USA – On the heels of their first NCAA Regional Tournament appearance, Dallas Baptist Head Coach Dan Heefner is pleased to announce the Patriot Baseball Team has signed six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent this week.

“We are very excited about these six players. They are very talented and should step in and contribute immediately. We think the potential, work ethic, and character is there for these guys to continue to develop so they will not just be contributors but impact-type players,” said Heefner. He added, “Coach Frieling and Wyckoff did an outstanding job of identifying players who have faith, character and talent – the foundation of our program.”

Heefner, named 2008 ABCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year, saw the Patriots finish last season with the 29th best RPI in the nation and a 37-19 record. This earned them their first ever postseason berth and a #2 seed at the College Station Regional. The Patriots will open their 2009 season at home on February 20 against Binghamton University. This will be the first of 37 home games slated for the team this year.

Austin Elkins
A switch-hitting middle infielder, plays for Coach Don English and the Coppell High School Cowboys. As a sophomore, Elkins was named 2nd Team All-District in 6-5A, one of the toughest baseball districts in the state. During his junior campaign, Elkins was voted Offensive MVP for the district after batting .459 and belting 8 homeruns (second highest total in Metroplex 5A baseball). Elkins was also named 2nd Team All-State for 5A baseball.

Jake Johansen
A right-handed pitcher for Paul Pool and the Allen High School Eagles. In 2008, the Eagles finished the year as Regional Quarterfinalist with Johansen compiling a 3-4 record, a 3.34 ERA and 46 strikeouts, tops on the Eagle staff. Johansen was selected throughout the year for many honors, including a chance to play in the Texas Scout Association game and the Seattle Mariners Cup Championship Series in Seattle, Washington.

Duncan McAlpine
Catches and pitches for the 2008 District 6-4A Champion Birdville High School Hawks, coached by David Hatcher. McAlpine was Newcomer of the Year in the district his sophomore year and was named Pitcher of the Year his junior year after posting a 13-3 record and a miniscule 0.70 ERA. This also led to an All-State selection for McAlpine. In addition to his pitching ability, McAlpine also hit .370 with 9 homeruns – the most in Metroplex 4A baseball.

Stuart Pudenz
Will join the Patriots as a right-handed pitcher out of Blue Springs South High School in Blue Springs, Missouri where he plays for Head Coach Ben Baier. Pudenz was named Honorable Mention All-Conference his junior year after compiling a 4-0 record and a 1.52 ERA. Pudenz helped lead the Jaguars to both a district championship and a conference championship in 2008 and, in addition to his work with South High School, Pudenz’ summer team, The KC Barnstormers, won the 18U NBC World Series this past season.

Tyler Robbins
A middle infielder from Des Moines Area Community College in Boone, Iowa, where he is coached by Dan Fitzgerald. Robbins – originally from Bettendorf, IA – was named ICCAC Player of the Year and NJCAA 1st Team All-American in 2008 after hitting .394 with 20 homeruns and 18 stolen bases. Robbins re-wrote the record book for the Bears last season as his 20 homeruns, 24 doubles, 89 runs scored, and 97 hits were all single-season team records.

Brandon Williamson
A right-handed pitcher, plays for David Coleman at Midland Junior College in Midland, Texas. In 2008, Williamson’s ERA was just a half-run away from the best mark on the Midland team and his 36 innings pitched placed him third on the staff. Williamson’s efforts as a freshman were rewarded with an invitation to the Texas/New Mexico Junior College All-Star Game where he pitched two scoreless innings against the best competition at the junior college level.

Courtesy: Dallas Baptist University Athletics

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