SALEM, Ore. – Corban University Head Baseball Coach Derek Legg has announced the six incoming freshmen that will be joining the Navy and Gold for the upcoming 2022 season. The dynamic group of additions should play a key role in the squad's quest for another historic season for the program.
Ryan Clay – INF – 5'9" – Central Valley HS – Spokane, Wash.
Hailing from Spokane, Wash. Clay joins his older brother Kyle on the roster this season. A steady defender at multiple positions, he figures to play a role for the Warriors right away. Clay had a successful career at Central Valley High School and played a key role on the Spokane Expos during the summer months. His versatility and offensive maturity will provide the Navy and Gold with much needed flexibility over the course of his career.
Clay plans to major in Pre-Med during his time at Corban.
Scott Artzer – C – 6'1" – Richland HS – Richland, Wash.
Artzer comes to the Warriors after an impressive career at Richland High School. Notably, in his freshman season, his team won a state championship. Artzer was also named to the all-state team later in his career. The athletic backstop will look to make an immediate impact for the Navy and Gold both offensively and defensively.
During his time at Corban, Artzer plans to study business.
Joe Licari – OF – 5'8"– Rocky Mountain HS – Meridian, Idaho
Licari joins the roster after a steady career at Rocky Mountain High School, one of the best baseball programs in the state of Idaho. The speedy outfielder spent his summers with Idaho Prospect Baseball and looks to factor into the Warriors outfield over his four-year career.
Licari will study Kinesiology at Corban.
Hayden Van Acker – LHP – 6'0" – Kuna HS – Kuna, Idaho
Another Idaho native, Van Acker joins the program after a strong career at Kuna High School. Providing much needed left-handed depth on the mound, Van Acker will look to push for innings right away for the Navy and Gold. Van Acker spent the last summer in the Wild Wild West League on the Portland Rosebuds.
Van Acker will study agricultural business.
Kyle Blohm – RHP – 6'0" – Newberg HS – Newberg, Ore.
An Oregon native, Blohm was a solid contributor both on the mound and at the plate for nearby Newberg High School. Focusing solely on pitching at the college level, Blohm will give the Navy and Gold a solid option in his first season on the squad.
Blohm will major in Biokinetics.
Joshua Miyazawa – C – 5'9" – Iolani HS – Honolulu, Hawaii
Miyazawa joins a stout catching corps for the Warriors this season. The Hawaiian native looks to be a significant part of the Warriors future who traditionally run out a talented group of defensive backstops. Miyazawa looks to keep that tradition rolling over the course of his career.
During his time at Corban, he plans to major in Business.
The group of recruits joins an already talented core of returners. The Warriors will bring back their top batting averages (min. 50 ABs)—Kyle Clay (.295), Chris Grayson (.286), and Morgan Hostetler (.285). Furthermore, top RBI man Reese Fawley (39 RBI) returns, alongside veterans Estenio Sede and Maxwell Jeffrey. Lastly, talented infielder Kairos Torres-Umi is set to return to the fold after missing the entire 2021 campaign with an injury.
On the mound, Corban is set to return its top ERA and reigning CCC Pitcher of the Year, Zack Simon, while fellow experienced arms Mason Shaw, Nate Martin, Jacob Bowser, and Trevor Szczepanek look to build upon their respective successful careers.
The rest of Corban baseball's additions will be released later today, outlining the talented group of junior college and four-year college transfers who will be joining the Warriors this season.
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