Baseball Signs Seven Early Recruits for 2019

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University baseball team and Head Coach Mark Van Ameyde announced the signing of seven players to Letters of Intent Wednesday, Nov. 22 The seven signed during the early signing period that ended on Nov. 14, and will join the Eagles prior to the start of the 2019 season.

The seven joining the Green and White will be Lewis Beals (Mason, Mich.-Eaton Rapids), Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Moeller), Stephen Karis (Zionsville, Ind.-Zionsville Community), Tyler Koons (Flat Rock, Mich.-Carlson), Justin Meis (Pittsburgh, Pa.-Bethel Park), Remington Monce (Largo, Ind.-Northfield (Jackson College)), and Josh Thompson (Springboro, Ohio-Springboro).

"I'm thrilled to announce our newest recruiting class to Eastern Michigan," Van Ameyde said. "Coach Roof and Coach Schmitz have done another tremendous job in finding highly talented and motivated student-athletes to become Eagles. These young men have a bright future ahead of them and we look forward to seeing them on campus next fall."

Lewis Beals       IF/OF       L/L   6-0   185   Mason, Mich.-Eaton Rapids

Beals joins the Eagles from Mason, Michigan where he attends Eaton Rapids High School. As a Greyhound, he plays under Head Coach Rick Acker primarily as a centerfielder. In three seasons on varsity, Beals has been named all-conference three times, and all-district twice, as well as all-region and all-state as a junior. He is a three-time academic all-conference honoree. In his junior season, Beals hit .530 with 38 RBIs and 10 home runs. His freshman and sophomore season, Beals helped Eaton Rapids to back-to-back district titles.

Lewis is a premier player, he is a big, physical, athletic kid that can make an immediate impact for us right away," Assistant Coach Eric Roof said. "He is a left-handed bat that will hit for power and a high average. On top of that he is a plus runner and a good defender. He showcases great physical skills, but even better intangibles skills. He posses great leadership qualities, is a high character kid, a great student, and a perfect fit for us."

Taylor Hopkins   INF   L/R   6-0   175   Mason, Ohio-Moeller

Hopkins currently attends Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio and plays under Head Coach Tim Held as a Crusader. Hopkins is a two-time letterwinner as a second baseman for Moeller. His junior season, he was named Second Team All Greater Catholic League.

"Taylor is a left-handed hitting middle infielder from one of the best high school programs in the Midwest," Assistant Coach Spencer Schmitz added. "He has the ability to be a plus defender at shortstop or second base and will be a top-of-the-order-type hitter."

Stephen Karis   C   R/R   5-9   170   Zionsville, Ind.-Zionsville Community

Karis comes to Ypsilanti from the Hooiser state as he currently attends Zionsville Community High School, playing under Head Coach Jered Moore as an Eagle. Karis is a three-time letterwinner and one-time captain as a catcher for Zionsville. Coming into his senior season, Karis is an Under Armour Preseason All-American candidate. He is also a representative of his high school's student-athlete leadership conference. He has helped lead the Eagles to two sectional titles, two regional titles, and a state runner-up finish. Karis also lettered in football at Zionsville.

Stephen is an elite catch and throw guy," Roof expressed. "He is an extremely athletic kid and a two way athlete in high school with football being the other sport. He has an extremely strong arm behind the plate and some of the best hands I've recruited. He showcases great bat speed and will hit at our level. Comes from a great high school and travel ball program, with some of the best catching training in the Midwest."

Tyler Koons   RHP   R/R   6-1   180   Flat Rock, Mich.-Carlson

Koons is the most local product of the class, attending Oscar A. Carlson High School in nearby Wayne County. The right-handed pitcher plays under Head Coach Chad Liptow as a Marauder. Koons is a three-year letterwinner, and has captained the team once. His junior season, Koons tossed 80 innings, recording a 0.95 ERA with 94 strikeouts and a 9-2 record. For his efforts, he was named both all-league and all-region. Koons has also lettered in football and basketball for Carlson, and was named all-league and all-region on the hardwood.

"Taylor is an exciting pitching prospect," Schmitz stated. "He has a very quick arm and some of the best command of any pitcher in the state. His pitchability should allow him to get significant innings early in his career."

Justin Meis   RHP   R/R   6-2   160   Pittsburgh, Pa.-Bethel Park

Meis heads west from Pittsburgh to join the Eagles. He currently attends Bethel Park High School and plays under Head Coach Tony Fisher as a Black Hawk. The right-handed pitcher is a four-time letterwinner for Bethel Park, and was named first team all-section last season in route to a sectional title. Meis also plays basketball, lettering three times and garnering second team all-section accolades.

"Justin is a right-handed pitcher that throws a lot of strikes with 3 pitches," Schmitz explained. "He has an outstanding swing and miss breaking ball. He's played for a great summer organization in the Pittsburgh area and knows how to compete on the mound."

Remington Monce   RHP   R/R   6-2   210   Largo, Ind.-Northfield (Jackson College)

Monce is the lone JUCO transfer in the early signing class, coming to Ypsilanti from nearby Jackson College. He is originally from Largo, Indiana and attended Northfield Jr.-Sr. High School. At Jackson College, Monce has been named to the conference's all-academic team, as well as the all-freshman team. He was also a recipient of the National Junior College Athletic Association Gold Glove award for pitchers. Prior to junior college, Monce was a four-time letterwinner and two-time captain for Northfield. Playing under Head Coaches Clint Davis and Tori Shafer as a Norseman, Monce was a three-time all-conference honoree, and helped his team to a state runner-up finish his freshman year. He also holds the school record for lowest single-season ERA, with a mark of 0.91.

"Remington is a workhorse on the mound, he is a very competitive kid who always wants the ball," Roof said. "He had a lot of Division I interest out of high school but chose Jackson C.C. to further his development. He pitched in over 50 innings last year at the JC level and should pitch more this year. He showcases an upper 80s fastball with a power curveball and great feel for the change up. Looking forward to him wearing the Green and White."

Josh Thompson   OF   L/L   5-11   185   Springboro, Ohio-Springboro

Thompson also comes to Eastern from southern Ohio, as he currently attends Springboro High School, playing under head Coach Mark Pelfrey as a Panther. He has lettered twice for Springboro as both an outfielder and pitcher. Thompson helped the Panthers to a conference, sectional, and district title as a junior.

"Josh is one of the best hitters in the 2018 class," Schmitz exclaimed. "He has great eye at the plate and can hit for average and power. He also, has a plus arm from the OF and may see some time on the mound."

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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