UMC Baseball Adds Four Signees

CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team announced the addition of four players to National Letters of Intent. The Golden Eagles signed a pair of junior college product in Adam Sellner (P, 5-11 175, Sleepy Eye, Minn./Riverland C.C.) and Lucas Thoma (P, 5-11 200, Little Falls, Minn./Itasca C.C.), along with high school products Matt Nelson (UT, 6-3 215, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South H.S.) and Riley Thompson (OF/P, 6-1 200, Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna H.S.).

The signings of Sellner, Thoma, Nelson and Thompson bring the total to six players UMC has signed during the Signing Period including local products Brayden Larson (P/C, 6-0 195, Middle River, Minn./Greenbush/Middle River H.S.) and Cody Magsam (IF, 5-10 150, Crookston, Minn./Fisher H.S.).

“I’m very excited that we have signed these four individuals to be a part of the University of Minnesota Crookston and its baseball program,” said Head Coach Chris Vito. “All four are good students that will be welcome additions to our team and the University.”

Adam Sellner/P, 5-11 175, Sleepy Eye, Minn./Riverland C.C.

Prior to UMC: Currently competes at Riverland Community College in Austin, Minn...Appeared in 20 games for the Blue Devils as a freshman, recording a .235 batting average with four RBI’s...Was 4-of-4 on stolen base attempts...As a pitcher, started six games with 38 innings pitched with a record of 3-2 and 2.84 ERA with 41 strikeouts and four complete games...As a sophomore, Sellner has logged 17 innings pitched with two starts...He currently has a 3.18 ERA with 13 strikeouts...At the plate, Sellner is hitting .311 with 15 runs scored, 12 RBI’s, two doubles and two triples...Prior to Riverland C.C., Sellner attended Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s H.S...He played football, basketball and baseball during his prep career...Was an All-Tomahawk Conference pick from 2010-12...Sellner was named the All-Journal Baseball Player of the Year by the New Ulm Journal...Was an All-State selection in 2011 and 2012.

Personal: Son of Loran and Heidi Sellner...Born July 5, 1993...Plans to major in agricultural systems management with an emphasis in farm and ranch management.

“Adam is a solid pitcher with two years of college experinence under his belt in an excellent prgrm at Riverlnd Community College,” Vito said. “Prior to that he played at good high school program in Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s. We needed to add depth to our pitching staff with a lot of losses in our senior class. Adam will immediately help to fill that gap.”


Lucas Thoma/P/5-11 200/Little Falls, Minn./Itasca C.C.

Prior to UMC: Currently competes at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Minn....Has logged 17.1 innings pitched with a 3-2 mark and a 4.15 ERA with 11 strikeouts on the sophomore season...As a freshman, notched 42 innings pitched with a 3-3 mark and a 3.64 ERA in 42 innings pitched...As a prep, competed at Little Falls H.S.

Personal: Son of Dennis and Ann Thoma...Born Oct. 7, 1993...Plans to major in natural resources.

“Like Adam, Lucas comes from an excellent community college program in Itasca C.C.,” Vito said. “ Also like Adam, Lucas will be an immediate contributor to our pitching staff.”

Riley Thompson/OF/P/6-1 200/Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna H.S.

Prior to UMC: Was a 2013 National Under Armour Team participant...Hit .386 for his American Legion team in 2013, leading the team in doubles and home runs...Was a Big 9 All-Conference Honorable Mention pick at Owatonna H.S. in 2013...Hit .300 and led the team with five doubles and 14 RBI’s during the 2013 season.

Personal: Son of Jason and Kari Thompson...Born Oct. 18, 1995...Plans to major in criminal justice.

“Is a solid student-athlete that will help us not only in the outfield but on the mound,” Vito said. “He has shown a strong bat and we are excited to see the contributions he will make over his four years here.”

Matt Nelson/UT/6-3 215/Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South H.S.

Prior to UMC: Competes for the Lakeville South baseball team and the Elko Club baseball team for Senior Babe Ruth and St. Paul Saints development team..Also wrestled for Lakeville South for three years placing fifth in sections...Batted .400 with 39 RBI’s for Elko in Senior Babe Ruth and hit .579 with 12 RBI’s and five runs scored for St. Paul Saints development team.

Personal: Son of Dan and Andrea Nelson...Born July 14, 1996...Plans to major in sports and rec management.

“Matt Nelson is another solid student-athlete who brings versatility to play some different positions for us,” Vito said. “This will make him a valuable contributor over his four years here.”

The six new signees join a UMC squad that is looking to replace eight seniors. The Golden Eagles currently have 12 players slated to return for the 2015 season led by returning starters Jesse Jennings (OF, Robbinsdale, Minn.), Ryan Haggstrom (C/1B/P, Apple Valley, Minn.), Patrick Higgins (OF, Eagan, Minn.), Colton Haight (C, Buffalo, Minn.), Marcus Campbell (OF/P, St. Croix Falls, Wis.), Travis Magdzas (OF, Duluth, Minn.) and Trevor Buttermore (P/3B, North St. Paul, Minn.) along with pitchers Cody Pamperin (Shakopee, Minn.) and Cayden Barta (Fargo, N.D.) who have played a key role out of the bullpen and Brandon Kresl (1B, Crookston, Minn.) who has been limited by an injury but has contributed as a designated hitter.

Also slated to return are two players who redshirted the 2014 season in Wyatt Huso (P, Eagan, Minn.) and Zach Frazier (C/1B/OF, Grand Rapids, Minn.).

The student-athletes listed today as having signed National Letters of Intent or Offers of Admission to play at University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the UMC Compliance Office once they sign the National Letter of Intent and financial aid agreement or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission from UMC.

 For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.