SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Coming off the greatest season in program history, the Bryant University baseball team has signed six players for the Class of 2018, fourth-year head coach Steve Owens announced on Friday. Owens's class includes four pitchers, a catcher and an outfielder.
"On the heels of losing over 260 innings this past season, and potentially the same this year, our primary recruiting focus was to secure front-line arms, while also addressing our specific positional needs and I think we did that," Owens said. "I am proud and excited that each of these six men has chosen our school and program, and I am confident their addition will be a major factor to our future success. Most importantly, they share our programs desire to win, to compete in the postseason and to develop as professional players."
James Karinchak – RHP | Walden, N.Y. | Valley Central | 6-2 | 185
A three-year varsity letterwinner at Valley Central, Karinchak will be completing his final year this spring … Put together an outstanding junior season at the plate and on the mound … Hit .376 with two home runs … Posted a perfect 7-0 record with a 0.71 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 49.2 innings on the mound … Earned travel team MVP honors in 2012 and participated in nationally televised Triple Crown Game in Richmond, Va. … Earned All-New York State honors as a sophomore and junior.
Coach Owens on Karinchak: "A tall, projectable right-handed pitcher with a very athletic delivery. Already possessing good velocity, we feel James will be a very hard thrower with a tremendous breaking ball. He should be in the mix to compete for a starting role as a freshman."
Mickey Gasper – C | Merrimack, N.H. | Merrimack | 5-10 | 185
A two-year varsity letterwinner at Merrimack High, Gasper will complete his career with the Tomahawks this spring … Merrimack's starting catcher each of the last two seasons, Gasper has earned back-to-back all-state honors … Earned first-team honors after hitting .417 with 22 RBIs and an OPS of 1.035 as a junior … Named the Hitter of the Year in the Granite State Baseball Fall Showcase league in 2012 after hitting .462 with a 1.314 OPS … Played this past summer with Show Baseball Academy … Also a two-year member of the varsity basketball team … Member of the National Honor Society and New Hampshire Scholars.
Coach Owens on Gasper: "Mickey's addition fills the need in our program for a switch-hitting catcher. He is a very advanced hitter with a tremendous approach and great discipline. Mickey has the ability to hit to all fields and consistently puts together quality at-bats that lead to a high on-base percentage. He has shown strong leadership behind the plate with good skill and high energy."
Logan Lessard – LHP | Cromwell, Conn. | Cromwell | 6-3 | 190
A three-year varsity letterwinner at Cromwell, Lessard will complete his senior season as a captain of the baseball team this spring … Has helped his team reach the Class S state championship game in each of the last two seasons, winning the title as a sophomore in 2012 … Led the Panthers on the mound as a junior, earning First Team All-Shoreline Conference honors after going 8-2 with a 1.06 ERA and six complete games (four shutouts) … Selected to play in the Connecticut Junior All-Star Game … Also selected to play in the Conn. vs. Mass. Junior All-Star Game … Competed in the Rawlings Futures Game this past summer … Also a member of the Cromwell basketball team.
Coach Owens on Lessard: "A left-handed pitcher with good velocity and movement from multiple arm slots. Logan has an athletic frame with a high ceiling. We feel he has the potential to become an impact arm on our staff."
Nolan Hayward – OF/3B | Glendale, R.I. | Mount Saint Charles Academy | 6-3 | 185
A two-year varsity letterwinner at Mount Saint Charles, Hayward will complete his final year this spring … Has earned first team all-state honors each of the last two seasons … Earned the Most Outstanding Player Award at MSC this past season … Led the league in home runs, doubles and triples while hitting .455 as a junior … This past summer attended Area Codes and East Coast pro tryouts … Plays travel baseball for L & M Baseball … Also competes in basketball at MSC … Older brothers Vaughn and Garrett also play Division I baseball … Vaughn pitches at Bryant and Garrett pitches at Duke.
Coach Owens on Hayward: "An outfielder with good size, plus bat speed and a good arm. Nolan has the potential to hit for power and add depth to our corner outfield. With his strong work ethic and high energy, he has the potential to be a middle-of-the order type hitter in our lineup."
Ryan Johnson – RHP | Falmouth, Mass. | Falmouth | 6-3 | 180
A four-year varsity letterwinner at Falmouth High … Enjoyed an outstanding junior season in which he led the team in strikeouts, posting a 4:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio … Also hit .414 and led the team in RBIs … Named to the 2012 Perfect Game Southeast Underclass Showcase Top Prospect list … Earned Perfect Game USA High School Underclassmen All-American Honorable Mention prior to the 2013 season … Plays his summer baseball with the Cape Cod Thunder and fall ball with the Dugout Dawgs … A three-year varsity letterwinner in basketball as well.
Coach Owens on Johnson: "Ryan is a loose right-hander with good velocity and an advanced feel for his breaking pitch. As he matures and gets stronger, we feel he has the ability to be a power-type pitcher. I expect you will hear a lot about him in the coming years."
Ross Weiner – RHP | Woodbridge, Conn. | Amity Regional | 6-3 | 195
A two-year varsity letterwinner at Amity Regional, Weiner will complete his senior season this spring … Helped Amity to a Class LL state title this past spring as a junior … Pitching out of the bullpen, went 1-0 with three saves and a 0.99 ERA in 14 innings … He struck out 15 and allowed just nine hits … Put together an outstanding summer for American Legion Post 127, going 4-2 with one save and a 1.91 ERA in 36.2 innings … He struck out 46 and issued just 16 walks.
Coach Owens on Weiner: "Another big, physical right-hander pitcher that is very projectable. Ross was under the radar this past year due to the strength of his high school staff. Ross is mechanically sound and will continue to get better with experience. We feel he can emerge as one of the top pitchers in the state of Connecticut this spring."
