KIRKSVILLE, Mo.—The Truman Baseball team has added five freshmen for the 2023 signing class: Nate Bartlett (Lee's Summit, Mo. / Summit Christian Academy), Isaac Epp (Wichita, Kan. / Maize South HS), Ty Rauser (St. Charles, Mo. / Francis Howell HS), Tyler Tieman (Belleville, Ill. / Althoff Catholic HS) and Alex Wittenauer (St. Louis, Mo. / Westminster Christian Academy).

Nate Bartlett | Lee's Summit, Mo. | Summit Christian Academy | 5-10 | 150 | R/R | RHP

High School: Pitched and played shortstop for SCA…had a 5-3 record with a 2.27 ERA and 62 strikeouts…was named First Team All-Conference and First team All-District in 2021, also threw a perfect game in District playoffs…was named Academic All-State in 2021…played club for KC Elite and was a volunteer with a Blue Springs summer lunch program

Dan Davis on Bartlett:  "Nate is a pitcher we saw late in the summer after hearing about him from coach Rod Myers with the KC Elite.  He impressed us due to the fact that he had one of his roughest outings of the summer.  He is a good command pitcher and it failed him that day.  He battled through it and gave his team a chance to win.  He's a tough guy on the mound and we look forward to him bringing that level of toughness to the Bulldogs!"

Personal: Son Tim and Amy Bartlett…plans to major in political science/philosophy

Isaac Epp | Wichita, Kan. | Maize South HS | 6-0 | 175 | R/L | LHP

High School: Threw 42 innings with a 1.66 ERA and complied a 7-1 record with 37 strikeouts…named First team AVCTL Division 1in 2021…named Second team All-Metro and All-State in 2021…Kansas Select member in 2021…played club for 316 Elite…Member of National Honor Society, Young Life Wichita and Friendship Club

Davis on Epp:  "We heard tremendous things about Isaac from several people during the summer.  After having him on campus, we knew he was a good fit with our team culture.  He's a good person, has great character, and works extremely hard.  Isaac is a pitcher with great command and we see becoming a potential weekend starter during his career.  Isaac's grandfather is former long-time Pittsburg State coach, Steve Bever and his brother plays at William Jewell College.  We look forward to seeing Isaac in a Bulldog uniform in the future!"

Personal: Son of Greg and Dawn Epp…plans to major in Accounting/Finance

Ty Rauser | St. Charles, Mo. | Francis Howell HS | 6-3 | 170 | R/R | RHP

High School: Pitched for FHHS and played club for Adidas Athletics…was a member of National Honor Society, DECA, Gold Helmet Award in 2021, Gold Star Student Award in 2021…volunteered with Goodfellows of Canton

Davis on Rauser:  "We saw Ty pitch several times this summer.  Each time we saw him, we liked him more and more.  He's tall, has long levers, commands his pitches well and has the potential to throw hard in the future.  We've heard only good things about Ty as a worker and teammate.  We think Ty can become a weekend starter for us early in his career.  We can't wait to get Ty on campus and see him compete in a Bulldog uniform!"

Personal: Son of Chris and Jennifer Rauser…plans to major in business

Tyler Tieman | Belleville, Ill. | Althoff Catholic HS | 5-11 | 215 | R/L | 1B/OF

High School: Played varsity baseball, football, soccer and basketball for four years…was named All-Conference pitcher in 2020 and All-Conference and All-Sectional at first base in 2019 and 2020…also earned All-Conference at kicker and goalkeeper…on the diamond he had a .431 average with four homers…nine doubles and 22 RBI…played club for Midwest Futures…volunteered with Keep America Beautiful and St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen, and more

Davis on Tieman:  "Tyler comes highly recommended from his club team coach.  We watched him several times this summer and he impressed us with his ability to hit and hit with power.  Tyler is extremely athletic as well, he's a 4-year varsity athlete in baseball, football, soccer, and basketball.  Tyler works and plays hard and we see him fitting right in with our program and will help us compete for a GLVC title in the future!"

Personal: Son of Scott and Tara Tieman…plans to major in business

Alex Wittenauer | St. Louis, Mo. | Westminster Christian Academy | 6-1 | 185 | R/R | C

High School: Played on varsity in baseball, football, soccer and basketball for four years, also a four year member on the swim team…was named captain of the swim team his senior season and qualified for state in 2021…on the diamond he hit .365 with 1 homer, nine doubles and eight RBI…played club for STL Prospects…was a four year member of National Honor Society, three years on the Honor Roll and one year on the President's List

Davis on Wittenauer:  "We heard about Alex from his club coach, Frank Oliff.  Everything we heard about him was great things.  When we saw him play, we knew he'd be a guy for us!  He commands the defense behind the plate, has a strong arm, and he can really hit.  Alex's father, Chris, is also a Truman alumni.  We think Alex has a chance to become another great catcher in the Bulldog baseball program and we can't wait to get him in the uniform!"

Personal: Son of Chris and Audrey Wittenauer…plans to major in accounting