends to major in wildlife management.

Dax McCleary

OF, 5-10, 180, Fr./HS
Sweeny, Texas (Sweeny HS)
Kinesiology

High School: Earned three varsity baseball letters and two football letters for Sweeny High School… Bulldogs were football bi-district champions and baseball district champions all three years… football first team all-district, all-county defensive MVP and baseball all-district honorable mention.

Club: Played four years with C2 Baseball in Houston.

Personal: Born Dec. 3… son of Derrick McCleary and Veronica Stegall… wants to become a coach… chose TAMUK because of the campus and baseball team… intends to major in kinesiology.

Chris Adams

C, 6-0, 220, Fr./HS
San Antonio, Texas (Smithson Valley HS)
Kinesiology

High School: Earned three varsity letters for Smithson Valley High School… District 25-6A back-to-back champions (2014-15)… leading team with eight doubles in 2016 and hitting over .300… 2014-15 All-American honorable mention… 2016 Rawlings-Perfect Game honorable mention… Texas All-Region second team.

Club: Played for Banditos of Austin club.

Personal: First name is Christopher… born Oct. 21… son of Paul and Michelle Mendoza… has a younger sister, Kylee… wants to become an athletic trainer… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because of its great baseball program and coaching staff, kinesiology program and campus… admires his father because of the adversity he overcame… intends to major in kinesiology.

2015 Baseball Signing Class

Michael Box

Pitcher, 6-3, 227, Jr.
Humble, Texas (Ranger College)
Physical Therapy/Engineering

Ranger: Played two seasons for Ranger College… currently boasts a 2-1 mark and 23 strikeouts in 43.0 innings for the Rangers (nine appearances) in 2015.

High School: Two-sport athlete at Atascocita High School in Humble, Texas… member of the baseball and basketball teams for the Eagles.

Personal: Son of James and Mary Box… has an older sister, Amber… hopes to advance to the professional rankings… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because it has a great tradition.

Ruben Almaguer

1B/3B, 5-11, 205, Fr.
Deer Park, Texas (Deer Park HS South)
Finance/Accounting

High School: Lettered two years for Deer Park High School South… first team All-District 22-6A third baseman, academic achievement award four years and a two-year National Honor Society recipient… also lettered on the gridiron as a member of the football team.

Club: Played three years for the Allen Baseball Club in Katy, Texas.

Personal: Son of Ruben and Denise Almaguer… has four younger siblings, Sarah, Steven, Rebekah and David… wants to work in the financial industry… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because it was a good fit for his future studies and he was given the opportunity to join the baseball team… admires his parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts who have taught and instilled in him the importance of being self-sufficient and hardworking… plans on majoring in finance or accounting.

Hunter Lehman

C/RHP, 6-0, 200, Jr.
Kyle, Texas (Blinn JC)
Wildlife Management

Blinn JC: Played two seasons at Blinn Junior College as a right-handed pitcher and catcher… registered six RBI and eight runs as a freshman and this season, he is batting .325 with two home runs, nine doubles, 17 RBI, 20 runs and seven stolen bases… on the bump, he has struck out six in 6.1 innings (three appearances)… team advanced to the 2014 NJCAA World Series and he was named to the 2014 academic all-conference team.

High School: Earned three letters for Lehman High School in Kyle, Texas… 2013 district MVP… 2012 first team all-district… 2011 all-district honorable mention… team competed in bi-district playoffs in 2010-11… set a school record for strikeouts in a single season with 97… in his senior season, he belted three home runs and nine doubles to go with a .326 batting average and 19 RBI… on the mound, he was 7-1 with a 1.48 earned run average and 97 punch outs in 2013.

Club: Played three years for the Line Drive Academy in Buda, Texas… in 2013, the team finished with a record of 25-3.

Personal: Son of Julius and Laura Lehman… his cousin Chris Hill played baseball for Texas State University… plans on pursuing a career as a wildlife biologist… chose TAMUK because of the well-respected wildlife program and the baseball team’s winning tradition… he admires the U.S. Soldiers because they are putting themselves in harm’s way to protect him while he chases his dreams… intends to major in wildlife management.

Michael Rohland

OF, 5-9, 160, Fr.
League City, Texas (Clear Creek HS)
Kinesiology

High School: Earned four letters for Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas… led Wildcats to a District 24-5A, bi-district and area title in 2014 as team advanced to regional quarterfinals… bi-district finalists in 2012 and 2013… first team all-district outfielder in 2013 and 2014 and second team All-Houston outfielder in 2014 after breaking the team record for most at bats in a single season with 100… also lettered as a member of the track and field program.

Club: Played for C2 Baseball in Houston, Texas for three seasons.

Personal: Full name is Michael Anthony Rohland… son of Michael and Rose Rohland… has a younger brother, Tyler… wants to become a physical therapist… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because it is a great campus and has a great baseball program… admires his parents because they do their best every day and always set a great example for him… intends to major in kinesiology.

Jacob Foitek

LHP, 6-2, 190, Jr.
Denton, Texas (Odessa JC)
Business Finance

High School: Earned three letters for Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, Texas… 2013 team MVP… three-time first team all-district honoree… led team to regional championship and state runner-up appearance in 2011… 2011 Newcomer of the Year and all-state honorable mention selection.

Personal: Son of Jerry and Donna Foitek… has an older sister, Brittney… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because of the baseball program and the excellent business finance program… admires both of his parents because they taught him everything… intends to major in business finance.

Alex Canul

LHP, 6-4, 215, Fr.
Edinburg, Texas (Edinburg North HS)
Civil Engineering

High School: Dual sport athlete earning three letters in both baseball and football for Edinburg North High School in Edinburg, Texas… team earned 2014 district and area championships and advance to the regional quarterfinals… 2013 bi-district qualifiers… set school record in wins with 22… 2013 first baseman honorable mention and 2014 third team all-state pitcher, All-Valley designated hitter, first team all-district pitcher and DH and Region IV pitcher… 10-4 with a 2.42 ERA and 97 strikeouts as a junior… also hit .297 with 18 RBI in 2014… currently 3-2 with a 1.44 ERA and is hitting .364 with 16 hits and 16 RBI in 66 plate appearances.

Club: Played for two club teams… spent a season with the Texas Lions out of San Antonio, Texas and followed with a year with the South Texas Venom out of Mission, Texas.

Personal: Full name is Alejandro Canul… son of Tommy Canul and Elena Saustaita… has four siblings; brothers Aaron, Robert and Danny and sister Alyssa… Aaron competed on the Texas A&M-Kingsville bass fishing team from 2013-15 and Alyssa is currently on the UT-Pan American track and field team… aspires to become a professional baseball player or become a civil engineer… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because it was the best fit for him as a student-athlete and it gives his parents the opportunity to come and see him play… admires his grandparents because they are some of the hardest working people he know and have taught him almost everything he needs to be successful in any aspect of his life… intends to major in civil engineering.

Donovan Lewis

RHP/INF, 6-0, 190, Fr.
Alvin, Texas (Manvel HS)
Undecided

High School: Earned three baseball letters for Manvel High School… hit .478 overall and .543 in district play with two home runs, earning team MVP honors… one-time Texas 6A Hitter of the Week as a senior and first team all-district shortstop… also selected to first team all-district as a pitcher his junior season before receiving honorable selection nod in 2015… also a member of the Maverick football team.

Club: Played two years for the College State 12 club team in College Station, Texas.

Personal: Born Aug. 11… son of Monte and Amy Lewis… has a younger brother, Darren, and younger sister, Devyn… father Monte played football at Texas State University… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because the campus is beautiful and the community is tightly knit… admires the Javelina coaching staff for the amount of time they dedicate to each individual player and the team… undecided major.

Jordan Gunter

1B, 6-0, 235, Fr.
Santa Fe, Texas (Santa Fe HS)
Wildlife Management

High School: Earned three varsity letters for Sante Fe High School… tallied 15 career home runs for the Indians… two-time gold glove and team MVP honoree… two-time first team all-district selection… 2014 second team all-county and third team all-state… finished high school career with a .320 batting average, 81 hits, 63 RBI and 16 doubles, along with a .420 on-base percentage… hit .362 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 30 RBI in 2014 and .333 with 25 RBI, five doubles and eight home runs in 2015.

Club: Played for American Legion club in League City, Texas.

Personal: Born April 22… son of Mike and Andrea Gunter… has two younger siblings, Brendan and Lexi…aspires to own his own breeding facility… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because he really enjoyed the school and the coaching staff… admires his grandfather the most because he taught him to do work hard on and off the field… intends to major in wildlife management.

Timothy Johnson

RHP/INF, 6-2, 190, Fr.
Santa Fe, Texas (Santa Fe HS)
Agriculture

High School: Earned four varsity letters for the Santa Fe High School baseball team… finished with a .339 overall batting average in 2015, with 88 hits, eight home runs, 11 doubles and five triples… in 2014, he registered 32 hits, six doubles, two home runs, 17 RBI and a .323 BA… as a sophomore, he had his best offensive season, tallying a .384 batting average with 33 hits, five doubles, five home runs and 22 RBI… awarded first team all-district and second team all-county third baseman in 2013, offensive player of the district and county in 2014 and first team all-district shortstop and team MVP in 2015… also collected the U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award in 2015.

Club: Played two seasons for American Legion Post 554 in League City, Texas

Personal: Born Nov. 5… son Tim and Stephanie Johnson… has three younger siblings, sister Ashley and brothers Dallan and Rylan… wants to pursue an agriculture degree and take over his family’s ranch… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because it was a perfect fit athletically, academically and socially… admires his parents because they put everyone before themselves and are very passionate… intends to major in agriculture, emphasizing on agribusiness.

Preston Plovanich

LHP/OF, 5-10, 185, Fr.
Santa Fe, Texas (Santa Fe HS)
Business

High School: Two-sport athlete at Santa Fe High School… earned three total letters on the diamond and was also a member of the Indian football team… named Indian Ace twice… collected sophomore sunbelt… 2015 first team all-district pitcher and outfielder, all-county first team and Houston area all-star… earned two wins and boasted a 2.84 ERA in 2013… best season on the hill came in 2014, when he finished 7-2 with a 1.51 ERA, two saves, a shutout and 89 strikeouts in 65 innings… followed with a 6-4 mark and 75 punch outs in 50 innings as a senior… batted .318 with four home runs, 15 doubles and two triples… .323 batting average in 14 games as a sophomore and tallied 11 extra base hits in 2014 hitting at a .333 clip… scored 21 runs in 2015.

Personal: Born Jan. 13… son of Scott and Sheila Plovanich… has a younger brother, Keaton… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because he wanted a chance to play baseball at a four-year school with an established business program… wants to run a business… admires his father because he pushed him to become who he is today and Scott is a role model… intends to major in business.

Sebi Palacios

RHP, 5-10, 185, Jr.
Premont, Texas (Midland JC)
Civil Engineering

Midland JC: Played two seasons for Midland College, tallying four saves in 26.0 innings in 2015… punched out 22 hitters in 20 appearances out of the bullpen… in 2014, went 3-0 with a save and 3.42 ERA in 26.1 innings… struck out 29 batters in 20 appearances as a setup man.

High School: Played one season for Calallen High School in Corpus Christi, Texas… started three games on the hill for the Wildcats, earning a win in each contest… collected 19 strikeouts in 13.2 innings while limiting opponents to a .184 batting average.

Personal: Full name is Sebastian Palacios… born May 23… son of Anna Recio, a Texas A&M-Kingsville alum… has two older siblings, brother Santi and sister Deleen… chose TAMUK because of its engineering program and reputation… intends to major in civil engineering.

Dom Cruz

LHP, 6-0, 165, Fr.
San Antonio, Texas (Kenedy HS)
Kinesiology

High School: Four-sport athlete at Kenedy High School, lettering in football, basketball, track and field and baseball… tallied 580 total strikeouts in four years and a 2.40 ERA… earned Newcomer of the Year honors in 2012 as the Lions won the bi-district title… first team all-district pitcher as a sophomore to lead Kenedy to back-to-back bi-district championships and an area championship… team advanced to the regionals in 2014 and he was named first team all-district for the second consecutive season along with second team all-state… as a senior, team advanced to the regional semifinals and he was the district MVP and competed in the Corpus Christi Hooks Small High School All-Star Game… also on the state 4x100m relay team in 2014 and won district in basketball as a junior and senior en route to a 2A All-State Basketball Alternate and District MVP nod… in 2015 second round playoff contest versus Harper, he threw 14 innings and 172 pitches before stealing home to lead the Lions to a victory… a couple of days later, he threw 144 in the 3-1 third round victory of the Region IV-2A playoffs.

Personal: Born July 9… full name is Dominic Cruz… son of Robert and Belinda Garza Cruz… has an older brother, Isaac… aspires to become a high school coach… coach Texas A&M-Kingsville because he liked the atmosphere and coaches and it is close to home… admires his high school coaches because they made sports fun… intends to major in kinesiology.

Payton Geisinger

INF, 5-9, 170, Jr.
Wichita Falls, Texas (Cedar Valley JC)
Criminal Justice/Engineering

Cedar Valley JC: Played two seasons for Cedar Valley Junior College in Lancaster, Texas, at the hot corner… hit .418 as a freshman and .355 as a sophomore en route to earning second team all-conference honors both years… team captain in 2015.

Cisco JC: Attended Cisco Junior College for a semester, but did not receive game action.

High School: Attended Rider High School in Wichita Falls, Texas, lettering on the baseball and football teams… hit .318 for the Raiders as a senior… earned Hollars Gill Hustle Award in back-to-back years (2012-13)… 2013 THSBCA third team all-state third base, academic all-state and all-star… also garnered TRN Diamond Dozen Team, GWTBCA all-star, team co-MVP and district co-MVP honors as a senior… honorable mention third base in 2012… team went on to win the 2011 Texas State Championship… two-time state runner-ups (2010, 2013).

Club: Played two years for the Dallas Titans/Ronin.

Personal: Born Dec. 20… son of Chuck and Deedee Geisinger… has a twin brother Landon and younger sister, Katelyn… brother played two years of college baseball at Cedar Valley… wants to become a warden… chose Texas A&M-Kingsville because of its excellent coaching staff… intends to double major in criminal justice and engineering.