Photo by: Steve Branscombe
Baseball Inks Five Additions for 2021, Bringing Class to 12 Newcomers
6/5/2020 11:31:00 AM | Baseball
Omaha, Neb. -- Bluejay baseball head coach Ed Servais announced the signing of five additions to Creighton's 2021 incoming class on Friday, June 5. Joining the Bluejays next fall will be Zach Carden (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Sterling Hayes (San Diego, Calif.), Brett Rodriguez (Queensbury, N.Y.), Dax Roper (Honea Path, S.C.) and David Webel (Coral Gables, Fla.).
The newest quintet push Creighton's 2021 signing class to 12 as Kaleb Carpenter (Lexington, Neb.), Nolan Clifford (Naperville, Ill.), Jack Erickson (Hudson, Wis.), Hudson Leach (Gladstone, Mo.), Cade Lommel (Delano, Minn.), Ryan Manikowski (New Lenox, Ill.) and Colton Smith (Bennington, Neb.) officially became Bluejays in the fall.
Prior to the five additions, Creighton's 2021 class was seen by as a Top-50 class by College Baseball Newspaper and Baseball America.
"The incoming class we signed in the fall was already strong, but these additions will make our offense more dynamic and diverse. The ability to add impact bats at this point is another testament to the hard work put in by our staff," said Servais. "Scoring runs in multiple ways is critical at this level, specifically when you think about the unique ballparks we play in every year. I am more confident this group will help put us back in position to make another run at the NCAA Tournament."
CARDEN (INF/RHP)
A two-way player, Carden was a shortstop and pitcher for Benilde-St. Margaret's High School. Ranked the 15th best player in Minnesota by Prep Baseball Report, Carden hits from the left side. On the mound the right-handed hurler touches the upper 80s with his fastball and has a plus breaking pitch.
HAYES (INF)
A member of the 2019 College World Series Championship squad, Hayes was a reserve infielder for Vanderbilt in both 2019 and 2020. A California native, Hayes saw action in five games in 2019 and four prior to the 2020 season being canceled. A four-time All-San Diego County First Team pick, Hayes was rated as California's 16th shortstop in the class of 2018 by Perfect Game. In his four seasons at Francis Parker High School, Hayes hit .318 across 124 games and posted a .475 on-base percentage. Hayes excelled in the classroom as well, earning a spot on the San Diego All-Academic Team in each year of high school.
RODRIGUEZ (INF)
A graduate transfer from Wofford, Rodriguez brings a little New York speed to the Midwest. Over 184 games at Wofford, the infielder swiped a school record 85 bases. An All-SoCon First Team selection in 2019, Rodriguez holds a career average of .294 with 183 hits including 44 of the extra-base variety. He also scored 140 runs and collected 93 RBI as a Terrier. A three-sport athlete at Queensbury High School, Rodriguez hit .430 with 26 hits, 15 RBIs, three home runs and 22 stolen bases as a senior. A First Team Section II and All-State at shortstop and pitcher, Rodriguez led his squad to a 25-1 before falling in the state semifinals. He was named Queensbury's athlete of the year in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and was a member of the National Honor Society.
The final two additions for 2021 both come to Creighton from Furman as the Paladins cut the sport following the 2020 season. Both Roper and Webel will come to the Bluejays as graduate transfers in 2021. Webel has two years of eligibility remaining and was intending to come to Creighton before Furman made its decision.
ROPER (INF/C)
A South Carolina native, Roper began his collegiate career at Coast Carolina, playing in three games during the 2017 season. The following season he starred at Florence-Darlington Tech where he hit .364 with seven home runs. He came to the Paladins last season, closing 2019 with a .278 average. A Second Team All-SoCon selection in 2019, Roper launched nine home runs, collected 33 RBI and delivered a combined 26 extra-base hits. Roper was a 2016 graduate of Belton Honea-Path High School, where he served as catcher and also played first base. He was an All-South Carolina First Team pick by USA TODAY as a senior a a two-time South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association All-State selection as a junior and senior
WEBEL (OF)
Webel played in 100 games over 2017-20 with Furman, amassing a combined .281 average. He started 78 games for the Paladins, including 11 of 12 in 2020. An outfielder originally from Florida, Webel was off to a hot start in 2020 hitting .313 with nine RBI. He was the Paladins opening day right fielder as a freshman in 2017, but was sidelined with a shoulder injury in the second week. A 2016 graduate of Coral Gables Senior High School, Webel earned Third Team All-Dade County honors after helping his squad to a semifinal finish in the district playoffs.
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The newest quintet push Creighton's 2021 signing class to 12 as Kaleb Carpenter (Lexington, Neb.), Nolan Clifford (Naperville, Ill.), Jack Erickson (Hudson, Wis.), Hudson Leach (Gladstone, Mo.), Cade Lommel (Delano, Minn.), Ryan Manikowski (New Lenox, Ill.) and Colton Smith (Bennington, Neb.) officially became Bluejays in the fall.
Prior to the five additions, Creighton's 2021 class was seen by as a Top-50 class by College Baseball Newspaper and Baseball America.
"The incoming class we signed in the fall was already strong, but these additions will make our offense more dynamic and diverse. The ability to add impact bats at this point is another testament to the hard work put in by our staff," said Servais. "Scoring runs in multiple ways is critical at this level, specifically when you think about the unique ballparks we play in every year. I am more confident this group will help put us back in position to make another run at the NCAA Tournament."
CARDEN (INF/RHP)
A two-way player, Carden was a shortstop and pitcher for Benilde-St. Margaret's High School. Ranked the 15th best player in Minnesota by Prep Baseball Report, Carden hits from the left side. On the mound the right-handed hurler touches the upper 80s with his fastball and has a plus breaking pitch.
HAYES (INF)
A member of the 2019 College World Series Championship squad, Hayes was a reserve infielder for Vanderbilt in both 2019 and 2020. A California native, Hayes saw action in five games in 2019 and four prior to the 2020 season being canceled. A four-time All-San Diego County First Team pick, Hayes was rated as California's 16th shortstop in the class of 2018 by Perfect Game. In his four seasons at Francis Parker High School, Hayes hit .318 across 124 games and posted a .475 on-base percentage. Hayes excelled in the classroom as well, earning a spot on the San Diego All-Academic Team in each year of high school.
RODRIGUEZ (INF)
A graduate transfer from Wofford, Rodriguez brings a little New York speed to the Midwest. Over 184 games at Wofford, the infielder swiped a school record 85 bases. An All-SoCon First Team selection in 2019, Rodriguez holds a career average of .294 with 183 hits including 44 of the extra-base variety. He also scored 140 runs and collected 93 RBI as a Terrier. A three-sport athlete at Queensbury High School, Rodriguez hit .430 with 26 hits, 15 RBIs, three home runs and 22 stolen bases as a senior. A First Team Section II and All-State at shortstop and pitcher, Rodriguez led his squad to a 25-1 before falling in the state semifinals. He was named Queensbury's athlete of the year in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and was a member of the National Honor Society.
The final two additions for 2021 both come to Creighton from Furman as the Paladins cut the sport following the 2020 season. Both Roper and Webel will come to the Bluejays as graduate transfers in 2021. Webel has two years of eligibility remaining and was intending to come to Creighton before Furman made its decision.
ROPER (INF/C)
A South Carolina native, Roper began his collegiate career at Coast Carolina, playing in three games during the 2017 season. The following season he starred at Florence-Darlington Tech where he hit .364 with seven home runs. He came to the Paladins last season, closing 2019 with a .278 average. A Second Team All-SoCon selection in 2019, Roper launched nine home runs, collected 33 RBI and delivered a combined 26 extra-base hits. Roper was a 2016 graduate of Belton Honea-Path High School, where he served as catcher and also played first base. He was an All-South Carolina First Team pick by USA TODAY as a senior a a two-time South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association All-State selection as a junior and senior
WEBEL (OF)
Webel played in 100 games over 2017-20 with Furman, amassing a combined .281 average. He started 78 games for the Paladins, including 11 of 12 in 2020. An outfielder originally from Florida, Webel was off to a hot start in 2020 hitting .313 with nine RBI. He was the Paladins opening day right fielder as a freshman in 2017, but was sidelined with a shoulder injury in the second week. A 2016 graduate of Coral Gables Senior High School, Webel earned Third Team All-Dade County honors after helping his squad to a semifinal finish in the district playoffs.
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