By: Nathanial Barbee, USI Athletic Communications
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball has signed six future Screaming Eagles on National Signing Day for the freshman class of 2027.
"I can't say enough good things about the job our coaching staff has done to put together this signing class, led by recruiting coordinator
Brandon Krennrich," says USI Baseball Head Coach
Chris Ramirez. "In the early signing period, we are looking for two types of players: players that fit an immediate roster need and high-impact players. We feel like this early group does both."
Ramirez and company signed five pitchers, four being left-handed, and one catcher. Among the signees, the staff brought in three Junior College transfers and three high schoolers, two coming from area programs.
"The JUCO route has been a sweet spot for us and, once again, we have landed players from nationally-ranked programs in the Midwest and the state of Texas," continues Ramirez. "The other half of this class comes from the high school ranks, including two from right here in Evansville."
Evan Martinez | Left-Handed Pitcher | 6'3" | 210 lbs | Horizon City, Texas
- Transfer from El Paso Community College
- Threw 21 innings with 26 strikeouts
Coach Krennrich on Evan: "Evan is a big, strong left-handed arm that throws from a three-fourths slot and has been up to 92 miles per hour. He pitched a lot as a freshman and showed an ability to get a lot of swing and misses. He was a football player in high school and brings that attitude to the mound."
Sean Sanderson | Left-Handed Pitcher | 6'0" | 210 lbs | Mundelein, Ill.
- Transfer from Southeastern Community College
- Made 20 appearances, pitched 24 innings, and struck out 32
- Posted a 4.13 ERA
Coach Krennrich on Sean: "Sean comes from a winning program and knows what it takes to be successful. He pitched a lot of big innings out of the bullpen. Sean is a big addition, adding another strong left-handed arm to our pitching staff."
Cody Freitas | Right-Handed Pitcher | 5'11" | 190 lbs | Bourbonnais, Ill.
- Transfer from John A. Logan College
- Threw 22 innings as a freshman, striking out 22
- Pitched in Area Code Games in high school
Coach Krennrich on Cody: "Cody really competes on the mound and is always in attack mode. He throws from a three-fourths slot and gives us a different look on the mound. Cody comes from a winning program and pitched in a lot of big games as a freshman. He sits in the low 90s already, with more to room to grow."
Carson Conley | Catcher | 6'0" | 200 lbs | Evansville, Ind.
- Product of Evansville North High School
- Had nine extra-base hits as a junior
Coach Krennrich on Carson: "Carson is a local kid, who is strong and can handle a pitching staff. He has shown the ability to drive the baseball, has strong hands behind the plate, and adds a good arm to shut down the running game. He is a natural leader, is one of the stars of the football team."
Ben Schroeder | Left-Handed Pitcher | 6'0" | 215 lbs | Wauwatosa, Wis.
- Product of Marquette University High School
- Threw 38 innings, while striking out 38
Coach Krennrich on Ben: "Ben is another left hander that is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. He has a three-pitch mix that he can go to at any time. He has a bulldog mentality on the mound and is not afraid of any moment. Ben is a high school quarterback, and we are excited to see him grow once he fully concentrates on baseball."
Cayden McGrew | Left-Handed Pitcher | 6'0" | 185 lbs | Evansville, Ind.
- Product of F.J. Reitz High School
Coach Krennrich on Cayden: "Cayden is another local guy we are excited to get in the red and blue. He missed his junior year due to injury but is back healthy now. He is an athletic left hander that pitches in the upper 80s. We are excited to get him into the program and get him with our strength coach and watch him develop."
For more information about USI Athletics, visit our website at usiscreamingeagles.com or social media at USI Athletics.
