MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois baseball head coach Ryan Brownlee announced the signing of four recruits for the 2017 class. The four, all high school signees, inked a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday (Nov. 11).
 
The Fighting Leathernecks signed two pitchers, a catcher and outfielder.
 
"This group of incoming Leathernecks fits right in with our previous classes. We have been building our program over the last three and a half years and this class compliments our previous classes. Our new group of Leathernecks and their families have bought into the tradition we are building here with doing things the right way on and off the field," said Brownlee. "Our vision is built on developing men that will be successful while they are here and also after they graduate. These are lifelong relationships that continue long after they leave our program. 
 
"Coach (Shane) Davis and Coach (Matt) Igara are to be complimented on their efforts off and on campus. The three of us work very well together in the recruiting process. Our support staff and administrators are a huge part of our recruiting efforts. It is a family environment here at Western and everyone does a great job of getting our vision across," stated Brownlee.

 
 
 
JAVIN DRAKE  •  6-4, 200  •  RHP  •  Wilton, Iowa (Wilton HS)
Parents: Reggie and Melanie Drake
High School Coach: Jake Souhrada
Club Coach: Jim VanScoyoc
 
AWARDS: Earned All-State Super Team honors last spring… First Team All-District… First Team All-Conference… First Team All-Area… Muscatine Journal 'Player of the Year'… Ranked as the 11th overall prospect in the state of Iowa and the top-ranked right-handed pitcher by Prep Baseball Report… Louisville Slugger Preseason Second Team All-American.
 
CAREER STATS:
1.15 ERA, 189.1 innings pitched
25-5 overall, 1 save
250 strikeouts, .138 opponent batting average
.484 batting average, 3 home runs, 81 RBI, 27 stolen bases
 
ACCORDING TO COACH BROWNLEE: "The sky is the limit for Javin. He is a very projectable athlete. He commands three pitches and has had great success at the high school level. We are excited to see his development over the next four years."
 
ACCORDING TO JAVIN DRAKE: "I enjoyed my visit to Western Illinois, and I'm confident in what the coaching staff is doing there. I think the program is on the rise and I look forward to being a part of it."
 

 
CONNOR REKTORSKI  •  6-0, 165  •  RHP  •  Naperville, Illinois (Neuqua Valley HS)
Parents: Jim and Denean Rektorski
High School Coach: Robin Renner
Club Team: Chicago White Sox ACE
Club Coaches: Kevin Coe and Robert Fletcher
 
AWARDS: Honorable Mention All-Conference… All-Tournament Team Perfect Game Kernels Classic… selected to pitch in the Double Duty Classic at U.S. Cellular Field.
 
STATS: (Junior Year)
4-2, 2.13 ERA
42.0 innings pitched, 26 strikeouts
 
ACCORDING TO COACH BROWNLEE: "Connor is the type of athlete we look for on the mound.  Our coaching staff followed him throughout his high school career and was impressed by his continued development throughout. He and Javin will both help to reload a pitching staff that is losing three key seniors this season."
 
ACCORDING TO REKTORSKI: "I chose WIU because it is only three hours from my house. Family is a big deal to me, and having their support on and off the field means everything. WIU is a perfect fit for me because I love the feel of the campus and the surrounding town. The coaching staff is great and been very welcoming. I can't wait to get started."
 

 
AUSTIN EMANUEL  •  5-10, 180  •  Catcher  •  Mukwonago, Wisconsin (Mukwonago HS)
Parents: Scott and Sheryl Emanuel
Club Team:  Rawlings Hitters
Club Coach: RJ Fergus
 
AWARDS: Perfect Game Kernels Classic All-Tournament team (2015)… Honorable Mention Perfect Game All-American last year… ranked 31st overall and as the No. 3 catcher in Wisconsin by the Prep Baseball Report.
 
STATS: (2015 summer with Hitters)
.383 batting average, .515 on-base percentage
13 doubles, 27 RBI
 
ACCORDING TO COACH BROWNLEE: "Austin was the top catcher on our board. He is an advanced defensive player that competes and is constantly improving at the plate. I am confident that he will continue what is becoming a tradition at Western of having one of the best catching groups in the region."
 
ACCORDING TO EMANUEL: "The attitude around WIU baseball gives me the feeling that high standards for success have been set. The coaching staff has knowledge that will make me a better player. I like the fact that most of their coaching staff has a catching background. The blue-collar program fits me as a player and it is close enough that my family and friends will be able to attend games. I'm very excited to be a part of the Leatherneck baseball program."
 

 
ALEX DORETHY  •  6-1, 187  •  Outfield  •  Astoria, Illinois (VIT)
Parents: Victor and Stacy Dorethy
High School Coach: Matt Klaska
Club Team: Macomb Legion Post 6
Club Coach: Brock Bainter
 
AWARDS: Two-time First Team All-Conference… Cy Young award… Offensive Most Valuable Player… Peoria Area All-Star game selection… three-year starter.
 
STATS:
(Junior year): .452 batting average, 9 home runs, 54 RBI; Pitching 6-0, 76 strikeouts, 51.2 innings
(Career): 13 home runs, 93 RBI
 
ACCORDING TO COACH BROWNLEE: "We first saw Alex the summer before his junior year. He is a strong athlete and left-handed hitting outfielder with power potential. With two outfielders leaving this season due to graduation, Alex will fill the void that they will leave behind. We are very pleased that we were able to recruit a local athlete to continue his career in our program."
 
ACCORDING TO DORETHY: "As a kid, I grew up watching Western baseball. I've wanted to play for Western since I was 10 years old. One conversation with coach Brownlee and the rest of the coaching staff sealed it for me."