Baseball | November 25, 2014

PHILADELPHIA – La Salle head baseball coach Mike Lake has announced the signing of 10 standout players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period for the 2015-16 academic year.

"I believe that our 2015 incoming freshman class is our deepest and most talented recruiting class since I have been a part of the program," said Lake. "We added depth to the mound, speed to the base paths and power to the plate, and I couldn't be more excited about the direction our program is going. We have recruited tremendous players, but even more importantly, tremendous people."

Ben Faso -1B/OF
Garnett Valley High School
Hometown: Media, Pa.
 
Ben Faso enjoyed a tremendous season for the Garnett Valley Jaguars in 2014, setting the school record with 30 RBI in 62 at-bats and adding a pair of homers and nine doubles. Faso was in the top 10 in Delaware County in batting average (.452) and extra base hits (11), while starting in the outfield for the Central League champions.
 
Coach Lake: "Ben will compete for playing time in the outfield and at first base in year one. We feel fortunate to have Ben select La Salle over other schools as he is extremely coachable and athletic."
 
Connor Hinchliffe -Catcher
Pottstown Area High School
Hometown: Pottsville, Pa.
                                                
Connor Hinchliffe has earned a varsity letter in baseball every season at Pottstown Area High School, and was a member of the 2014 Schuylkill League Championship team. During the summer and fall, Hinchliffe plays for the Grandslam Bluerocks, the No. 27 ranked 18U team in the country and top-ranked team in the Northeast. This past summer during the WWBA Perfect Game National Championship, the Pottsville, Pa. native was selected to the all-tournament team after hitting .385 and slugging.768. He also has two letters in basketball. Connor has a 3.81 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. 
 
Coach Lake: "Connor's athletic ability behind the plate will allow him to compete to get on the field right away both at catcher and in the outfield. We are very impressed with Connor being a true student athlete.
 
Jared Melone – INF/OF
North Penn High School
North Wales, Pa.

Melone was selected to the Pennsylvania High School Baseball Coaches Association All-State Team and was named the Montgomery County Intelligencer Player of the Year in 2014. Melone also earned Suburban One All Conference First Team recognition and represented the Continental Conference in the Carpenter Cup in 2014. At North Penn, Melone was selected as the Student Athlete of the Year for 2014 for the junior class. This past summer Melone was selected to play in the Big 26 Tournament for Team Pennsylvania. The North Wales, Pa. native played for TriState Arsenal in Perfect Game World Championship and made the All-Tournament Team in 2012, 2013, and 2014. As a junior, Melone hit .500 with 33 Hits, 23 RBIs 10 Extra Base Hits, and six homers. As a sophomore under Coach Kevin Manero (La Salle Graduate and Baseball Player), Melone hit over .400 to help North Penn win the State PIAA AAAA Baseball championship. As a freshman, Melone won the North Penn D.J. Farrar award as the top student athlete. Melone will also play varsity basketball for North Penn this winter and is a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.7 GPA.

Coach Lake: "We are very fortunate to have Jared join our program over the other Universities that had offered him a scholarship. With Jared's ability to hit the ball, we feel that he will compete for playing time at both infield corners and the outfield. We are very impressed with Jared's continued dedication in the classroom, making him another true student athlete."

Michael Anthony – RHP
Phoenixville Area High School
Phoenixville, Pa.
 
Michael Anthony is listed as the 45^th ranked player in the state by Prep baseball report and a National High Follow by Perfect Game. Anthony played for Mike Manning at All Star Baseball Academy during the summer and was named MVP of the regional tournament at Diamond Nation.

Coach Lake: "Michael's athletic ability on the mound presents tremendous upside and we fully expect him to compete for innings in his first year"

Kevin McGowan –INF/OF
The Haverford School
Haverford, Pa.

Kevin McGowan has been a three-year starter for Coach Bob Castell at the Haverford School. With starts at three infield spots, McGowan has piled up personal accolades on his way to 101 career hits, nine home runs and 89 RBI prior to his senior year. In 2014, McGowan led all of Delaware County in home runs and extra base hits. The Haverford, Pa. native plays his summer baseball for Mike Manning at All Star Baseball Academy, participating in both the WWBA championships as an under and upper classman. McGowan garnered All-Tournament accolades at both level. 

Coach Lake: "Kevin is a rock solid left-handed hitter and we feel very fortunate that he chose La Salle over other Division 1 programs. His high school success speaks for itself, and we fully expect him to contribute in both the infield and outfield next season."
 
Drew Jarmuz OF
Unionville High School
Kennett Square, Pa.

Drew Jarmuz has been a varsity starter during the past two seasons at Unionville, hitting .411 as a sophomore and .375 as a sophomore. The Kennett Square, Pa. native has received first team All-Conference and All-Area Honorable Mention honors in both seasons.  Jarmuz earned Offensive Player of the Year as a junior after leading the Indians to their first district win in 10 years, and was named a Perfect game All-American Honorable Mention in 2013. Jarmuz had successful seasons playing under Creighton Gubanich for All Star Baseball Academy and Todd Duerr of the Kennett Kings in his sophomore and junior summers. Drew was instrumental in the King's run to championship of the Senior League World Series.

Coach Lake: "We feel as though Drew is a very gifted athlete, and the combination of all his athletic skills will put him in a position to compete to play right away as a freshman."
 
CJ Pruitt- RHP
Sun Valley High School
Aston, Pa.
Pruitt made seven appearances and threw 38.2 total innings in 2014, posting a 3.26 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. Playing shortstop when not pitching, Pruitt drove in 17 runs to lead the team in RBI in 21 games.  The Aston, Pa. native was named to the First Team All Ches-Mont American division, and was a member of the Delaware County Carpenter Cup Team. Pruitt played his summer baseball for Chris Madonna and the Maple Zone Muck Dawgs.

"CJ is a very athletic pitcher that as presently constructed will compete for immediate playing time as a freshman. CJ is incredibly competitive and will only continue to get better as he grows into his frame. We expect him to be a big part of this program for years to come."
 
Brian Tagoe – OF
St. John's College High School
Burtonsville, Md.

Brian Tagoe hit .288 with 16 runs scored and 15 stolen bases in 32 games for the 2014 WCAC champion Cadets. Tagoe brings a wealth of national level experience, having played his summer ball for the DC Cadets.

"Brian is a great athlete who figures to fill an immediate void in our outfield for the 2016 season. His ability to hit from both sides of the plate and run the bases with great speed will give us many opportunities to use him as a freshman. He figures to be a great part of this program for years to come."

Brett Simon- Catcher
St. John's College High School
Laurel, Md.

As a starter for the WCAC champion Cadets, Simon threw out 7 of 17 potential base runners and posted a fielding percentage of .988. The Laurel, Md. Native also posted over 100 wins in his high school wrestling career.

"Brett has athletic skills behind the plate that would be extraordinary at any level of college baseball. We are very fortunate that he chose our program over others in our conference, and he will absolutely compete for playing time in his first year."

Ryan Wanner- RHP
St. John's College High School
Harwood, Md.

After missing 2014 for medical reasons, Ryan Wanner projects to pitch at the front end of St. John's rotation this spring. The Cadets consistently rank in the top 100 nationally, and produce multiple Division 1 signees ever y year.

"We expect Ryan to come into our program and compete for innings immediately. Ryan has an advanced approach and command of four pitches, something that translates to this level extremely well and will allow him the opportunity for success."