Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Baseball Signs 12 Student-Athletes
11/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MOUNT PLEASANT – The Central Michigan University baseball program has announced the signing of 12 student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent.
The group includes six pitchers, as well as two other individuals who can pitch and play other positions in the field.
“We’re really pleased with this group and think they mix well with our current guys,” said head coach Steve Jaksa. “Of the six true pitchers, we signed three left-handers and three right-handers and they’re all quality pitchers. We also focused on bringing in some good athletes who could play in the field or have the ability to pitch, so we developed some balance there. And, we thought it was important to bring in some guys who can run and hit for power, and we found some players that fit that bill.”
CMU was 35-23 overall and won the MAC West Division title in 2006. The Chippewas open the 2007 season with a three-game series at Alabama-Birmingham Feb. 16-18.
CMU Baseball Signing List
Trevor Borsak - RHP - 6-4 - 180 - Sterling Heights, Mich./Henry Ford HS
Fastball clocked in the upper 80s and capable of touching 90 mph with late sinking action ... good rotation on breaking ball ... potential to be a dominating right-hander.
Andre Benjamin - LHP - 6-3 - 225 - Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Rapids CC
Posted 7-1 record with 1.20 ERA in 55-2/3 innings at Grand Rapids CC in 2006 ... ace of a staff that led GRCC to runner-up finish at Junior College World Series ... competitor on the mound.
Matt Faiman - OF/1B/LHP - 6-2 - 180 - West Branch, Mich./Ogemaw Heights HS
Two-sport athlete who plays quarterback on the football team ... first team all-state and all-conference selection as a junior after hitting .480 with 60 hits, 49 runs, eight home runs, 64 runs batted in and 39 stolen bases ... named to Bay City Times Dream Team.
Harvey Martin - SS/RHP - 6-1 - 170 - Farmington, Mich./Farmington HS
Potential to see time both in the infield and on the mound ... three-year letterman in both baseball and basketball ... earned all-area, all-conference and all-region honors as a shortstop.
Evan Morris - RHP - 6-1 - 165 - West Bloomfield, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary’s HS
All-district and all-region selection as a junior ... posted 1.40 ERA in 69 innings with four shutouts ... fastball clocked at 88 mph from a 3⁄4 arm angle ... breaking ball and change-up continue to develop.
Mike Nixon - LHP - 5-11 - 160 - Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Catholic Central
All-city, all-district and all-area selection ... ability to throw multiple pitches for strikes ... boasts a 13-4 career record with 1.42 ERA ... recorded 159 strikeouts against just 30 walks in 113 career innings.
Scott Phillion - OF - 6-2 - 190 - Rochester, Mich./Stoney Creek HS
Combines power at the plate with speed on the bases ... holds or shares single-season school records for games played, at-bats, hits, runs, home runs, runs batted in, total bases, times on base and plate appearances ... Oakland Activities Association Scholar-Athlete ... son of CMU letterman and former professional player Jay Phillion (1981-84).
Sam Russell - OF - 6-3 - 180 - Grandville, Mich./Grandville HS
Athletic outfielder who is also a standout football player ... played for Diamonds Baseball Club during the summer ... hit .361 with 14 doubles, five triples, five home runs and 27 stolen bases.
Steve Teno - LHP - 6-0 - 165 - LaSalle, Ont./Olney Central CC
Capable of throwing any of three pitches in any situation ... 8-2 overall with two saves and 1.97 ERA in 2006 ... struck out 72, while walking 11, in 70 innings ... drafted by Kansas City Royals in 40th round in 2005.
Nate Theunissen - 1B - 6-1 - 170 - Mount Pleasant, Mich./Mount Pleasant HS
Spreads the ball to all fields at the plate ... batted .429 and led Central Michigan All-Stars in runs batted in during the summer ... hit .352 as a junior at Mount Pleasant High School ... prep coach is former CMU letterman Luke Epple (1980-83) ... grandson of former CMU baseball coach and athletics director Bill Theunissen.
Andrew Thomas - OF/IF - 6-2 - 175 - Mount Pleasant, Mich./Mount Pleasant HS
Can play multiple positions in the field ... among the fastest prep players in the state ... hit .410 to help Mount Pleasant High School to Saginaw Valley Conference title ... batted team-high .467 for Central Michigan All-Stars ... led MPHS in lowest strike out percentage and average with runners in scoring position, was second in hits, average and total bases and third in runs and slugging.
Andy Westerburg - RHP - 6-2 - 185 - Spring Lake, Mich./Spring Lake HS
Earned first team all-conference, all-district and all-area honors as a junior ... fastball in upper 80s and breaking ball continues to develop ... two-year captain and leading scorer on hockey team ... prep coach is former CMU letterman Eric Kipling (1996-99).
