Bearkats sign eight for incoming class

HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston head Coach Jay Sirianni and the Sam Houston Baseball coaching staff are excited to announce the signing of eight student-athletes from the high school ranks in the 2023 recruiting class.

"I can't say enough about the job the entire staff did in assembling this class," Sirianni said upon the release of the class. "This was a total team effort, as is everything we do here at Sam Houston. We were able to identify guys that fit our brand of baseball. All of these young men will represent the values and tradition of Sam Houston both on and off the field and each one of these newcomers brings a since of toughness and competitiveness that is a staple of our program. Every signee fills a specific need, and we are excited about each one of them".

Scouting Report on Incoming Class provided by Recruiting Coordinator Fuller Smith:

Ryan Peterson • RHP • 6-3 • 190 • R/R • Shiner, Texas / Shiner HS
Peterson comes to the Kats from Shiner where he has been a 4-sport standout throughout his high school career, receiving accolades in numerous sports. During Peterson's decorated athletic career at Shiner, he has lettered in golf (regional qualifier), football (All District, All State), basketball, and baseball. His junior year of baseball saw him named the District MVP, all-State tournament pitcher, first team all-state and the TSWA 2A Player of the Year while leading Daniel Boedeker's Shiner Comanches to the state semifinals.

Smith on Peterson: "We identified Ryan early in the recruiting process and one of the things we loved about him was his competitive spirit. He plays multiple sports and competes and wins year-round. We are excited he is joining the family and ready to see the next chapter in his storied athletic career."

We really took a Shine to this small-town righty with a winning pedigree ??

Pumped to have @21ryanpeterson joining the squad #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/ioTSomvT7C
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 9, 2022

Blake Brown • INF • 5-10 • 170 • R/R • Montgomery, Texas / Lake Creek HS
Smith considers Brown a throwback type of player who was identified early as he will be a 4-year varsity letterman for Jeremy Schramm at Lake Creek HS. Brown was a first team all-district choice in 2021 and played summer baseball for Twelve Baseball, where he was on the 2022 all-tournament team at the USA Baseball National Championships this past summer.

Smith on Brown: "Blake is an athletic infielder who can play anywhere on the field. He has strength and speed while bringing an edge to the park every day. His competitiveness was one of the first things we noticed when we saw him. He plays the game with a reckless aggression and we are excited to get him in the orange and black."

Y'all ready to meet some new Kats!?! ??

Let's get Signing Day started by welcoming @Blakebrownnnn from Montgomery (Lake Creek HS)!#EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/XfN55fButY
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 9, 2022

Noah Kendrick • RHP • 6-4 • 210 • R/R • Nederland, Texas / Nederland HS
Kendrick plays for Kyle Green at Nederland HS where he was chosen as academic all-district and all-district this past season as a 2-way standout. He also plays summer ball with the Beaumont Gladiators.

Smith on Kendrick: "There's a lot to like with Noah. He is a stellar student in the classroom on top of being a big, projectible arm who continues to improve every time we see him. We are excited to continue to watch his development on the mound and can't wait to get him here next fall."

We went into the Golden Triangle to get @NoahKendrick8, a big-time righty who is going to look good in Bearkat orange/black #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/UDIpo1VpL6
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 9, 2022

Brett Smajstrla • OF • 6-0 • 175 • R/R • Pearland, Texas / Pearland HS
Smajstrla is an athletic outfielder with a speed and strength combination that will impact the Bearkat offense immediately. He plays for David Rogers at Pearland HS where he was first team all-district last spring. He was also the District Offensive MVP, hitting .530 with 16 RBI and 14 stolen bases.

Smith on Smajstrla: "Brett brings a since of competitiveness and toughness that was evident watching him this spring and summer. He comes from an athletic background with many family members who have played sports in college and professionally. We are excited to have Brett on board and can't wait to watch his development over the next three to four years at Sam Houston."

We wanted impact players and found just that with @bsmajstrla from Pearland (Pearland HS) #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/yZLVyvwpmo
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 9, 2022

Braeden Brown • RHP • 6-3 • 190 • R/R • Sinton, Texas / Sinton HS
Brown is a 2-sport star from Sinton HS where he plays for Coach Adrian Alaniz. In football, he was an all-district quarterback in both 2020 and 2021. This past spring, he helped lead Sinton to the 4A state championship while collecting honors as first team all-district as a pitcher. As a freshman, Brown was ranked the top 4A pitcher in Texas in 2020. He followed that up by being named a first team all-state pitcher as a sophomore.

Smith on Brown: "Braeden has had an extremely decorated career on the diamond and gridiron. The one thing that stood out for us when we watched him was his love for competition and his ability to win. Winners win, and he has done a lot of that in his high school career. We are excited to see his growth over the next three to four years as he narrows his focus to the baseball diamond."

Winners win.

Bearkats like winners. @braeden_brown23 is a winner.

And now he's a Bearkat. #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/5zCHTbrVW4
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 9, 2022

Brock Rod • LHP • 5-11 • 170 • L/L • El Campo, Texas / El Campo HS
Rod is another 2-sport standout who plays football and baseball for the Ricebirds out of El Campo. As a junior, Brock was first team all-district, first team all-area as well as being academic all-district in football and baseball. This past spring, Rod threw 49.2 innings while punching out 97 batters, which put him at No. 17 in the state 4A strikeouts list. Brock plays summer baseball for Marucci Elite out of Houston.

Smith on Rod: "We are excited about Brock and the growth we feel he will make over the next three to four years. He has a great arm running the fastball up to 90 from the left side with good secondary offerings. Rod's best years of baseball are ahead of him, and we are elated to have him donning the black and orange next fall.

Name a better high school mascot than a Ricebird. ????

We'll wait. ?

We're excited for @BrockRod34 to join the list of El Campo Ricebirds ?? Sam Houston Bearkats#EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/Qdev1RQpPn
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 9, 2022

Jace Martinez • INF • 6-0 • 170 • R/R • Mont Belvieu, Texas / Barbers Hill HS
Martinez is an extremely twitchy athlete that plays for David Denny at Barbers Hill HS. Jace is also another state champion, helping Barbers Hill to their first ever baseball title in 2021 while collecting first team all-state honors as an outfielder. In the 2022 spring season for Barbers Hill, he was named an first team all-district shortstop as well. In the summers he plays for Nico Moran at Five Star Performance out of Kilgore. Martinez checks in as the No. 59 player in the state of Texas according to Prep Baseball Report for the 2023 class.

Smith on Martinez: "We are excited to have Jace on board at Sam Houston. He is extremely athletic, which will allow him to play just about every position on the field. Martinez has speed and strength which will allow him to impact the game in multiple different ways. We can't wait for him to get here next fall."

A highly-rated athlete that can play all over the ??, having @martinez_jace27 on our side only makes us better all the way around #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/Y5WDchXUnv
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 9, 2022

Cade Daniell • LHP • 6-0 • 175 • L/L • Tomball, Texas / Tomball HS
Daniell is a crafty, 3-pitch mix lefthander who plays for Doug Rush at Tomball HS. He played summer ball with Premier Futures, coached by Jeremy Isenhour. A 2-year varsity letterman at Tomball HS, Daniell is expected to be a big piece for their success this upcoming spring.

Smith on Daniell: "Cade got on our radar early in his high school career and we have continued to follow him every year. When we have seen him, he has pounded the zone with three pitches, mixing speeds while keeping hitters off balance. We are excited to watch him continue to grow and mature into his frame over the next four years."

Excited to add this 3-pitch lefty to our group of signees ??

Let's welcome @cade_daniell to the Bearkat Family! #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/5GUyVOidzs
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 9, 2022

Bearkats sign eight for incoming class

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