Oct. 20, 2011

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The LMU baseball team has recorded a top-25 recruiting class according to Baseball America's annual evaluation of NCAA Division I baseball classes. The Lions came in at No. 23, marking the first top-25 class under head coach Jason Gill who is entering his fourth season in 2011-12. The class had previously been listed in the "Other Top Recruiting Classes" section of Collegiate Baseball's annual poll.

"We are extremely pleased that we have been recognized as having a Top-25 recruiting class in the nation," Gill said. "I have seen my fair-share of quality recruiting classes in my coaching career, and this one is right up there toward the top of the list. Our Recruiting Coordinator, Bryant Ward, has done an exceptional job of compiling a group of players who we feel will make an immediate impact for us. This recognition further solidifies that the future is bright for the LMU baseball program."

The 2011-12 class is composed of 12 players, including four junior college transfers and eight freshmen. Cullen Mahoney (South Mountain CC), Joey Boney (Cypress College), Scott Harkin (Diablo Valley College) and Justin Grijalva (Citrus College) all have experience playing at the collegiate level. Mahoney most recently won the batting title in the Northwoods League with a .347 average, 33 runs scored, seven doubles, five triples, four home runs and 29 RBI playing for the Thunder Bay Border Cats alongside teammate and senior-leader Alex Guthrie.

In addition to the junior college transfers, the class also boasts a pair of 2011 Major League draft picks in freshmen Sean Buckle (LHP/OF - Long Beach Wilson HS) and Kyle Raubinger (INF - Arroyo Grande HS). Raubinger was taken by the Baltimore Orioles in the 28th round, while Buckle was selected by the New York Mets in the 49th round. In addition to Buckle and Raubinger, Colin Welmon (RHP/OF - Foothill HS), who is considered by many to be the most talented of all the players in the class, is another freshman who could find time playing right away in the program.

Of the 12 players set to join the Lions this season, only one is a dedicated pitcher. Grijalva is slated to be used solely as a left-hander, but Brandon Horth (LHP/OF - Woodbridge HS), Buckle, and Welmon could all see time as two-way players this year and in the future for the Lions. Offensively, LMU loaded up on left-handed hitting, as seven of the 11 position players in the recruiting class take their at bats from that side. In addition, David Edwards (INF - Foothill HS) is a switch-hitter, adding yet another left-handed bat to the mix against right-handed pitchers.

LMU's Top-25 recruiting class has already taken to the field, as the Lions officially began practice yesterday. The 2012 season will open at home with a three-game series against UNLV beginning on February 17.

2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS
1. Vanderbilt
2. Texas
3. Southern Mississippi
4. North Carolina State
5. Mississippi
6. South Carolina
7. Oregon State
8. Virginia
9. Oregon
10. Texas Christian
11. Southern California
12. Louisville
13. Oklahoma
14. Mississippi State
15. Florida
16. Pepperdine
17. Central Florida
18. Arizona
19. Fresno State
20. North Carolina
21. Georgia
22. Arkansas
23. Loyola Marymount
24. Alabama
25. San Diego State