USA – Fourteen freshmen comprise Air Force baseball’s rookie class of 2009, announced today by head coach Mike Hutcheon. The class of 2012 features four all-state selections and three players that played their high school ball in Colorado. The 14 freshmen comprise the second-biggest recruiting class in Hutcheon’s sixth year at the helm for the Falcons. Fifteen freshmen made up the 2011 class.

“The class of 2012 have met all of our expectations on and off the field,” Hutcheon said. “Not only do we feel confident in their abilities as athletes, but the staff is thoroughly impressed with their progress as cadets in the everyday academy life. This is a talented group of young men that will continue to grow and contribute in many different ways as this program evolves.”

Right-hander Evan Abrecht (Farmington, Ark.), infielder Jon Escamilla (San Antonio, Texas), catcher Kyle Henke (Farmington, N.M.) and right-hander Mike Kazakoff (Omaha, Neb. – played at Heritage HS in Littleton, Colo.) were all-state selections. Henke was a three-time all-state selection while Escamilla was all-state in both baseball and football.

The class features two multi-sport athleties in Escamilla and lefter-hander Andrew Golz. Escamilla is currently a wide receiver on the Air Force football team and Golz is a forward on the Air Force men’s soccer team.

Another player with solid credentials is catcher/outfielder Jack Lupo (Indianapolis, Ind.), who was the Indianapolis Star Player of the Year. In addition to Kazakoff, right-hander Shayne Hulce (Fountain) and infielder Blair Roberts (Parker) played prep baseball in
Colorado.

Infielder Jake Byorth (Dublin, Ohio), lefter-hander Michael Ceci (Marietta, Ga.), infielder Adam Hill (Charlotte, N.C.), outfielder Blair Kessler (Boerne, Texas), Aaron Kurcz (Las Vegas, Nev.) and left-hander Andrew Loyd (Smith,?Ark.) round out the class of 2012.

2009 Air Force Baseball Recruits
Evan Abrecht – RHP – 6-4, 190 – Farmington, Ark./Farmington HS
Jake Byorth – IF – 6-0, 180 – Dublin, Ohio/St. Charles Prep
Michael Ceci – LHP – 6-4, 195 – Marietta, Ga./Harrison HS
Jon Escamilla – IF – 6-0, 185 – San Antonio, Texas/John Marshall HS
Andrew Golz – LHP – 6-1, 205 – River Foerst, Ill. (Oak Park HS)
Kyle Henke – C – 6-0, 190 – Farmington, N.M. (Piedra Vista HS)
Adam Hill – IF – 5-10, 170 – Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Christian School)
Shayne Hulce – RHP – 6-1, 165 – Fountain, Colo. (Fountain-Fort Carson)
Mike Kazakoff – RHP- 6-0, 175 – Omaha, Neb. (Heritage HS – Littleton, Colo.)
Blair Kessler – OF – 6-0, 185 – Boerne, Texas (Boerne HS)
Aaron Kurcz – RHP/OF – 5-11, 155 – Las Vegas, Nev. (Durango HS)
Andrew Loyd – LHP – 6-1, 175 – Smith, Ark. (Van Buren HS)
Jack Lupo – C/OF – 6-1, 170 – Indianapolis, Ind.(Cathedral HS)
Blair Roberts – IF – 5-10, 175 – Parker, Colo. (Chaparral)

Courtesy: Air Force Athletics

Tags: USA