Eastern Michigan Athletics
Baseball Announces Eight Additional Signees for 2018
9/7/2017 11:27:00 AM | Baseball
The eight players join the nine signed last fall
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University baseball Head Coach Mark Van Ameyde and his staff announced the signing of eight additional players to the 2018 recruiting class Thursday, Sept. 7. The eight will join the nine players EMU signed last November.
The eight players joining the Green and White are Cameron Cruz (Chandler, Ariz.-Hamilton (Bentley U-Mesa C.C.)), Scott Granzotto (Northville, Mich.-Gabriel Richard), Thomas House (Okeana, Ohio-Ross), Nick Porretto (Geneva, Ill.-Geneva (UW-Oshkosh-McHenry C.C.)), Jackson Shaver (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern (Grand Rapids C.C.)), Mitchell Sparks (Carmel, Ind.-Carmel (Iowa Lakes C.C.)), Brett Stenger (Kingsville, Ontario-Kingsville District (Indian Hills C.C.)), and Zach Wallace (Alamo, Calif.-De La Salle (UC San Diego-Palomar College)).
They join the nine recruits signed in the fall, Jacob Bolton (Lewis Center, Ohio-Bishop Watterson (Sinclair C.C.-Morehead State)), Kolby Dewhirst (Livonia, Mich.-Livonia Franklin), Shane Easter (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Comstock), Eli Gora (Cincinnati, Ohio-Anderson), Nate Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview), Jared Kauffman (Springboro, Ohio-Bishop Fenwick), Luke McGuire (Shelby Township, Mich.-Adlai E. Stevenson), Nolan Petroelje (Hudsonville, Mich.-Hudsonville), and Kolton Schenker (Augusta, Kan.-Augusta (Labette C.C.)).
The eight players joining the Green and White are Cameron Cruz (Chandler, Ariz.-Hamilton (Bentley U-Mesa C.C.)), Scott Granzotto (Northville, Mich.-Gabriel Richard), Thomas House (Okeana, Ohio-Ross), Nick Porretto (Geneva, Ill.-Geneva (UW-Oshkosh-McHenry C.C.)), Jackson Shaver (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern (Grand Rapids C.C.)), Mitchell Sparks (Carmel, Ind.-Carmel (Iowa Lakes C.C.)), Brett Stenger (Kingsville, Ontario-Kingsville District (Indian Hills C.C.)), and Zach Wallace (Alamo, Calif.-De La Salle (UC San Diego-Palomar College)).
They join the nine recruits signed in the fall, Jacob Bolton (Lewis Center, Ohio-Bishop Watterson (Sinclair C.C.-Morehead State)), Kolby Dewhirst (Livonia, Mich.-Livonia Franklin), Shane Easter (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Comstock), Eli Gora (Cincinnati, Ohio-Anderson), Nate Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview), Jared Kauffman (Springboro, Ohio-Bishop Fenwick), Luke McGuire (Shelby Township, Mich.-Adlai E. Stevenson), Nolan Petroelje (Hudsonville, Mich.-Hudsonville), and Kolton Schenker (Augusta, Kan.-Augusta (Labette C.C.)).
"We are really excited with our incoming class, proud to have not only good athletes and talented kids, but good people that will be future leaders of this program.," Van Ameyde said. "Coach Roof and Coach Schmitz continue to do an amazing job of finding the right fit for our program. Their work ethic, energy, and thoroughness is second to none. We would not be able to bring in such high quality recruits if it were not for them and their efforts."
Cameron Cruz OF R/R 5-10 175 Chandler, Ariz.-Hamilton (Bentley U-Mesa C.C.)
MESA C.C.: Spent his sophomore season at Mesa Community College as a Thunderbird...Hit .313, including 61 hits, 16 doubles, five triples, and four home runs, as well as 41 RBIs...Was also a threat on the base paths, scoring 40 runs and stealing 16 bases...BENTLEY UNIVERSITY: Played his freshman campaign at Bentley University in Massachusetts...Appeared in 40 games for the Falcons, totaling 24 hits, six doubles, a home run, and 11 RBIs...Also scored 16 runs and stole nine bases...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Hamilton High School and played under Head Coach Mike Woods as a Huskie...Was a two time letterwinner, hitting .400 as a senior with 14 doubles, three homers, 43 RBIs, and 11 steals...Was named first team all-city, second-team all-region, and all-state honorable mention...Helped his team to a Division-1 State Championship his junior season, finishing with a 30-3 record...PERSONAL: Full name: Cameron Cruz...Son of Ralph and Joyce Cruz...Has one sister, Gabby...Major: Business.
Scott Granzotto LHP R/L 6-0 160 Northville, Mich.-Gabriel Richard
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Father Gabriel Richard High School and played under Head Coach Greg Lenhoff as a member of the Fighting Irish...Was a four-time letterwinner and two-time captain...Pitched to a 0.77 ERA over 64 innings his senior season, earning nine wins and striking out 111, while holding opponents to a .118 batting average...Was named first team all-state as a senior, as well as second team all-state as a junior, while also earning first-team all-conference and district accolades three times, and first team all-region honors twice...Named the Team MVP three times as well...Helped his team to a pair of district titles, as well as a regional championship his junior year...Also lettered twice in hockey, where he was named all-state twice...PERSONAL: Full name: Scott Michael Granzotto...Son of Michael and Susan Granzotto...Has one brother, Matt...Major: Nursing.
Thomas House RHP R/R 6-2 165 Okeana, Ohio-Ross
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Ross Senior High School and played under Head Coach Jason Rettinger as a Ram...Was a four-year letterwinner as a pitcher and outfielder...Went 8-1 with a 1.46 ERA and 114 strikeouts his senior season, helping his team to conference, sectional, and district championships...Holds the Ross record for both season and career strikeouts (213)...Was named second team all-state and all-city his senior season, while also garnering all-conference and all-area accolades three times...Also participated in basketball...PERSONAL: Full name: Thomas Michael House...Son of Chris and Michelle House...Father played baseball at Tiffin University...Has one brother, Trevor...Major: Pre-med.
Nick Porretto RHP R/R 6-4 210 Geneva, Ill.-Geneva (UW Oshkosh-McHenry C.C.)
MCHENRY C.C.: Spent his sophomore season at McHenry County College, appearing in nine games, totaling 35 innings...Pitched to a 2.31 ERA, going 6-1 with 48 strikeouts...UW-OSHKOSH: Attended UW-Oshkosh his freshman season, where he appeared in eight games, racking up eight strikeouts in just six innings...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Geneva Community High School and played under Head Coach Matt Hahn as a Viking...Lettered twice as a pitcher and corner infielder...Set his school's single-season saves record...PERSONAL: Full name: Nicholas Michael Porretto...Son of Brian and Jamielee Porretto...Has one brother, Joe, and one sister, Rylie...Major: Exercise science.
Jackson Shaver RHP R/R 6-7 210 Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern (Grand Rapids C.C.)
GRAND RAPIDS C.C.: Spent his first two seasons at Grand Rapids Community College as a Raider...Named All-Western Conference his sophomore season after pitching to a 4.43 ERA in 65 innings, earning six wins and striking out 52...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Forrest Hills Northern High School and played under Head Coach John Dolce as a Huskie...Was a four-time letterwinner and two-time captain...Named all-conference three times and all-region twice...Also lettered in tennis, where he was named all-state three times...PERSONAL: Full name: Jackson Robert Shaver...Son of Robert and Cindy Shaver...Has one brother, Joseph...Major: Sport management.
Mitchell Sparks LHP L/L 6-2 196 Carmel, Ind.-Carmel (Iowa Lakes C.C.)
IOWA LAKES C.C.: Spent his first two seasons at Iowa Lakes Community College as a Laker...Appeared in 11 games as a sophomore, starting 10...Racked up 32 strikeouts in 54.2 innings...Had 34 strikeouts in 53.1 innings his freshman season in nine starts...Tossed a complete game shutout against Iowa Central, striking out six...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended both Maumelle High School in Arkansas, as well as Carmel High School in Indiana...Earned three letters in his high school career between the two schools...PERSONAL: Full name: Mitchell Henry Sparks...Son of Dwayne and Gena Sparks...Major: Business.
Brett Stenger RHP R/R 6-2 215 Kingsville, Ontario-Kingsville District (Indian Hills C.C.)
INDIAN HILLS C.C.: Spent his freshman season at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa...Appeared in eight games, making one start, totaling 11 strikeouts in 12 innings...HIGH SCHOOL...Attended Kingsville District High School and played under Head Coach Ted Rochlod as a Cavalier...Was named the team's MVP in 2014...Also participated in hockey...PERSONAL: Full name: Brett John Stenger...Son of Bob and Michelle Stenger...Has one brother, Chad, and one sister, Mackenzie...Major: Business.
Zach Wallace RHP 6-4 230 Alamo, Calif.-De La Salle (UC San Diego-Palomar College)
PALOMAR COLLEGE: Spent his sophomore season at Palomar College...Appeared in 10 games, totaling a 3.60 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 10 innings...Pitched an immaculate inning against Imperial Valley College...UC SAN DIEGO: Spent his first two seasons of eligibility at UC San Diego...Redshirted as a 'true' freshman in 2015...Appeared in four games as a redshirt freshman, totaling 3.1 innings...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended De La Salle High School and played under Head Coach David Jeans as a Spartan...Lettered twice, totaling a career ERA of 1.24...Helped his team to a CIF North Coast Section championship as a senior...Also played in the renowned De La Salle football program where he was a member of the 2012 state championship team...PERSONAL: Full name: Zachary Eugene Wallace...Son of Clayton and Liza Wallace...Has one brother Matthew, and one sister, Lauren...Major: Sport management.
Cameron Cruz OF R/R 5-10 175 Chandler, Ariz.-Hamilton (Bentley U-Mesa C.C.)
MESA C.C.: Spent his sophomore season at Mesa Community College as a Thunderbird...Hit .313, including 61 hits, 16 doubles, five triples, and four home runs, as well as 41 RBIs...Was also a threat on the base paths, scoring 40 runs and stealing 16 bases...BENTLEY UNIVERSITY: Played his freshman campaign at Bentley University in Massachusetts...Appeared in 40 games for the Falcons, totaling 24 hits, six doubles, a home run, and 11 RBIs...Also scored 16 runs and stole nine bases...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Hamilton High School and played under Head Coach Mike Woods as a Huskie...Was a two time letterwinner, hitting .400 as a senior with 14 doubles, three homers, 43 RBIs, and 11 steals...Was named first team all-city, second-team all-region, and all-state honorable mention...Helped his team to a Division-1 State Championship his junior season, finishing with a 30-3 record...PERSONAL: Full name: Cameron Cruz...Son of Ralph and Joyce Cruz...Has one sister, Gabby...Major: Business.
Scott Granzotto LHP R/L 6-0 160 Northville, Mich.-Gabriel Richard
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Father Gabriel Richard High School and played under Head Coach Greg Lenhoff as a member of the Fighting Irish...Was a four-time letterwinner and two-time captain...Pitched to a 0.77 ERA over 64 innings his senior season, earning nine wins and striking out 111, while holding opponents to a .118 batting average...Was named first team all-state as a senior, as well as second team all-state as a junior, while also earning first-team all-conference and district accolades three times, and first team all-region honors twice...Named the Team MVP three times as well...Helped his team to a pair of district titles, as well as a regional championship his junior year...Also lettered twice in hockey, where he was named all-state twice...PERSONAL: Full name: Scott Michael Granzotto...Son of Michael and Susan Granzotto...Has one brother, Matt...Major: Nursing.
Thomas House RHP R/R 6-2 165 Okeana, Ohio-Ross
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Ross Senior High School and played under Head Coach Jason Rettinger as a Ram...Was a four-year letterwinner as a pitcher and outfielder...Went 8-1 with a 1.46 ERA and 114 strikeouts his senior season, helping his team to conference, sectional, and district championships...Holds the Ross record for both season and career strikeouts (213)...Was named second team all-state and all-city his senior season, while also garnering all-conference and all-area accolades three times...Also participated in basketball...PERSONAL: Full name: Thomas Michael House...Son of Chris and Michelle House...Father played baseball at Tiffin University...Has one brother, Trevor...Major: Pre-med.
Nick Porretto RHP R/R 6-4 210 Geneva, Ill.-Geneva (UW Oshkosh-McHenry C.C.)
MCHENRY C.C.: Spent his sophomore season at McHenry County College, appearing in nine games, totaling 35 innings...Pitched to a 2.31 ERA, going 6-1 with 48 strikeouts...UW-OSHKOSH: Attended UW-Oshkosh his freshman season, where he appeared in eight games, racking up eight strikeouts in just six innings...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Geneva Community High School and played under Head Coach Matt Hahn as a Viking...Lettered twice as a pitcher and corner infielder...Set his school's single-season saves record...PERSONAL: Full name: Nicholas Michael Porretto...Son of Brian and Jamielee Porretto...Has one brother, Joe, and one sister, Rylie...Major: Exercise science.
Jackson Shaver RHP R/R 6-7 210 Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern (Grand Rapids C.C.)
GRAND RAPIDS C.C.: Spent his first two seasons at Grand Rapids Community College as a Raider...Named All-Western Conference his sophomore season after pitching to a 4.43 ERA in 65 innings, earning six wins and striking out 52...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Forrest Hills Northern High School and played under Head Coach John Dolce as a Huskie...Was a four-time letterwinner and two-time captain...Named all-conference three times and all-region twice...Also lettered in tennis, where he was named all-state three times...PERSONAL: Full name: Jackson Robert Shaver...Son of Robert and Cindy Shaver...Has one brother, Joseph...Major: Sport management.
Mitchell Sparks LHP L/L 6-2 196 Carmel, Ind.-Carmel (Iowa Lakes C.C.)
IOWA LAKES C.C.: Spent his first two seasons at Iowa Lakes Community College as a Laker...Appeared in 11 games as a sophomore, starting 10...Racked up 32 strikeouts in 54.2 innings...Had 34 strikeouts in 53.1 innings his freshman season in nine starts...Tossed a complete game shutout against Iowa Central, striking out six...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended both Maumelle High School in Arkansas, as well as Carmel High School in Indiana...Earned three letters in his high school career between the two schools...PERSONAL: Full name: Mitchell Henry Sparks...Son of Dwayne and Gena Sparks...Major: Business.
Brett Stenger RHP R/R 6-2 215 Kingsville, Ontario-Kingsville District (Indian Hills C.C.)
INDIAN HILLS C.C.: Spent his freshman season at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa...Appeared in eight games, making one start, totaling 11 strikeouts in 12 innings...HIGH SCHOOL...Attended Kingsville District High School and played under Head Coach Ted Rochlod as a Cavalier...Was named the team's MVP in 2014...Also participated in hockey...PERSONAL: Full name: Brett John Stenger...Son of Bob and Michelle Stenger...Has one brother, Chad, and one sister, Mackenzie...Major: Business.
Zach Wallace RHP 6-4 230 Alamo, Calif.-De La Salle (UC San Diego-Palomar College)
PALOMAR COLLEGE: Spent his sophomore season at Palomar College...Appeared in 10 games, totaling a 3.60 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 10 innings...Pitched an immaculate inning against Imperial Valley College...UC SAN DIEGO: Spent his first two seasons of eligibility at UC San Diego...Redshirted as a 'true' freshman in 2015...Appeared in four games as a redshirt freshman, totaling 3.1 innings...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended De La Salle High School and played under Head Coach David Jeans as a Spartan...Lettered twice, totaling a career ERA of 1.24...Helped his team to a CIF North Coast Section championship as a senior...Also played in the renowned De La Salle football program where he was a member of the 2012 state championship team...PERSONAL: Full name: Zachary Eugene Wallace...Son of Clayton and Liza Wallace...Has one brother Matthew, and one sister, Lauren...Major: Sport management.
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