SALEM, Ore. – Corban University head baseball coach Derek Legg announced the first portion of his 2018 recruiting class on Monday afternoon, listing 12 incoming freshman who are set to join the Navy and Gold in the upcoming spring campaign.

Now entering his second year as the head coach of Corban baseball, Legg will seek to build upon a strong opening season at the helm of the Warriors. Last year, the Navy and Gold fell just one game short of making a trip to the NAIA National Tournament, finishing the season with a 28-26 record, two wins short of the program-record. The Warriors set multiple individual and team records in an impressive 2018 season, but will look to reach new heights as the squad approaches 2019.

"This truly is our first full recruiting class, and I couldn't be happier with the job Caleb Virtue and the rest of the staff did," said Legg. "The depth and ability of our freshman recruits make this group of freshman one of the best Corban has seen in a long time. You will see many of these freshmen faces having the opportunity to make an impact, not only this year, but also in years to come."

Zack Simon – 6'1" – RHP/INF – Centennial HS – Las Vegas, Nev.

Simon brings experience and athleticism on the mound and in the field to the Navy and Gold. Hailing from Las Vegas, Nev., Simon joins the Warriors after a successful career as a two-way player for Centennial HS. An All-State and All-Region pitcher, and an All-Region outfielder, Simon hopes to make an immediate in the Corban lineup and rotation.

Simon plans on majoring in business while at Corban. 

Ryan Hall – 6'1" – OF – Santiam Christian HS – Albany, Ore.

Hall hopes to make an impact for the Navy and Gold with his versatility, bringing two-way talent to the Warrior squad. Hailing from nearby Albany, Ore., Hall was a standout pitcher and outfielder for Santiam Christian HS, where he racked up All-Conference Honorable Mention honors during his freshman and sophomore seasons, First-Team All-Conference plaudits following his junior year, and First-Team All-State recognition after his senior campaign.

Hall intends to major in history during his time at Corban. 

Michael Bennett – 6'0" – RHP/INF – Madison HS – Portland, Ore.

Bennett, hailing from Portland, Ore., comes to the Warriors after a successful multi-sport athletic career at Madison HS. While competing on the diamond there, Bennett earned All-Conference plaudits on the mound twice, as well as First-Team All-Infield honors three times. Bennett hopes to break into both the Warrior lineup and rotation in 2019.

Bennett is set to major in criminal justice while attending Corban.  

Jaren Childs – 6'2" – RHP – Robert Service HS – Anchorage, Alaska

Childs is one of two Corban baseball recruits to hail from Anchorage, Alaska, joining the Warriors after a decorated career at Robert Service HS. A two-time All-State pitcher, a two-time All-Region pitcher, and a two-time All-State utility player, Childs will seek to contribute on the mound for the Corban pitching staff.

Childs is planning on majoring in exercise science while attending Corban.

Jimmy McGovern – 6'4" – RHP – Grace Christian HS – Anchorage, Alaska

McGovern also comes to Salem from Anchorage, Alaska, where he competed at Grace Christian HS. During his time there, he received First-Team All-Conference honors as a pitcher during his high school season, while also accruing First-Team All-State plaudits during his legion season.

McGovern is set to major in exercise science while attending Corban.

Korbin Cryer – 6'1" – C – Jerome HS – Jerome, Idaho

Cryer joins the Warriors after serving as a standout three-sport athlete at Jerome HS in southern Idaho. While Cryer played baseball, football, and basketball for the Tigers, he was particularly exceptional on the diamond, garnering All-Conference honors during both his junior and senior seasons.

Cryer intends to major in agricultural business during his time at Corban.

Alex Hakes – 5'11" – RHP – Valley Center HS – Valley Center, Calif.

Hakes comes to Corban after playing high school ball in southern California at Valley Center HS, near San Diego. A captain on his team, Hakes received 2018 Valley Center HS Pitcher of the Year plaudits, while also collecting San Diego Union Tribune Scholar-Athlete honors three time during his high school career.

Hakes plans on majoring in exercise science at Corban.

Jack Ossenkop – 5'8" – INF – La Center HS – La Center, Wash.

Ossenkop, originally hailing from La Center, Wash., joins the Warriors after an accomplished high school career. A First-Team All-League honoree for three consecutive seasons, and an All-State award-winner in 2018, Ossenkop brings versatility to the Navy and Gold, having experience in multiple infield positions.

Ossenkop intends to major in psychology during his time at Corban.

Drew Scherrer – 6'3" – RHP – Bigfork, Mont.

Scherrer, coming to Corban from Bigfork, Mont., brings an impressive résumé to the Navy and Gold. A highly successful pitcher at the AA level for his American Legion squad, Scherrer led the entire state of Montana with his 1.99 ERA during his senior campaign, while also collecting All-State honors for his exceptional season.

Scherrer is planning on majoring in criminal justice while at Corban.

Kyle Veldman – 6'0" – RHP – Nooksack Valley HS – Everson, Wash.

Veldman comes to Corban after a successful multi-sport athletic career in high school. A standout member of the Nooksack Valley HS baseball, basketball, and football teams, Veldman was an accomplished footballer for his high school program, while also serving as a captain for the school's baseball team. Veldman plans to make a difference for the Navy and Gold with his leadership, toughness, and athleticism.

Veldman is set to major in leadership and management while attending Corban.

Dyson Scott – 5'9" – RHP – Caldwell HS – Caldwell, Idaho

Scott comes to the Warrior squad following an impressive career at Caldwell HS in Caldwell, Idaho. In his junior and senior seasons there, Scott collected All-Conference plaudits and All-Conference Academic honors twice, while also representing his school at the 2018 All-State game.

Ben Aguilera – 5'9" – RHP – Vista HS – Vista, Calif.

Aguilera joins the Warriors as a right-handed pitcher, originally hailing from Vista, Calif.  Aguilera competed at Vista HS as a member of the baseball team for four years, where he earned the San Diego Union Tribute Student-Athlete award for his performance on the field and in the classroom.

Aguilera intends to major in criminal justice during his time at Corban.

The new Warrior freshman will join a strong core of returners, coming alongside a number of talented transfers as the team seeks to climb atop the NAIA West.

The rest of Corban baseball's talented set of additions will be released in the coming days, outlining the junior college and four-year college transfers who will be joining the Warrior squad.

Follow Corban Athletics:
Facebook l Twitter  l Instagram l Snapchat l  YouTube l  Email

Download our App: iOS (iPhone/iPad) l Android