The word is out.
An outstanding reputation has transformed the Western Nevada College baseball program into a magnet for developing players.
With the great academic and on-field success players have enjoyed while on the Wildcats roster and after leaving the program, recruiting has become a pleasure for 10th-year coach D.J. Whittemore.
Sixteen high school players signed letters of intent with the program in mid-January as part of the team’s 2016 recruiting class.
“I can’t remember ever having this many in a recruiting class this early in the process,” Whittemore said. “The players who have come through the program in the last decade have done such an amazing job putting WNC on the map as a destination for serious baseball players that recruiting just gets easier every year.”
More than half of the Wildcats’ early recruiting class has ties to current or previous players in the program.
WNC players continue to have success on and off the field. In eight of its nine seasons, the Wildcats have qualified as a National Junior College Athletic Association All-Academic Team. The Wildcats have made three NJCAA World Series appearances and collected three Western District titles, four Region 18 championships and three Scenic West Athletic Conference titles. Moreover, 22 players have signed pro contracts and 101 alums have continued their baseball careers at four-year colleges or are in professional baseball.
“As a staff we are indebted to all the previous Wildcats and Wildcat teams that have made our program very special on so many levels,” Whittemore said. “The scholarships they have earned, the championships they have won, the friendships they have built, the signing bonuses they have signed, just the legacy they have left is awe-inspiring.”
The early signing class hails from seven states.
“This class will look to continue and even build upon the successes of previous teams and I am certain has the makeup and talent to do just that,” Whittemore said. “We are getting players out of not just good but great high school programs, where the players learn the skills and attitudes necessary to be successful in the highly competitive Scenic West Conference.”
Here’s a closer look at the signees:
Casey Cornwell, SS/RHP, Beaverton High School, Beaverton, Ore: Cornwell was the Metro Conference player of the year and led his team to the conference championship as a junior.
Leif Strom, RHP, Puyallup High School in Puyallup, Wash.: Puyallup High School finished the most difficult feat in sports last year, going undefeated in an entire baseball season en route to AAAA Washington state championship.
Chad Bell, 3B, Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins Colo.: Rocky Mountain has won five of the past eight Colorado large-school state championships in baseball, including last season.
Chandler Barkdull, Park City High School, Park City, Utah: From the same high school as current Wildcat 2B/C Blake Morin.
Riley Hennings, CF, Skyline High School, Salt Lake City, Utah: Hennings is from the same high school as current Wildcat LHP Bridger Nielson.
“Riley is the fastest player in our recruiting class,” Whittemore said.
Donte Glover, LHP, Coronado High School, Henderson, Nev.: Donte is the younger brother of former Wildcat Donald Glover, who starred for the Wildcats from 2011-13 and now is a senior at Dixie State University.
“Donte is a great athlete just like his brother,” Whittemore said.
Bronson Ichimura, LHP, Iolani High School, Honolulu, Hawaii: Ichimura is the first player the Wildcats have recruited from Hawaii.
“Bronson is an out-getting, strike-throwing machine.,” Whittemore said.
Owen Breithaupt, CF, Puyallup High School, Puyallup, Wash.: Breithaupt is a teammate of Wildcat recruit Leif Strom.
“Owen is a tremendous competitor and a natural leader,” Whittemore said.
Jordan Ragan, LHP, North Medford High School, Medford, Ore.: “Jordan is a big left-hander with a great arm and a clean delivery.” Whittemore said. “He was terrific last season in helping the Black Tornado to the Oregon 6A state title,” Whittemore said. “We have had almost 10 players out of the Medford area and many of them have gone on to not only star at WNC but in D1 baseball and even the professional ranks.
Colton Westfall, RHP, North Medford High School, Medford, Ore.:
“Colton is the most highly decorated pitcher in the state of Oregon. He is a rare four-year starter on one of the premier high school teams in the state, playing in one of the top conferences,” Whittemore said. “He has the ability to strike batters out but also induce groundballs with his sinker and both secondary offerings. His experience will give him a great chance to compete for a spot in the rotation his freshman year.”
Jake Lambro, RHP, Tahoma High School, Maple Valley, Wash.:
“Tahoma High School is one of the top programs in all of Washington and routinely populates college baseball with its alumni,” Whittemore said. “Jake is big power arm pitcher who also keeps the ball down and has a terrific changeup to go with his upper-80s fastball.” Attends the same high school as legendary Wildcat Taylor Smart, who went on to star at the University of Tennessee before signing with the Seattle Mariners.
Jake Tallman, 2B, Billings, Mont.: Tallman plays for the Scarlet Knights, the top American Legion program in the state of Montana (no high school baseball in Montana).
“Jake has great feel for his barrel and good pop for a middle infielder,” Whittemore said.
Daniel Nist, 3B, Tahoma High School, Maple Valley, Wash.:
“Daniel is a power-hitting corner infielder in the mold of former Wildcat Eric Maupin,” Whittemore said.
Nick Rush, 2B, Liberty High School, Las Vegas: Rush was a star on last season’s Nevada State 4A championship team coached by Nick Didier.
Marco Calderon, INF, Kennedy Catholic High School, Burien, Wash.: “Marco is a physically strong hitter with good line drive power and hands and arm to play all three infield spots for the Wildcats in 2016,” said Whittemore.
Abe Yagi, INF, Skyline High School, Salt Lake City, Utah: Teammate of Wildcat commit Riley Hennings.
“He comes from a baseball family and has the swing to be the best of the bunch,” Whittemore said. “He has power and the ability to hit for average.”
He is one of the most advanced high school hitters in the entire state of Utah. He has the demeanor and competitiveness to not only start as a freshman but to be one of the team’s leading performers as well.”
