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WIU Adds 19 New Faces

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Coach Sheriff brings in 19 recruits

MACOMB, Ill – First year interim head coach Tayler Sheriff stayed busy on the recruiting trail this past year. Sheriff brought in 19 new faces that range from high school graduates to junior college All Americans.
 
"We've exhausted all of our resources to really restock our roster here within the baseball program. It was important for us to get older, experienced, physical players that have come from winning backgrounds and I think we accomplished that with this 2022 class. Our staff is very excited to see what this group brings to the field, to the room, and the Western Illinois community."
 
Mitchel Sampson: RHP; Galesburg, ILL; Heartland CC 
"Mitchel was a big part of a really good program at Heartland that made a Junior College World Series in 2022. He's a winner, that is going to be a big part of our pitching staff in 2023."
 
Ethan Alexander: RHP; Oak Lawn, ILL; Rend Lake CC
"Ethan is a guy that is just scratching the surface of what he can be. He has an electric arsenal and we're excited to see what he can do in the purple and gold."
 
Eric Fettinger: RHP; Fishers, IND; Harford CC
"Eric has a very gritty background. He's a guy that has had to work very hard to get where he is in his development. His work ethic and commitment to development has us excited to work with him."
 
Dylan Wetterling: RHP; Macomb, ILL; Spoon River CC
"Dylan is a local kid who, like Eric, has had to work hard for everything. He has been around the block a little bit being an older junior college guy. We're excited to see how his experience will translate."
 
Tyler Kapraun: LHP; Peoria, ILL; Kansas City Kansas CC
"Another transfer here in Tyler Kapraun. He is a projectable guy that has had to learn how to pitch. Has that crafty lefty in him a little bit."
 
Cade Herrmann: RHP; Omaha, NEB; Wayne State University
"Cade Herrmann is another transfer that has been around the block. He showed signs of being dominant throughout his four years at Wayne State and returned to that form this summer in Western Canada. He is a guy we're expecting big things from in 2023."
 
Cam Howard: RHP; Fishers, IND; Hamilton Southeastern HS
"Cam is a great kid from a great family. He knows how to train and he knows how to compete. We believe Cam is going to play a big role in 2023 and beyond."
 
Chase Golden: RHP; Carmel, IND; Brebeuf Jesuit HS
"Chase is an exciting kid to be around. Very positive, energetic guy that is going to bring a lot of value to the pitching on and off the field."
 
Jackson Burk: LHP; Beloit, WIS; Beloit Turner HS
"Recruiting this class we were looking for winners and Jackson fit the mold. He won a ton of games in high school. He was a high school wrestler so you know he has an edge and loves to compete."
 
Aron Harrington: OF/LHP; Council Bluffs, IOWA; Lewis Central HS
"Big kid we were able to add late in the summer. Can do a little bit of everything on the baseball field. He was an all-state selection in the state of Iowa for a very good high school program. He's going to be a fun guy to watch develop over the next four years."
 
Rick Pospisil: OF; Homer Glen, ILL; Joliet JC
"Ricky can really, really run and really defend at three positions in the outfield. He's changed his body and the way that's going to translate to his offensive game is going to be exciting."
 
Peter Fusek: OF; Chicago, ILL; Milwaukee Area Technical College
"Peter is a physical specimen. Built like a linebacker but runs like a deer. All the physical tools are there and he seems to have had a clutch factor about him in his previous stops."
 
Jake Allgeyer: INF; Channahon, ILL; Spoon River CC
"Another junior college guy that put up some serious numbers. He's a true switch hitter that just flat out hit and produced runs at Spoon River."
 
Brian Erbe: INF; Dayton OHIO; Purdue Fort Wayne 
"Brian is an older mature guy that will bring a steady presence to infield. He will bring a level of versatility that is huge for any team."
 
J.R. Heavilin: UTIL; Hopedale, OHIO; Wheeling University 
"J.R. is another older graduate transfer that has been around the block. He's coming off an incredible year at wheeling where he hit over .400 with 24 doubles."
 
Sammy Contacos: C; Irwin, PA; Wabash Valley CC
"Sammy is another physical specimen. He can hit it a mile and the tools behind the plate are advanced. We're looking for Sammy to polish up his game and be a real player behind the dish in 2023."
 
Kyree Alexander: UTIL; Chicago, ILL; Thornwood HS
"We're excited to get Kyree to campus and see what he's all about. He can play multiple positions on the field and he really handles the bat well."
 
Gage Wolfe: INF; Bloomington, ILL; Bloomington HS
"Gage is that type of player that plays the game very hard. Has a high baseball IQ and is a great teammate. We're excited to have his presence in our program."
 
Steven Walsh: C/1B; Brownsburg, IND; Brownsburg HS
"Another big physical guy that has a chance to develop into some power. We'll see where his best fit is defensively and let him do his thing in the box."
 
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