SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga baseball head coach Mark Machtolf announced the addition of six transfers and two incoming freshmen to the Bulldogs' squad this fall, bringing GU's total newcomers to 16.
The final piece of Machtolf's incoming class is highlighted by a pair of transfers — Jeff Nelson (NWAC) and Brian Kalmer (NJCAA D-I) — who were junior college players of the year, and another (Ty Buckner) who was a starting pitcher in two NCAA Regionals at Missouri State. They'll look to be immediate contributors to a Bulldogs squad that is coming off its second consecutive WCC title and NCAA Tournament berth and sixth full 30-win season in a row.
"We're excited to welcome these young men to Gonzaga," Macholf said. "We expect them to make great impacts on the field, in the classroom, and in the Spokane community. Each of them brings an important skill set to help us compete for the 2023 WCC title!"
Tommy Eisenstat - College of San Mateo
3B/1B | Menlo Park, Calif. | Menlo Atherton HS \ College of San Mateo
At Menlo Atherton, Eisenstat was the Bay Area Offensive Player of the Year his senior year after hitting .506 with 8 home runs, 15 doubles, and 42 RBI's in 27 games. His freshman year at College of San Mateo, he continued to produce at the plate, hitting .331 with 3 home runs, 34 RBI's and 32 runs in 39 games while making the honor roll for both semesters.
"I find GU very exciting because of its sense of community within the baseball team and the school as a whole," Eisenstat said. "The baseball team has also been a top program in the country the last few years and I'm really excited to be a part of it. I chose GU because it's a great school with an unbelievable baseball program."
Hank Dunn
OF | Eureka, Mont. | Lincoln County High School \ Yakima Valley College
Dunn joins the Bulldogs after two years at Yakima Valley, where he was an ABCA Pacific Division First Team All-American after batting .400 last season as well as All-NWAC East Region and Gold Glove. At Lincoln County HS, Dunn was also a three-time Montana high school state champion in wrestling and football.
"The tradition and culture that GU provides to its players really excites me," Dunn said. "It has been my dream school since I was a kid."
Jeff Nelson
RHP | Happy Valley, Ore. | Clackamas High School \ Mt. Hood CC
Another Mt. Hood product gives the Zags an accomplished arm right away after a shutdown year in junior college. In 2022, Nelson was the NWAC Pitcher of the Year after tossing 38 straight scoreless frames at Mt. Hood, finishing the season with a 2.51 ERA and 39 K's over 14 appearances. Prior to his time at Mt. Hood, Nelson was a two-sport state champion in football and baseball at Clackamas, and punted for Oregon State Football. He's also the nephew of Gonzaga Soccer All-American Jeff McAllister.
"I'm excited about the baseball program with a winning tradition and an incredible coaching staff and I love the Spokane community," Nelson said. "I chose GU because it will provide me the best opportunity to succeed as a student and a baseball player."
Brian Kalmer
3B/1B | Chandler, Ariz | Corona Del Sol High School \ Wabash Valley
The reigning NJCAA D1 National Player of the Year, Kalmer batted .421 in 2022 with Wabash Valley, hitting 20 homers, scoring 75 runs and driving in 109 more while finishing the season first in NJCAA D-I in hits and RBI. Kalmer helped lead Wabash Valley to a Region 24 title, Midwest District title, and a fourth-place finish at the 2022 NJCAA Division I Baseball World Series. In five games in Grand Junction, Kalmer batted .348 with three home runs and eight RBI.
"What excites me most about Gonzaga is the opportunity of growth on and off the field," Kalmer said,. "To further develop my walk with Christ, degree, game, and as a man. The Gonzaga culture is something I really wanted to become a part of and represent!
Ty Buckner
RHP | St. Louis, Miss. | Ladue Horton Watkins High School \ Missouri State University
Buckner joins the Bulldogs as a grad transfer after a successful return from tommy john surgery in 2022, pitching 16.1 frames with a 1.10 ERA and 14 K, holding opponents scoreless in his first seven appearances of the year and starting for the Bulldogs in the 2022 Stillwater Regional. In 2018, Buckner was a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American and started in the Oxford Regional before spending the summer pitching in the Cape Cod League. During his time at MSU, Buckner made the Athletic Director's Honor roll four times and won the MCV Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award in 2020.
"I am most excited about joining the great culture at GU and continuing the successful winning tradition," Buckner said. "I chose GU to continue my college career at a superior university with a great coaching staff."
Donovan Ratfield
C | Sparks, Nev. | Earl Wooster High School \ College of Marin
A three-sport athlete at Earl Wooster High, Ratfield was a two-time varsity football and baseball MVP, picking up All-State honors for both. At Marin College, Ratfield was a 1st Team All-Bay Valley Conference selection in 2022.
I really like the coaching staff and the culture that has been built up in the program," Ratfield said. "I'm excited to get a chance to be a part of a team competing for a championship."
Kyle Memarian
SS | Vancouver, Wash. | Skyview HS
An in-state product by way of Skyview, Memarian was a three-year varsity starter and two-time First Team all-league selection at shortstop as well as a Golden Glove and Scholar Athlete Award winner.
"I'm excited to meet new people from all over the country and play with some high level talent. I chose GU because the atmosphere and culture at GU seems amazing.
Everett Swaim
RHP | Richmond, British Columbia, Canada | AR MacNeill Secondary
Swaim was one of the top two-way prospects in British Columbia his senior year, leading the province in batting average and posting the second-best ERA while making honor roll through all four years of high school.
"I'm excited to make new relationships with teammates, students, and coaches, and work to get a lot better at baseball," Swaim said. "I love the atmosphere, the location, the coaches, and of course the winning culture helps."
