UE Baseball Adds Harkness, Rouse for 2015

University of Evansville baseball coach Wes Carroll announced the signing of two student-athletes to National Letters of Intent (NLI) during the spring signing period Wednesday afternoon that will continue their athletic and academic careers at UE.

The Purple Aces’ added Brodie Harkness, a left-handed pitcher from Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada and Luke Rouse, an outfielder from Lexington, Ky., to their 2015 signing class.  The signings of Harkness and Rouse bring Evansville’s signee total to eight, as they will join UE’s six-player winter signing class.

BRODIE HARKNESS, 6-3, LHP, R/L, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO (ST. STEPHEN’S SECONDARY SCHOOL)

Notable:  Named the St. Stephen’s Second School Male Athlete of the Year in 2013, as a member of the basketball, lacrosse and hockey teams…Member of the Ontario Blue Jays for head coach Dan Bleiwas…Named to the Perfect Game All-Tournament Team at the 2013 World Wood Bat Association Championships in Jupiter, Fla….Selected to Team Canda’s 18U team in 2013…Earned the stop for Team Canada against Japan at the 18U World Championships…Helped the Ontario Blue Jays to a 34-1 record in 2012…Grandfather, Tim Harkness, played professionally for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1961-62) and the New York Mets (1963-64).

Coach Carroll on Harkness:  “Brodie is a very talented and polished left-handed pitcher that will compete for a rotation spot his freshman year.  The Ontario Blue Jays program has produced many great Aces’ players in the past and I believe Brodie will continue that trend.”

LUKE ROUSE, 5-10, OF, L/R, LEXINGTON, KY. (TATES CREEK)

Notable:  Four-year letterwinner at Tates Creek High School for head coach Dom Fucci…Currently hitting .484 (31-64) with a .602 on-base percentage and 18 walks with just five strikeouts…Led the Commodores to a school-record 33-7 overall mark in 2013 that included both district and regional championships…Member of the Kentucky Baseball Club for head coach Kevin Clary…Helped his club team to a 16U National Championship, 16U World Series Championship, 16U World Wood Bat Association Elite 8 appearance and a 18U World Series Championship.

Coach Carroll on Rouse:  “Luke has a great swing and brings athleticism to our program.  He comes from a great high school and summer league programs that have him prepared for Missouri Valley Conference baseball.  He is a very instinctive player and the type of player that thrives in our system.”