EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball and Head Coach Chris Ramirez announced the addition of 29 players to the 2025 roster. The 29 players include five Division I transfers, five Division II transfers, two NAIA transfers, and 17 NJCAA transfers. By position, the 29 new players include 16 pitchers, seven infielders, five outfielders, and one catcher.
“This will go down as one of the more memorable recruiting classes of my coaching career,” said Ramirez. “Stepping into the program with only 14 players on the roster in mid-July, I can’t say enough about the work our coaching staff did to build this team.
“We were able to sign players from all over the country,” continued Ramirez. “The JUCO route was our sweet spot, as we targeted guys with a track record of success at winning programs. We also dipped into the transfer portal to add some high-talent players from the D1, D2 and NAIA level that should make an immediate impact as Screaming Eagles!”
The new Screaming Eagles are:
PITCHERS:
| Name | B-T | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown/High School | Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Anderson | R-R | 6-1 | 215 | Sr. | Iron Mountain, MI / Iron Mountain | Middle Tenn. St. |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Anderson: “Ian can be a strikeout machine with a power arm and a big-time breaking ball. He has the experience of having the ball in his hand when the game is in balance. We look forward to Ian getting back to being the strikeout guy he can be.”
| Mason Bell | R-R | 5-8 | 180 | Jr. | Knoxville, TN / Gibb | Motlow State |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Bell: “Mason is a dog on the mound. He’s not afraid of anyone and competes his butt off. Mason is a guy who wants the ball in his hand when the game is on the line.”
| Justin Breitenstein | R-R | 6-5 | 225 | So. | Estero, FL / Estero | Lafayette |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Breitenstein: “Justin is a big guy who is not afraid to go after hitters. He had a great summer in Florida, and we look for Justin to keep growing and really develop with us.”
| Camden Dimidjian | R-L | 6-0 | 215 | Gr. | Pittsburgh, PA / Thomas Jefferson | USC-Beaufort |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Dimidjian: “Cam is an experienced left-handed starter. He has had a successful career in the Peach Belt Conference and it’s first ever perfect game. He is now two-years removed from Tommy John and we look for him to return to return to his pre-TJ dominance.”
| Andres Gonzalez | R-R | 6-0 | 190 | Jr. | Nogals, AZ / Sahuarita | Gateway C.C. |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Gonzalez: “Andres is a big-time competitor. He comes to USI after logging a lot of college innings and success. We are looking for Andres to be a work horse for us and bring his competitiveness to the pitching staff.”
| Jai Jensen | R-R | 6-3 | 225 | Jr. | Clinton, IA / Clinton | Des Moines Area C.C. |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Jensen: “Jai had a good freshman year, but had a back luck injury during his sophomore year. He has a plus-arm with the ability to fill up the zone without giving up hard contact. Another winning program guy who’s had the ball in his hand during a lot of big games. We look for Jai to be back to 100%.”
| Ryan Karl | R-R | 6-0 | 175 | Jr. | Eureka, MO / Cuba | Southwestern Illinois |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Karl: “Ryan has an electric arm and is a plus athlete. He is going into year two off Tommy John surgery. We expect him to make another big jump this year and contribute meaningful innings for us.”
| Jay Kennedy | R-R | 6-5 | 215 | So. | Iowa City, IA / Iowa City | Southeastern C.C. |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Kennedy: “Jay is a dynamic left-hander who makes hitters uncomfortable. A winning-program athlete who has pitched in back-to-back NJCAA world series. Jay is a tough competitor, mentally prepared for any situation, and we look for him to continue his success.”
| Blake Kimball | R-R | 6-1 | 185 | Jr. | Tolono, IL / Tolono | Indiana-Kokomo |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Kimball: “Blake knows how to compete and has a big presence on the mound. He recently made the move to the mound after playing his entire career at shortstop. Blake’s arm strength and athleticism are evident when he toes the rubber and we are excited to watch him continue making big strides on the mound.”
| Matthew Lighthall | B-R | 6-5 | 180 | Jr. | Littleton, CO / Chatfield | South Mountain |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Lighthall: “Matthew has a big-time athletic arm and comes to USI after a successful sophomore campaign as a starter from an Arizona JUCO Conference. This summer, he showed very well in the Northwoods. We are excited to have part of our program and look forward to him competing to being one of the core guys on the staff.”
| David Marshall | R-R | 6-3 | 210 | Fr. | Newport, VA | Liberty |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Marshall: “David has a plus arsenal of pitches and dominated when given the opportunity this summer. We believe his summer success is going to be a solid foundation for him build on and be a big part of what we do at USI.”
| Jake Porter | L-L | 6-0 | 190 | Jr. | Winterset, IA / Winterset | Des Moines Area C.C. |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Porter: “Jake has shown the ability to be electric on the left side of the mound while striking out a lot of hitters. He has pitched for two of the winningest programs in recent junior college history. We look for Jake to build consistency with more innings.”
| Aaron Rubio | R-R | 6-1 | 190 | So. | Henderson, NV / Basic | Southern Nevada |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Rubio: “Aaron knows how to flat out compete on the mound. He brings it every day, and you know exactly what he is going to give each outing. Aaron’s comfortable in high pressure situations and was successful for Southern Nevada, a winning program. We expect Aaron to be a versatile piece to our pitching staff this year.”
| Justin Stimpson | R-R | 6-4 | 185 | Jr. | Evansville, IN / North | Rend Lake |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Stimpson: “Justin is another local player, who is an experienced arm by logging a lot of college innings. We except him to keep growing and become a trusted arm for us.”
| Brian Uribe | R-R | 6-0 | 205 | Jr. | Camarillo, CA / Camarillo | Southern Nevada |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Uribe: “Brain has a big arm with a plus slider. He was a major part of the bullpen this year for Southern Nevada who made a run to the NJCAA World Series. Brian is used to working in tough spots and environments and will be ready for whatever we throw at him. We expect Brian to give us big moments on the mound this year.”
| Hiroyuki Yamada | R-R | 6-2 | 210 | Sr. | Nagoya, Japan / Toyoake | Lewis & Clark St. |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Yamada: “Hiro attacks hitters from a funky arm slot. He’s thrown a lot of college innings with success in every role he has been put in. We look forward to Hiro being a work horse this year and continue his track record of success.”
CATCHERS:
| Name | B-T | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown/High School | Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micajah Wall | R-R | 6-6 | 200 | Jr. | Marion, NC / Central | Lenior-Rhyne |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Wall: “Micajah is a plus-athlete with elite-arm strength behind the plate. He is the guy pitchers want to throw to. We need Micajah to continue to grow as a player and become a leader.”
INFIELDERS:
| Name | B-T | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown/High School | Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kannon Coakley | R-R | 6-2 | 230 | Fr. | Maquoketa, IA / Maquoketa | Des Moines Area C.C. |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Coakley: “Kannon has plus-power with the ability to make any park look small. A versatile catcher who can play multiple positions. He comes from a winning program, playing in several big games. We look for him to continue dropping bombs, this time for us.”
| Carter Hood | R-R | 6-0 | 190 | Jr. | Newburgh, IN / Castle | Southeastern Illinois C.C. |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Hood: “Carter has great bat to ball skills and is a trusted fielder who makes all the routine plays. Carter is “old school” and we are expecting him to keep grinding and have an impact on the program.”
| Cole Kitchens | R-R | 6-3 | 215 | Jr. | Centerton, AR / Bentonville West | Crowder |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Kitchens: “As an everyday player for Crowder, Cole displayed next level power. His versatility and ability to consistently put barrel to the ball with plus-power gives him the opportunity to be a middle of the order bat who projects well for the next level.”
| Parker Martin | L-R | 5-10 | 190 | So. | Missouri City, TX / Ridge Point | Allen County C.C. |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Martin: “Parker is an absolute gamer and was the everyday shortstop as a freshman in a strong Kansas Junior College Conference. At the plate, he hits to all fields and is impossible to strikeout. His actions defensively are so fluid he makes the spectacular play look routine. He has an opportunity to be a main stay in the middle of the field for us.”
| Clayton Slack | R-R | 5-11 | 177 | Jr. | Viroqua, IA / Viroqua | Madison |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Slack: “Clayton is an athletic, sure handed middle infielder who has shown the ability to hit for a high average. He is another guy who comes from a winning program and has played in a world series. Clayton is going make our lineup more versatile with ability to play all over the infield. Our expectations are very high for him.”
| Noah Smallwood | R-R | 5-10 | 170 | Jr. | Owasso, OK / Owasso | Seminole State |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Smallwood: “Noah is a natural hitter, displaying power, ability to hit for average, and steal a base. A plus-athlete who can play anywhere on the infield, he is guy from a winning program in Seminole State that one win away from the NJCAA World Series this year. We look forward to him bringing his winning ways to USI.”
| Anthony Umbach | R-R | 5-7 | 140 | So. | Midland, NC / Hickory Ridge | Emory & Henry |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Umbach: “Anthony knows how to grind and makes his opponents feel his presence on the field. He has been challenged and prepared for this next level after being an everyday shortstop for Emory & Henry, which plays in one of the top D2 conferences, and playing for Cleveland (Community College).”
OUTFIELDERS:
| Name | B-T | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown/High School | Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BJ Banyon | R-R | 6-1 | 180 | Sr. | Bartlett, TN / Bartlett | Charleston Southern |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Banyon: “BJ knows what it takes to be successful at the D1 level. He is coming off a good junior year at Charleston Southern where he led off & played the outfield every day. We expect more of the same and hoping he can provide some leadership.”
| Khi Holiday | R-R | 5-9 | 160 | Sr. | Tupelo, MS / Tupelo Christian | Lenior-Rhyne |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Holiday: “Khi has contagious energy about him. He is a tone setter at the top of the lineup, who can cover the entire outfield with his elite speed. Khi is the guy other teams hate seeing in the other dugout. We look forward to seeing him develop into one of our leaders and bring it every day.”
| Patrick McLellan | R-R | 6-0 | 190 | Jr. | San Diego, CA / Westview | Palomar |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on McLellan: “Patrick is a natural hitter, who has shown he can handle all pitchers, even with a wood bat. He plays anywhere on the field, which will allow us to do many things with him in our lineup. He comes from Palomar, one of the winningest junior colleges in California.”
| Hunter Miller | L-R | 6-0 | 190 | Jr. | Fort Pierce, FL / Central | USC-Beaufort |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Miller: “The great thing about Hunter is you know exactly what you are getting from him — consistency. His consistency has been on display since day one as freshman when he earned an everyday role and continued in that role as sophomore in a really strong conference. We look forward to Hunter continuing what he has done for the last two years.”
| Evan Zapp | L-R | 5-11 | 205 | So. | Greenwood, IN / Center Grove | Queens University |
Assistant Coach Brandon Krennrich on Zapp: “Evan has all the tools to be a program difference maker. He has great bloodlines and knows what it takes to be successful at the highest level. Evan is a local kid who wanted to come back home and be part of what we are establishing at USI.”
In addition to the 29 newly announced additions since July 1, Screaming Eagles had signed eight players last fall and in the spring. Signing prior to July 1 are freshman catcher Kevin Cruz Lopez (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico); freshman pitcher Marshall Loch (Union Grove, Wisconsin/Union Grove); junior catcher Charlie Marisca (Grayslake, Illinois/Central/Parkland); sophomore pitcher Kiefer Parsons (Evansville, Indiana/Reitz/Oakland City); freshman pitcher Mitchell Renfro (Evansville, Indiana/North); junior outfielder/catcher Mason Roehr (Granite City, Illinois/Granite City/Southwestern Illinois); freshman pitcher Sage Stout (Birdseye, Indiana/Forest Park); and freshman pitcher Colin Wolfe (Evansville, Indiana/North).
