UMC Baseball Adds Eight to Signing Class

CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team announced the addition of eight student-athletes to Offers of Admission to play for the Golden Eagles. The signing class is the first for Head Coach Steve Gust, who took over the program in June. 

Patrick Amerson (IF, 5-9 170, Eloy, Ariz./Dakota Wesleyan), David Anaya (IF, 5-11 170, Tucson, Ariz./Dakota Wesleyan), Ethan Mushitz (IF, 6-0 175, East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks H.S.), Jarad Nelson (P, 5-10 180, Karlstad, Minn./Northland C.T.C.), Dalton Parks (OF, 5-9 135, West Valley City, Utah/Brown Mackie College), Colt Trebesch (IF/P, 5-10 165, Glencoe, Minn./Mesabi Range C.T.C.), Timothy Scott, Jr. (OF, 6-1 185, Macon, Ga./Mesabi Range C.T.C.) and Nolan Wahlberg (P, Blaine, Minn./Century College) all signed Offers of Admission to play baseball at UMC.

“I am very pleased with the guys that we’re bringing in this Fall,” Gust said. “It was extremely difficult to find quality student-athletes late in the recruiting process, but I feel like these guys fit a lot of the needs of the program on and off the field.

The eight signees join six student-athletes who signed National Letters of Intent (NLI’s) to play for the Golden Eagles while former Head Coach Chris Vito was still leading the program. In addition, the Golden Eagles have 13 student-athletes returnign from last season’s squad.

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.

Patrick Amerson (IF, 5-9 170, Eloy Ariz./Dakota Wesleyan)

Will be a sophomore eligibilty wise

Prior to UMC: Spent a season playing for Steve Gust at Dakota Wesleyan, an NAIA school in Mitchell, S.D...Did not appear in any games as a freshman for the Golden Eagles...Played at Dakota Wesleyan with David Anaya.

High School: Played for Vista Grande H.S. in Eloy, Ariz...Earned three varsity letters and was a three-year starter...Held a .391 batting average in 203...Batted .238 in 2012...Played three seasons of baseball for the Spartans Post 8...Lettered three times in football and once in basketball...A three-year member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Son of Mary Ann Amerson and Coy Ameron...Major in management...Born Dec. 20, 1994...Uncle Jim O’Donnell played baseball at Phoenix College...Uncle Patrick O’Donnell played baseball at University of Arizona...Uncle Dan O’Donnell was an All-American diver at Arizona State University...Cousin Ryan O’Connell played baseball for national championship University of Arizona squad an the San Diego Padres organization...Uncle Joe O’Donnell played baseball for National Championship University of Arizona squad.

“Patrick is not only a good ball player but also a great student,” Gust said. “His upside is huge because he has all the character traits I look for in a player. He is a team player, hard worker, a good listener and will do whatever it takes to succeed both on and off the field.”

David Anaya (IF, 5-11 170, Tucson, Ariz./Dakota Wesleyan)

Will be a sophomore eligibility wise

Prior to UMC: Played a season at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D. under Steve Gust but did not appear in any games...Played at Dakota Wesleyan with Patrick Amerson.

High School: Played for Pueblo Magnet School...Helped Catalina Magnet School to a state title in 2011...Batted .324 as a sophomore...Also played in the Pony League and Kino Collegiate League.

Personal: Born April 25, 1995...Cousin Nathan Arevalo played at Cameron University.

“We signed David to challenge for a starting middle infielder spot from day one,” Gust said. “He has talent, but his biggest asset is his passion to be the best. He has all the tools to be a pretty good all-around player for us.”

Ethan Mushitz (IF, 6-0 175, East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks H.S.)

High School: Hit .364 with 12 RBI’s and eight runs scored as a senior for East Grand Forks...Earned a varsity letter in baseball. 

Personal: Son of Elaine Brustad and Bob Mushitz...Majoring in criminal justice...Born Jan. 26, 1996.

“We’re excited to add an are product with talent to our program,” Gust said. “More important though, he has some tools that will help him contend for playing time this year. We believe he can be a very good player in due time.”

Jarad Nelson (P, 5-10 180, Karlstad, Minn./Northland C.T.C.)

Will be a junior eligibility wise

Prior to UMC: Played two years at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls, Minn...Threw 28.1 innings as a sophomore and struck out 16 batters.

High School: Earned four varsity letters at Tri-County High School and earned All-Conference in 2010, 2011 and 2012...Named the Northwest Conference MVP in 2012 and All-Section 8AA in 2012.

Personal: Son of Randy and Kathy Nelson...Majoring in education...Born Aug. 11, 1993.

“Jarad was one of the top prospects coming out of the Northern Freeze program two years ago,” Gust said. “With two years to grow and develop at Northland Community College, we believe he is even better now. He will be looked to as a pitcher who can keep us in conference games.”

Dalton Parks (OF, 5-9 135, West Valley City, Utah/Brown Mackie College (Kan.)

Will be a junior eligibility wise

Prior to UMC: Played at Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kan...Hit .262 with one home run, 16 RBI’s, 24 runs scored and six stolen bases as a sophomore...Earned All-Region for Brown Mackie...As a freshman, hit .232 with nine runs scored and four RBI’s.

High School: Played at Hunter H.S...An All-Region team pick...Earned four high school letters

Personal: Son of Shawn and Cindy Parks...Majoring in sports and rec management...Born June 13, 1994.

“We feel very fortunate to get a student-athlete like Dalton,” Gust said. “He is a good defensive outfielder and can hit at the top of our order. Offensively, his strengths lie in his ability to get on base and earn quality at-bats.”

Timothy Scott, Jr. (OF, 6-1 185, Macon, Ga./Mesabi Range C.T.C.)

Will be a junior eligibility wise

Prior to UMC: Junior college teammate of Colt Trebesch...Played at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College in Virginia, Minn...As a sophomore, hit .278 with two home runs, 14 RBI’s, 16 runs scored and five stolen bases...As a sophomore for Mesabi Range, hit .295 with 14 RBI’s, 23 runs scored and seven stolen bases...Had 1.000 fielding percentage.

High School: Played at Central H.S. in Macon, Ga...Was Second Team All-Region pick...Led team in RBI’s as a junior and senior...Led team in home runs as a senior.

Personal: Son of Hope Cooper and Timothy Scott, Sr...Majoring in elementary education...Born Aug. 11, 1990.

“Tim provides depth to our lineup both defensively and with the bat,” Gust said. “His best baseball is yet to come. He has some tools we are excited to see.”

Colt Trebesch (IF/P, 5-10 165, Glencoe, Minn./Mesabi Range C.T.C.)

Will be a junior eligibility wise

Prior to UMC: Junior college teammate of Timothy Scott, Jr...Played at Mesabi Range C.T.C. in Virginia, Minn...Hit .270 with 13 RBI’s, 23 runs scored and 10 stolen bases as a sophomore...Also pitched at Mesabi Range CTC...Picked up a win as a pitcher against Dakota Wesleyan JV giving up four earned runs in seven innings....Hit .333 with six RBI’s, 18 runs scored and nine stolen bases as a freshman.

High School: Served as team captain for Glencoe-Silver Lake H.S...All-Conference in 2010 and Honorable Mention All-Conference in 2009...Earned Defensive MVP in 2009...Team participated in state in 2008.

Personal: Son of Robert Trebesch and Pamela Herrmann...Born Dec. 3, 1992...Undecided on major.

“Colt is a blue collar player; he’s tough and a no nonsense type of guy,” Gust said. “He will work hard to do what it takes for our program. He is also very versatile, which is what we need in the program.”

Nolan Wahlberg (P, 6-6 230, Blaine, Minn./Century College)

Will be a junior eligibility wise

Prior to UMC: Played at Century College where he helped lead team to an NJCAA National Runner-Up finish...Was the winning pitcher in the semi-final game of the World Series.

High School: Played at Blaine H.S...Was an All-Conference pick twice...Served as team captain...Named High School Pitcher of the Year for Blaine H.S. twice...Was named team MVP.

Personal: Son of Douglas and Rachelle Wahlberg...Born June 24, 1993...Majoring in criminal justice.

“Nolan comes from one of the top junior college programs in the nation,” Gust said. “We believe he has the ability to blossom into a great pitcher. He will definitely add much needed depth to our pitching staff.”

The eight signees join Brayden Larson (P/UT, 6-0 195, Middle River, Minn./Greenbush/Middle River H.S.), Cody Magsam (IF, 5-10 150, Crookston, Minn./Fisher Public School), Matt Nelson (UT, 6-3 215, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South H.S.), Adam Sellner (P, 5-11 175, Sleepy Eye, Minn./Riverland C.C.), Luke Thoma (P, 5-11 200, Little Falls, Minn.) and Riley Thompson (OF/P, 6-1 200, Owatonna, Minn.) who has previously signed with the Golden Eagles.

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