Lee baseball coach Mark Brew wraps up this year’s class with eight new players
Veteran Lee baseball skipper Mark Brew has announced the late-summer signings of eight new Flames to join the club for the 2018 season.
Brew has added six transfers and two freshman to the squad that finished last season at 27-23. Three pitchers will join staff in University of Tennessee transfer senior Eric Freeman, junior Hill College (Texas) transfer Patrick Morrow and St. John's River junior-transfer David Pattinson.
One outfielder, two infielders and two catchers round out the late signees.
Kurt Ornowski (junior, Chattahoocee Valley Community College) is an outfielder with knack for getting on base while Junior Fernando Ortiz is a slick-fielding middle infielder from Wabash Valley College (Ill.). Freshman first baseman Blake Howard will stay close to home as he makes the short trip up to Cleveland after a decorated high school career at Silverdale Baptist Academy in Chattanooga.
Replacing NCAA South All-Region catcher Nate Wierzgac is junior power-hitting backstop Chase Gadau from Kankakee Community College. Rounding out the class is freshman Jared Lutsic who will provide depth behind the plate after an award-filled senior year at Grosse Ile Township (Mich.).
"We are really excited about this 2017-18 recruiting class. These are all great young men with a commitment to excellence on the field and in the classroom," said Brew. "They complement our returning roster and fill the needs that were created through graduation from last year's team. We are looking forward to each one's development as we look to tackle a very tough non-conference and conference schedule in 2018."
Eric Freeman – Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown - Knoxville, Tenn.
Previous school - University of Tennessee
6'5" 215 Bats – R Throws – R
Awards:
SEC Community Service team: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
CoSIDA Academic All-District: 2016-2017
Brad Davis SEC Community Service Leader of the Year: 2016-2017
SEC All Academic: 2014-2017
2017 Stats:
ERA: 5.55 W-L (1-0) 22.2 IP 13 strikeouts
2016 Stats:
ERA 3.0 W-L (3-1) 54 IP 41 strikeouts
Freeman said – "I am excited and honored to be able to continue to play the game of baseball at a university like Lee. I have always loved this game and it has been a life-long dream of mine to play with my brother. This next year will be an exciting one and I look forward to taking on the challenges and triumphs that are ahead with my new family."
Coach Buckner (Farragut HS) said – "Eric Freeman is an extremely motivated young man who has been successful at everything he has ever done. Eric is an excellent teammate and will be an asset to any team. He will compete with everything he has. One of my favorite young men I have ever coached in my career."
Coach Brew said – "Eric gives us a top-notch, front line arm to compete in the rugged GSC. He is a seasoned SEC pitcher and will be entering Lee as a graduate transfer. He will be a huge asset for our team both on and off the field."
Chase Gadau – Catcher
Hometown - Saint Joseph, Ill.
Previous School - Kankakee Community College (Kankakee, IL)
6'0" 215 – Bats – R Throws – R
Awards:
NJCAA All Region, World Series All-Tournament Team, Academic Honor Roll
2017 Stats:
.392 AVG, .508 OBP, .637 SLG, 16 2B, 8 HR, 76 RBI
Gadau said – "I chose Lee because it is a program with a great winning tradition as well as an amazing campus. I am excited about playing in a very competitive conference, and becoming as good both academically and athletically as I can be."
Coach Brew said – "Chase led his team to the NJCAA National Championship hitting in the heart of the line-up. He will be a huge impact to the middle of our line-up. He has the ability to be a game changer every time he steps to the plate. Defensively, he is a great receiver, solid thrower, and very good on-field leader. He has a chance to be a huge impact offensively and defensively for the 2018 Flames."
Kurt Ornowski – Outfielder
Hometown - Fortson, Ga.
Previous School - Chattahoochee Valley Community College (Phenix City, AL)
6'0 190 Bats – L Throws – R
2017 Stats:
.305 AVG, . 411 OBP, .379 SLG, 23 RBI
Ornowski said – "I'm excited to be able to have the opportunity to represent Lee as a member of the baseball team and in the classroom."
Coach Brew said – "Kurt gives us a much needed left-handed bat for the line-up. He has excellent plate discipline as evidenced by his high OBP and has some strength in his swing with occasional pop. He possesses very good bat control and can be an early or late line-up type hitter. He is a quality defender in the outfield and projects to be a corner outfielder. "
Fernando Ortiz – Shortstop/Second Baseman
Hometown - Comerio, Puerto Rico
Previous School - Wabash Valley College (IL)
5'10" 170 - Bats – R Throws – R
2017 Stats:
.386 AVG, 2 HR, 16 RBI
2016 Stats:
.297 AVG, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 15 SB
Ortiz said – "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I'm excited for a new season and new goals!"
Coach Christian Frias (Wabash Valley Asst Coach) said – "Fernie is what you call a "baseball player." His ability to play the game the right way and positive attitude all the time makes him play at a high level. He's the type of player that can get it done so many different ways, from hitting, baserunning, playing defense, and to the short game. Fernie also brings a contagious energy and smile that can give a team a boost. As a coach those are the type of kids you want to have on your team and not worry about anything."
Coach Brew said – "Fernando is a big-time defensive player who can play multiple positions in the infield. He had a great offensive year in 2017, but injuries limited his at-bats. He will bring a high level of energy and defensive ability to our infield. Additionally, he will provide another quality hitter to our line-up. He will be an exciting player to watch in 2018."
Patrick Morrow – Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown - Robinson, Texas
Previous School - Hill College (TX)
6'0" 195 – Bats – R Throws – R
2017 stats:
3-1, 3.86 ERA, 41 Ks, 42.1 IP
Morrow said – "I am very excited to be able to extend my baseball career, and I'm even more excited to put on the Lee uniform and pitch."
Brew said – "Patrick gives us another quality arm capable of being a rotation guy. He has a mid to upper 80's fastball with heavy sink and good off-speed. He pitched in one of the most competitive junior college leagues in the country in Texas and we are looking for him to bring the toughness and experience he has to our staff in 2018."
David Pattinson – Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Previous School – USC-Lancaster (freshman year) and St. John's River (sophomore year)
6'0" 210 Bats – R Throws – R
Awards:
2016 Fireman of the Year Region 10/lead the Region in saves
2017 stats:
12 APP, 15 IP, 20 strikeouts
Pattinson said – "I'm so thankful to have been given the opportunity to continue my education and baseball career at Lee University. The university itself presents so many special opportunities and I can't wait to be a part of a first class organization. I am ready to get to work, compete and win a championship."
Coach Brew said – "David has the potential to be a back-end bullpen arm. He pitches in the 88-90 range and has ability to dial it up and go even higher. He has a firm slider that grades as a quality pitch. He has great competitiveness and will be called upon to secure some big outs for the Flames in 2018.
Blake Howard – First Baseman/Catcher
Hometown- Harrison, Tenn.
High School - Silverdale Baptist Academy
Summer Ball Team- Chattanooga Fury
6'2" 220 Bats – S Throws- R
Awards:
All-District 5A and Most School Spirit
2017 High School Stats:
.411 AVG, 6 2B, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 10/10 SB
Howard said – "I am blessed with the opportunity to play baseball at Lee University. I am looking forward to being around great coaches who will push me to be my best both on the field and in the classroom."
Coach Ange (Silverdale Baptist Academy and former Flames player) said – "Blake was a huge part of our successful 2017 season where SBA finished 21-6 including district 5A & Region 3A championships. Blake is one of the hardest workers to come through the Silverdale Baptist Academy program. His hard-work and abilities helped our program become one of the best in the Chattanooga area. I look forward to seeing Blake take those same qualities to a great program like Lee University where he can continue to make an impact both academically, athletically and for Christ's Kingdom."
Coach Brew said – "Blake is a physical freshman whose bat projects very well. As a switch hitter, he has great strength at contact and should develop into a high slugging percentage player in his Lee career. He is a first baseman by trade, but will help behind the plate also in 2018."
Jared Lutsic – Catcher
Hometown - Grosse Ile, Mich.
High School - Grosse Ile TWP
Summer Ball Team - Detroit RBI
5'9 200 Bats – R Throws – R
Awards:
3 years National Honor Society, 4 years Student Council, Graduated with High Honors, All-Conference Scholar Athlete, All-Conference Honorable Mention
2017 Stats:
.390AVG, 6 2B, 1 3B, and 1 HR
Lutsic said – "I am really looking forward to the ability to do baseball activities outside in January, as opposed to Michigan. I'm excited about playing NCAA Division II baseball in the Gulf South Conference, and to prove myself daily to gain opportunities to play."
Coach Brew said – "Jared provides us additional depth behind the plate. He is a physical freshman who plays the game with great energy and effort. He has a chance to develop into an offensive catcher. I am looking forward to his development throughout his career at Lee."