Recruit Profile - Michael Levasseur

Michael Levasseur is a freshman entering Northwest Missouri State University this fall.  Michael plays both catcher and outfield.  He is a 5'11" 160-pound right hander from Las Vegas, Nevada.  He graduated from Centennial High School.  In the 2012 Prep season, the Centennial Bulldogs finished 27-13-1.  Michael was a 3-sport athlete in high school participating in both football and wrestling.

The B2R welcomes Michael to the Bearcat family.

Go Cats!!
###

Recruit Profile - Taylor Bruch

Taylor Bruch joins Northwest Missouri State as a freshman in the 2012/2013 academic season.  Taylor is a 6'1" 175-lbs right-handed pitcher from Papillion, Nebraska, where he graduated from Papillion LaVista High School. In 2012, Taylor appeared in 19 games for Papillion LaVista Monarchs, started 6 games, pitched 1 complete game, 4 wins, 3 losses, 1 save, allowed 43 hits, 24 earned runs, hit 4 batters, 22 walks, 1 intentional walk, 38 strike-outs, and a 3.17 ERA.

For Taylor's efforts in 2012, the Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star named him an Honorable Mention Class A All-Nebraska baseball team.  Class A is the State of Nebraska's largest schools class.

Go Cats!!
###

Thanksgiving Day Prayer from the B2R

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all of the blessings you've sent;
In all things, give thanks;
So I want to thank you for Bearcat Baseball and the mighty athletes that you brought to Maryville;
Thank you for Singleton and Charlie Krueger;
Thank you for Mapes and McLaughlin;
Thank you for Garrett and Abernathy;
Thank you for Bigford and Lanke;
Thank you for the Bradys, Zach Douglas, and Carson Smith;
Thank you for Luke Lawyer, Paul Johnson, Steven Garber, and Barthman;
Thank you Camo, Chase, Jase, and Swainey;
Thank you for Jacob, JJ, and Jonny P;
Thank you Hort and the Magic Man, Tyler Durant;
Thank you for the new guys;
I thank you for Darin Loe and Mike Creason for recruiting and coaching talented baseball players for my alma mater;
Thank you for Joe and Kelly Quinlin for giving us athletes with the power we see on game days;
Thank you for Wren Baker, Mark Clements, and Lori Hopkins for supporting baseball;
Lord, I want to thank you for Easton and TPX performance bat technology;
Thank you for Rawlings and raised seams;
Thank you for pine tar and batting gloves;
Lord, bless the Bearcat Baseball team - may they dominate the weight room over the winter to perform with power and precision this spring worthy of the hallowed grounds of Bearcat Baseball field;
Most importantly Lord, thank you for my family, having the coolest wife on Earth and my boy Alex;
B..E..A..R..C..A..T..S..
Amen


Happy Thanksgiving from the B2R
Go Cats!!

###

Recruit Profile - Mitchell Young

Mitchell Young joins Northwest Missouri State University as a freshman in the 2012-2013 academic year.  Mitchell is a 5'11" 155-lbs right-handed infielder from Papillion, Nebraska, and graduated from Papillion-LaVista High School.  Mitchell was named an Honorable Mention All-Nebraska Team for Class A (highest class in Nebraska) in 2012 by the Omaha World Herald.

Mitchell Young in Summer American Legion ball - 2012

In 2012, Mitchell appeared in 49 games for Papillion-LaVista Monarchs Varsity Baseball team, 141 AB, scored 31 runs, smacked 42 hits, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 30 RBIs, got hit by a pitch 6 times, 6 walks, 17 strike-outs, 9 sacrifice bunts, 2 stolen bases, .298 batting average, .397 slugging percentage, .351 on-base percentage.

Mitchell Young circa 2004 Papillion Predators Little League

Go Cats!!
###

Recruit Profile - Tanner Smith

Tanner Smith is a freshman at Northwest Missouri State University for the 2012-2013 academic season.  Based on what the B2R can tell via an internet search, Tanner red-shirted his one year at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.  Tanner Smith graduated from Cameron High School.  He is a 6'1" 185-pounds left-handed pitcher.  I liked what I saw in Tanner in Fall Practice.  He could challenge for playing time as a freshman.  The above photo is one of my favorites and is from the Fall 2012 fall practice.

The B2R welcomes Tanner to the Bearcat family.

Go Cats!!
###

Recruit Profile - Kole Klocko

Kole Klocko enters Northwest Missouri State University as a Junior after he transferred in from Iowa Central Community College.  Kole is 6'00" tall, 190 pounds right-handed pitcher and outfielder.  Kole comes from Norwalk, Iowa, where he graduated from Washington High School in or near Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  According to PerfectGame.org, Kole has packed on 15 pounds of muscle since 2010 where at that time he registered his fastball in the mid-80s with a curveball and change-up in the 70s.  As PerfectGame writes in 2010:

"Kole Klocko is a 2010 RHP/OF with a 6'1'', 175 lb. frame from Norwalk, IA who attends Norwalk. Medium sized frame, lean build, some arm strength, arm works ok, pause at top of delivery, good sink and armside run CH, deceptive CH, throws strikes, projects with mechanical adjustments, good student."

 
In 2011, Kole attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  According to Kirkwood's website:

"High School- Two-time all-conference and all-district pitcher/utility player...two-time all-state performer...quarterback on his high school football team.

Personal- Born 2/21/1992...prepped at Norwalk High School...parents are Jeff and Janet...has two brothers, Keaton and Klay...high school coach was Chad Wiedmann...majoring in Business...favorite mlb team is the San Francisco Giants."

 Kole spent his sophomore season at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  In his only season playing for the Tritons in 2012, Kole had a 5-3 record, 3.74 ERA, 12 appearances, 10 starts, 2 complete games, 45.2 innings pitched, allowed 43 hits, 19 earned runs, 31 walks, 40 strike-outs, 13 extra base hits, 5 wild pitches, 5 hit batters, and 1 balk.

Kole comes to Northwest in 2012 and seems like a great kid.  From what the B2R saw in fall practice, Kole had an excellent fall camp.  He had good zip on his fastball and his change-up and breaking ball had batters leaning forward.  It will be exciting to see where Kole fits in the wide open race for pitching positions on the Bearcats 2013 squad.

The B2R welcomes Kole to the Bearcat Family.

Go Cats

###

Recruit Profile - Andrew Trout

Andrew Trout enters Northwest Missouri State University as a junior having transferred from Central Arkansas.  Andrew is a 6'2" 205 lbs left-hander from Overland Park, Kansas, who plays both a utility position as well as pitches.  Andrew spent the 2012 summer playing for the Wisconsin Woodchucks in the premier college woodbat league, Northwoods League.  In total, Trout worked 11.2 innings, earned 12 strike-outs, 9 walks, 16 hits, and a 3.85 ERA.

The B2R welcomes Andrew Trout to the Bearcat family.

Go Cats!!
###