Baseball | 6/17/2020 11:00:00 AM
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – After seeing his 2020 season cut short by the COVID-19 virus, West Liberty University baseball coach is off to a good start in reloading for the 2021 campaign.
Well into his second decade in the Hilltopper dugout and now heading into his ninth year as the Hilltopper head man, Burkle has cast a wide recruiting net in bolstering his roster with a good mix of collegiate transfers and high school prospects.
"We're really reaching out this season to bring in what we think we need to get back in the Mountain East Conference playoff race," Burkle said. "West Liberty baseball has a great tradition and we're committed to competing at the level that's expected by ourselves and our alumni."
The latest recruits hail from all corners of the map, reaching down into Florida, out to Montana and even crossing the border into Canada. The three college transfers and four high school seniors break down into three pitchers, three infielders and one outfielder.
Burkle is pleased with the talent coming into his program and can't wait to see the Black and Gold back in action on Kovalick Field.
"We're extremely excited about our incoming recruits as some of these guys have the ability to contribute immediately," Burkle said. "With everything going on in the world today, all of our guys are looking forward to getting back on the field. Getting the guys back on campus will be huge because that will mean we're one step closer to playing baseball."
Here are brief information capsules about the latest additions to the WLU baseball program:
2020-21 WLU BASEBALL SIGNINGS
Drew DeYarmon, OF, 6-0, 175, Fr., Orient, Ohio/Central Crossing HS
2-time All-Ohio Capital Conference and All-District outfielder at Central Crossing High School; 3-year letterman, quarterback and captain of CCHS football team; Student Council member and Special Olympics volunteer; Son of Scott and Veronica DeYarmon; Plans to major in Secondary Education
Dylan Dingel, RHP, 5-10, 190, So., Slippery Rock, Pa./Slippery Rock HS (Niagara County CC)
Transfer from Niagara County (N.Y.) CC; Played on NCCC's 2019 regional semifinal squad; 4-year letterman and WPIAL Class 4A All-District pitcher went 5-2 with 1.93 ERA while batting .354 as a senior at Slippery Rock HS; Son of Scott Dingel and Tiffany Bell; Has not declared an academic major
Carson Hurst, RHP, 6-1, 220, Fr., Jacksonville, Fla./Episcopal School
4-year baseball letterman earned All-City honors as a junior in 2019 at state-ranked Episcopal School of Jacksonville (Fla.); Had 1.91 ERA in two appearances when 2020 season was shut down; Also lettered three seasons in football; FCA member amassed nearly 200 hours of community service; Son of Mike Hurst and Dawn Tatarka; Will pursue a Marketing major at WLU
Sam Leach, IF, 6-0, 175, Fr., Marion, Ohio/Morral Ridgedale HS
2-time All-Conference baseball standout at Morral (Ohio) Ridgedale High School; Marion County Pitcher of the Year as a sophomore; Also starred in football and basketball; Son of Randal and Cherie Leach; Plans to pursue an Accounting major at West Liberty
Zach Mannies, IF, 6-3, 210, So., Carmel, Ind./Sheridan HS (Goshen)
Transfer from NAIA Goshen (Ind.) College; 4-year starter at Sheridan (Ind.) High School; Played on 2015 Hoosier Heartland Conference championship team; Led HHC in home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage and on-base percentage as a senior; Son of Gary and Stacy Mannies; Will major in Accounting
Kayne McGee, IF, 6-2, 240, So., Mississippi Mills, Ont./Almonte District (Ont.) HS (Dawson CC)
Transfer from Dawson CC in Glendive, Mont.; Hit .345 in 10 games this spring prior to COVID-19 shutdown; Played 2019 season at Erie (N.Y.) CC; Dean's List student; Mon-Dak Academic Scholar Award; Graduate of Almonte District High School; Son of Gary McGee and Nancy Jackson; Plans to major in Business Administration
Jonathan Rusin, RHP, 5-11, 170, Fr., North Royalton, Ohio/Padua Franciscan
Multi-year letterman for Padua Franciscan (Ohio) High School team that advanced to four consecutive District championship games; Son of John and Jenni Rusin; Plans to pursue an Accounting major at West Liberty
