Skip To Main Content

Gonzaga University Athletics

Head coach Mark Machtolf

Baseball

Baseball Signs Large Class to NLIs

Nov. 13, 2015

SPOKANE, Wash.--The Gonzaga University baseball team inked eight recruits to National Letters of Intent recently, filling out the squad's numbers for the 2017 season.

"I'm extremely excited about this group of student-athletes as this class will allow us to continue to compete at the highest level nationally," said head coach Mark Machtolf. "We filled all of our needs with some of the best young players in the country. The make-up of this group on and off the field is off the charts and will immediately mesh with our current Zags. Their individual abilities will be showcased on the diamond, in the classroom and throughout the Spokane community during their promising careers at Gonzaga."

Below are the eight players that have signed and committed to playing baseball at Gonzaga:

Taylor Borchers | Pitcher/Infielder | Appleton, Wisc.


Borchers has been a strong performer in both high school ball and club ball. In club, he was named Perfect Game Underclass High Honorable Mention in 2015, and just last month he earned a spot on the Perfect Game Kernels All-Tournament Team as a pitcher, one year after his top-notch hitting was recognized at PG's World Underclass Championship. He's been recognized as an All-Conference player twice in high school ball, earning First Team honors at second base this past season and Second Team honors at second as a sophomore.

Why Borchers chose Gonzaga: "From the moment I set foot on Gonzaga's campus I knew there was something special happening there. Not only was it a prestigious academic organization but all the people I met were so incredibly nice. After spending the weekend there I figured out that they were part of something much bigger than each individual person. They were part of a family and I knew at that time that I wanted to be a part of that family. Go Zags!!!"

Coach Machtolf on Borchers: "We look for Taylor to contribute on the mound and in the infield for the Zags in 2017. He projects as a power arm and power bat that could be inserted into the lineup very early in his career. Taylor has a contagious personality and will help lead the Zags as soon as he steps on campus."

Haydan Hastings | Catcher | Vista, Calif.

Hastings is a top-notch defensive catcher out of Vista, Calif. He was named Defensive Player of the Year last season and First Team All-Conference as well after catching 14 of 20 attempted base stealers. At the plate, he hit .382, and Hastings is also a weapon on the base paths after stealing 14 bases. In addition to his high school experience, Hastings has seen plenty of success in club ball, playing for Angels Elite and earning a spot in the 2015 Jesse Flores Memorial All-Star Game.

Why Hastings chose Gonzaga: "Going into the recruiting process, I was looking for three things in a school: challenging academics, a beautiful campus, and an up-and-coming baseball program. Gonzaga fulfills all three of these categories as well as a positive, influential coaching staff that will help take my game to the next level."

Coach Machtolf on Hastings: "Haydan is one of the top catchers in the state of California and is ready right now to handle our pitching staff behind the plate. He is a dynamic athlete who's skills grade out to an elite level across the board."

Troy Johnston | Outfielder | Puyallup, Wash.

Johnston, a three-time All-League honoree, has been the team captain and MVP at Rogers High School for each of the last two years. He hit .500 as a sophomore and .485 as a junior, both the highest batting averages in the South Puget Sound League South division. In 2015, he was recognized by the Tacoma News Tribune and King 5 as well as earning a spot on the Washington State Baseball Coaches' Association All-State team. In club ball, he played in the Area Code Games, and he also picked up All-Tournament Team honors at the Perfect Game 2015 MLK Tournament in Phoenix.

Why Johnston chose Gonzaga: "Gonzaga just felt like home. The integrity of the coaching staff and the environment of the school made my decision easy. I knew it was the right place for me from the start."

Coach Machtolf on Johnston: "Troy is one of the best complete hitters in the Northwest. Troy will hit for a high average and is continuing to really develop into a power bat. He is a very welcomed addition to our outfield."

Keaton Knueppel | Pitcher | Verona, Wisc.

Knueppel is already of the top pitchers in the history of Verona Area High School. The two-time All-Conference honoree has already set or tied records for most complete games and wins in a single season, and his junior year tallies of a 1.26 ERA and 78 strikeouts are the second-most in a single season at Verona. Also as a junior, Knueppel picked up Academic All-State honors after a strong year on the mound and in the classroom. The lefty has pitched and won two Regional Final contests and two Section semifinal games for the school as well. Outside of high school ball, he's earned spots on three All-Tournament teams in recent years.

Why Knueppel chose Gonzaga: "I wanted to choose a place that has tremendous success on the field and in the classroom and Gonzaga provides that perfectly for me."

Coach Machtolf on Knueppel: "Keaton projects to be a top LHP in the West Coast Conference in his career at Gonzaga. He has an outstanding breaking ball that will compliment an above average fastball. Looking forward to what Keaton will bring to our pitching staff."

Mac Lardner | Pitcher | Templeton, Calif.

Lardner has been a standout pitcher in his three years at Templeton High. He's tallied over 200 innings pitched on the varsity squad, posting a 22-8 record and 1.47 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.19 (223 Ks to 43 BBs). He's twice been named First Team All-State, and he's received national attention as a Max Preps First Team All-American and 2015 Preseason Under Armour All-American. Ladner also participated in the Team USA Tournament of Stars in June.

Why Lardner chose Gonzaga: "I really felt at home on my visit to Gonzaga. I love the positive energy on campus and in downtown Spokane, it has that college feel I was really looking for. The entire coaching staff and the players welcomed me with open arms and made me feel right at home. It was the easiest decision of my life to become a Gonzaga Bulldog. Go Zags!!"

Coach Machtolf on Lardner: "Mac is exactly what we look for in a pitcher, and he makes pitches and has an elite changeup. His numbers are very good and he has competed at the highest levels across the country during his high school career."

Casey Legumina | Pitcher | Chandler, Ariz.

Legumina has been a standout on the Basha High School baseball team for the last three years. He went 9-0 on the freshman squad in 2013, posting a 1.2 ERA and earning team MVP honors. He made the varsity team a year later and led Basha in ERA, innings pitched, and strikeouts. As a junior this past season, Legumina posted a 5-3 record and set a school record with 74 strikeouts. He again led the team in innings pitched, and also was a force at the plate, topping the squad in home runs, RBIs, on base percentage, and extra base hits. He was rewarded with an All-District honor. Outside of high school ball, Legumina has made the Area Code team for Southern California and Arizona in each of the last two seasons.

Why Legumina chose Gonzaga: "My decision to play baseball at Gonzaga was easy. On my first visit in September 2014, I loved the community and people I met. I knew that I had a chance to be a part of something special. Coach Mac and Coach Evans were big part of my decision. They made me feel good and I knew immediately I wanted to become a Zag."

Coach Machtolf on Legumina: "Casey is arguably the top arm out of Arizona and proven to be one of the elite arms on the West Coast. His ability to pitch with three pitches will give him a chance to anchor our pitching staff early in his career."

Parker Price | Infielder | Boise, Idaho

Price is the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year for Idaho after leading Timberline High School to the 2015 state championship, tossing seven scoreless innings and ripping the game-winning hit. Also as a junior, he earned All-State honors at shortstop from USA Today, and he was an All-Conference Infielder for in both 2014 and 2015. Price is also used to winning championships as he helped Timberline win the 2013 state championship and his club team, American Legion, win the 2014 Idaho title.

Why Price chose Gonzaga: "I want to win in Omaha! Gonzaga is close to my hometown, and the facilities and academics are first-class."

Coach Machtolf on Price: "Parker is as good as a competitor on the diamond as we have seen in a long time. He is an outstanding infielder with the ability to be a frontline shortstop at this level. His work ethic and energy is infectious and we're excited to have him in our program."

Gunnar Schubert | Infielder | Auburn, Wash.

Schubert comes to Gonzaga from Pierce College, where he was an All-NWACC Golden Glove Shortstop for the Raiders. As a freshman in 2015, he hit .299 while leading the squad with 38 runs scored and tied for the lead with 35 RBIs, posting a .426 on-base percentage along the way. In high school he was a three-year letter winner at Thomas Jefferson, winning the team's Golden Glove award in 2014 and Most Improved Player in 2013. Also, during summer ball, he helped the Rockcreek under-18 team win the Seattle Elite league championship.

Why Schubert chose Gonzaga: "It has always been a dream of mine to play division one baseball locally, but most importantly find a place that would be a good fit. Not only does Gonzaga offer me a fantastic education to better my future, it also opens many opportunities that will help me become a role model for my community. I am more than excited to be a part of the Zag culture and continue my education along with making lifelong friends while I'm there. I am very thankful for having the opportunity to contribute to the best of my abilities and hope to make a positive impact. Go Zags!!!"

Coach Machtolf on Gonzaga: "Gunnar is a very good physical defender who is relentless at the plate. Gunnar will look to compete for the starting shortstop position the first day he sets foot on campus."

For up-to-the-minute information on Gonzaga baseball, stay tuned to GoZags.com or follow the team on Twitter at @GonzagaBaseball and Facebook at /GonzagaBaseball.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Gunnar Schubert

#6 Gunnar Schubert

INF
5' 11"
Senior
Troy Johnston

#21 Troy Johnston

OF
5' 11"
Sophomore
Haydan Hastings

#27 Haydan Hastings

C
6' 0"
Sophomore
Keaton Knueppel

#29 Keaton Knueppel

LHP
6' 1"
Sophomore
Casey Legumina

#35 Casey Legumina

RHP
6' 0"
Sophomore
Mac Lardner

#44 Mac Lardner

LHP
6' 4"
Sophomore
Parker Price

#9 Parker Price

INF
5' 11"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Gunnar Schubert

#6 Gunnar Schubert

5' 11"
Senior
INF
Troy Johnston

#21 Troy Johnston

5' 11"
Sophomore
OF
Haydan Hastings

#27 Haydan Hastings

6' 0"
Sophomore
C
Keaton Knueppel

#29 Keaton Knueppel

6' 1"
Sophomore
LHP
Casey Legumina

#35 Casey Legumina

6' 0"
Sophomore
RHP
Mac Lardner

#44 Mac Lardner

6' 4"
Sophomore
LHP
Parker Price

#9 Parker Price

5' 11"
Freshman
INF