May 23, 2007

Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific baseball team added two more recruits for the 2008 season as Pacific head coach Ed Sprague announced the signing of Larry Holscher amd Brian Martin .

The addition of Holscher and Martin bring the Tigers' class of 2008 signees to 10 players. Holscher and Martin join Thomas Berolzheimer, J.B. Brown, Ryan Fischer, Cory Kohnke, Kerry Jenkins, Nick Longmire, Tyler Waldron and Beck Wheeler who previously signed national letters of intent.

A 6-0, 180-pound right-hander from Redding, Calif., Holscher will join Pacific as a junior next season from Fresno City College. Holscher has appeared in 20 games for the Rams, posting a 6-1 record in 61.2 innings. He has started six games, earned three saves and has a stellar 1.46 ERA. The most impressive stat for Holscher is that he has recorded 64 strikeouts and just 11 walks during the 2007 season. An All-Central Valley Conference Team selection, Holscher has held opponents to just a .196 batting average.

"Larry is a very polished pitcher that throws three pitches at any time and has outstanding command," said Sprague. "He will give us some stability in our staff and is a proven winner at one of the top junior college programs in the state."

Martin comes to the Tigers from Livermore High School in Livermore, Calif. Martin led the Cowboys this season with a .553 batting average, including 42 hits, 30 runs scored, 11 doubles, five home runs and 27 RBI. Brian finished the 2007 season with a .895 slugging percentage in 25 games. The MVP of the East Bay League, Martin led Livermore HS to the North Coast Section Playoff, which began on Tuesday, May 22.

"Brian is a pure left-handed hitter that has a good feel from the strike zone. He has alley type power that projects well at Klein Family Field," said Sprague. "You came across players that are just pure hitters that will get their hits, we feel Martin has a chance to be a really good Division I hitter."

Berolzheimer, a local product out of Stockton, is a 6'1 right-handed pitcher from St. Mary's High School. Over the past two seasons, Berolzheimer has been a part of a Rams team that has posted a 40-20 overall record and an impressive 25-5 league mark, including going 16-2 in 2003-04. In addition to his pitching, Berolzheimer has spent time at second and third base for St. Mary's.

"Berolzeimer is a strong minded pitcher that has just scratched the surface of his ability," stated Sprague. "He has always been an all-around athlete and we feel he has found his niche on the mound. As he continues to grow and gain strength along with continuing to improve his grasp of the game, he will be a big contributor in years to come."

A left-handed hitting infielder from Brazosport High School in Freeport, Texas, Brown gives the Tigers a solid hitter for the top of the lineup. As a junior, Brown hit .478 with 13 doubles, two triples, and one homerun with 24 RBI's, earning him a selection to the All-Greater Houston First Team. In addition, he garnered First Team All-District and All-County honors while being named the All-County Most Valuable Player. As an all-around athlete, Brown also earned the Charley Ackley Memorial Award as the best two sport athlete as he has excelled in both football and baseball. This past summer, Brown was a member of the Texas Ranger Area Code Team.

"J.B. has a personality that is molded for the game," said Sprague. "He is a gifted left-handed hitter that has a chance to hit right away. Getting into Texas and getting a player the caliber of J.B. is big for us. We feel it will start a trend where we can get into that state and pull out some top players. We look forward to getting him on campus and for him to contribute right away."

Fischer, another local product out of Lodi, Calif., is a 6'1 right-hander out of Lodi High School. A pitcher at Lodi, Fischer finished his junior season with a 3-3 record and a 2.68 ERA. He struck out 45 batters in 31 innings of work. This past summer, Fischer played for the Milwaukee Brewer Area Code Team and has been a member of the Los Angeles Dodger Elite Team and the Colorado Rockies Scout Team.

"Ryan is one of the top recruits in the nation and we are happy to keep one of the area's best local talents at home," said Sprague. "He throws 88-90 mph with an exceptional slider. He will compete for one of the weekend spots in the rotation as a freshman. He is an exciting addition to our program."

Jenkins is a utility player that can play both in the infield or the outfield. He currently leads West High School with a .424 batting average, 19 RBI, 28 hits, four triples, one home run and a .621 slugging percentage in just 21 games.

"Kerry is a physical ballplayer that has a chance to become a legitimate power hitter that can play a corner infield position and the outfield," said Sprague. "Getting the best local talent is a big priority for us and Jenkins will fulfill our needs with his versatility."

A 6'4 right-handed pitcher out of Junipero Serra High School in Orange County, Calif., Kohnke will add yet another arm to the Tigers stable of young pitchers in 2007-08. Kohnke finished his junior season with a 5-4 record and a 2.07 ERA, throwing five complete games last season. He posted 65 strikeouts in 54 innings of work as a junior.

"Kohnke is long and loose with a great arm," stated Sprague. "We will look for him to have the ability to dominate hitters as he grows into his body and his velocity develops more."

Another power bat, Longmire , comes to Pacific from one of the top teams in the San Diego County, Grossmont High School in La Mesa, Calif. An outfielder, Longmire leads the Foothillers with a .507 batting average, 35 hits, 11 home runs, 10 stolen bases, 23 RBI and a 1.058 slugging percentage in 22 games. In addition, Longmire has drawn nine walks and struck out only eight times. Longmire's 11 home runs not only leads his team, but also three more than any other player in the San Diego section. Grossmont has a history of providing the Tigers with power hitters as it is the same school that produced current Tiger, Justin Baum.

"We feel Longmire is one of the best position players in San Diego County," said Sprague. "He is a five-tool talent that can change the complexion of a game in a number of ways. He has the speed and power combination that projects into an outstanding player."

Waldron is a 6'2 right-handed pitcher from Golden Sierra High School in Garden Valley, Calif. Last season, Waldron led Golden Sierra to a Division IV runner-up finish in the Sac-San Joaquin Section. As a junior he finished with a 7-2 record with a 1.13 ERA. He struck out 110 hitters in just 56 innings of work. At the plate, Waldron hit .537 with two home runs and 22 RBI. This summer he was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers Area Code Team.

"Waldron is a very competitive kid that we feel has the makings of a front line Division I starter that can pitch in the Big West Conference right away," said Sprague. "He really came on this past summer on the mound and his attitude and make-up will allow him to compete for us right away."

Wheeler is a three-year letterwinner at St. Augustine High School in San Diego, Calif. Over his last seven games, he is 13-for-23 (.565) with three doubles, two triples and 12 RBI.

"Wheeler is an infielder that has just scratched the surfacr of his ability. He has good hands and an above average throwing arm. We look for him to continue to mature an he has a chance to be an impact player for us," concluded Sprague.