Baseball 1/7/2020 2:17:00 PM

Baseball Announces 2021 Signing Class

KIRKSVILLE, Mo.—The Truman Baseball team has signed ten players that will be part of the 2021 team. Coach Dan Davis lauds the class saying, "I'd like to thank coach Herschelman for his efforts in putting this recruiting class together. He has a keen eye for finding guys that not only produce on the diamond but with coalesce well with one another and with the returners on the team in all aspects: including work ethic and character in and out of the facility. We feel like we've added guys that will bring noticeable offensive production but also focus on some of the more intangible aspects and bring defensive skill that doesn't always show up in the stat sheet. The new pitchers that we have brought in are versatile team-first guys who have great stuff and have unbridled passion for the game!"

Michael Daggett | 6-0 | Paola, Kan. | Paola High School | Club: BTL Hornets | RHP | R/R

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High School: Named first team all-conference, first team all-area and honorable mention all-state. Was a participant in the Team USA trials in 2018. Batted .321 with 18 hits, 12 runs scored, 12 RBI and three stolen bases as he filled in for an injured catcher as a junior.

Davis: "Michael is a pitcher we've tracked for a couple of years. He's been to our camps and showed impressive stuff! Michael is a pitcher who we see coming in and challenging for innings as a freshman. He's competed against some of the very best teams in the country and had success. We love his make-up and look forward to working with him in the future!"

Personal: Son of Jeff and Barbara Daggett…plans to major in engineering

High School: Ranked the #5 shortstop and #21 player overall in Kansas coming out of high school, named an Academic Letterman, to the Principal's Honor Roll and helped with Special Education classes and helped plan school events. Hit .357 with eight doubles and one home run in the summer of 2019.

Davis: "Kolin has consistently come to our camps and has shown great improvement over the years. We love the passion with which Kolin plays the game. His work ethic and energy as a teammate make him the perfect fit for our program. He has the chance to compete as a middle infielder as a true freshman. We can't wait to get Kolin in a Bulldog uniform and go to work!"

Personal: Son of Kelly and Kim Demel…plans to major in exercise science/pre-med

High School: Member of National Honor Society, named all-tournament team for the Perfect Game Super 25 National Championship and all-tournament team for BCS National Championship, active volunteer in the community—including speaker for drug free schools

Davis: "We saw Nic early in the summer at a tournament. He showed that he can command the defense behind the plate with fantastic leadership qualities we want in a catcher. He was our favorite catch and throw guy from the 2020 class. He's a tough kid with a great work ethic and we feel he has the chance to compete behind the plate on day one! We can't be more excited to watch Nic work with our pitching staff as a Bulldog next year!"

Personal: Son of Kevin and Jeannie Hemken…plans to major in computer science

High School: Member of the A+ program, four year member of the A honor roll, was a three sport athlete competing in baseball, basketball and soccer, two year soccer team captain—named to all-region and all-district teams, baseball and basketball team MVP, state runner up in baseball

Davis: "We saw Trey early in the summer at a high school showcase. He showed very well that day so we went to see him play as soon as we could. His baseball IQ is very high, he plays great defense, is a good line drive hitter who can really run. He fits in with the type of person and player we love to have in the program. He's a tough kid with a great work ethic! We can't be more excited to watch Trey roam the outfield in a Bulldog uniform!"

Personal: Son of Keith and Shelly Herzing…plans to major in athletic training

Andrew Hnilo | 5-11 | St. Louis, Mo. | Lindbergh High School | Club: St. Louis Recruits | RHP | R/R

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High School: As a junior he pitched 14.3 innings with a 1-1 record, 4.40 ERA with 16 strikeouts

Davis: "Drew is a pitcher we saw midway through the summer. We knew we wanted him to be a part of our staff in the future. He's a fierce competitor with an aggressive work ethic. We see Drew being one of the future anchors of our pitching staff and can't wait to get him on campus and start working!"

Personal: Son of James and Jennifer Hnilo…plans to major in computer science

Jordan Marlott | 6-5 | Las Vegas, Nev. | Shadow Ridge High School | Club: Team Adidas Las Vegas | LHP | L/L

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High School: Three year academic-athletic honoree, played in Baseball Factory All-America Preseason Tournament, in the fall of 2019 threw 50 innings with a 1.26 ERA and 82 strikeouts

Davis: "Jordan is a big tall left-handed pitcher who came to our winter camp in 2019. He immediately impressed us on the mound! He's a big man with a ton of potential. Everything we've heard about Jordan is great, he is a fierce competitor, has a great work ethic, and is a fantastic teammate. We look forward to watching him compete in Bulldog purple!"

Personal: Son of Andy and Sarah Marlott…plans to major in athletic training/sports medicine

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High School: Four year honor roll student, member of 4H and treasurer of FFA, named to Southern Illinois Class 3A second team all-area, named first team all-conference as a 1B and second team as a RHP, batted .456 in 90 at bats, racked up 41 hits with 33 runs scored, three home runs, seven doubles and 24 RBIs, complied an 8-2 record as a starter over 53 innings with a 2.25 ERA and 51 strikeouts

Davis: "Jack is a guy we saw early last summer and loved his ability to pitch and hit. He has a real chance to do both for us as a freshman. On the mound, Jack is a strike thrower who competes extremely well and always gives his team a chance to win. At the plate, Jack has the potential to have impressive power. He has a great approach and we think he's got the potential to be a middle of the order bat in the future. We're looking forward to working with Jack as a Bulldog!"

Personal: Son of Dave and Renee Owens…plans to major in agriculture

High School: Named to the honor roll, served his community by collecting new and gently used baseball equipment to be donated to those in need in the US, Caribbean and South America, member of the school drum line, district champion in baseball in 2019

Davis: "Brennan attended our Fall Prospect Camp in September and caught our eye. He is a strong, physical outfielder who could turn into a middle of the order bat. He's got a good arm and has the potential to pitch for us as well. We are looking forward to working with Brennan in the future!"

Personal: Son of Chris and Misti Perkins…undecided on major

JJ Swafford | 6-2 | Troy, Mo. | Troy Buchanan High School | Club: Midwest Rebels | RHP | R/R

High School: Three year all-conference all-academic team member, three year scholar athlete, compiled a 4-1 record over 32 innings pitched with 34 strikeouts as a junior

Davis: "JJ is someone we saw at a summer showcase and were impressed with him. After a visit and workout with our team this fall, we knew he'd fit in with our program. He's a long and loose pitcher who has the potential to really increase his velocity and throws a mean breaking ball. We can't wait to watch JJ develop as a pitcher as a Bulldog!"

Personal: Son of Jeffery and Rachael Swafford…personal computer science

High School: Member of National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, Student Congress, Junior Optimist International Club and FCA, Heisman Scholarship award recipient, named to first team all-district in 2018 and second team in 2019, as a junior batted .406 with 41 hits, ten doubles, three triples and one home run with 38 RBIs

Davis: "Luke is a guy we heard about from some coaches in Iowa. He came to our Fall Prospect Camp and showed his athleticism and a high baseball IQ. He's strong, athletic, and can run. We see him developing into a really good infielder who could potentially play SS, 3B, or 2B in the future. He competes at a high level and is a proven winner. We are thrilled Luke is going to be a Bulldog for the next four years!"

Personal: Son of Eric and Jennifer Turner…plans on majoring in finance/business

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