Fourth-year head coach Nate Mayben completed his recruiting class with the signing of four players that included a pair of junior college transfers and two high school seniors.
Mayben & Corban Complete Recruiting Class for 2010
SALEM, Ore. – Fourth-year head coach Nate Mayben announced earlier today the completion of his recruiting class for the upcoming 2010 season with the addition of two junior college transfers and a pair of local high school graduates.
In addition to the ten players that were announced earlier this summer, Mayben added four more players to his roster including Jonathan Ramirez (New Britian, Conn.) from Allan Hancock Junior College, Brian Johnson (Salem, Ore.) from nearby Chemeketa Community College and Salem Academy High School, Craig Baker (Meridian, Idaho) from Meridian High School, and Jonathan Outland (Salem, Ore.) from nearby Sprague High School.
"We are excited about finalizing our recruiting class with these very talented athletes," said Mayben. "Ramirez, Johnson, Baker, and Outland have all had a tremendous amount of success at the programs they are coming from. We look forward to them being a huge part of our success throughout the next two to four years."
Ramirez, a 5-foot-9 middle infielder, comes to Corban after playing one season for the Bulldogs in Northern California. Ramirez competed in both basketball and baseball at Allan Hancock, while earning 1st team all-league honors in both sports. In baseball, Ramirez batted .325 with eight home runs and 30 runs batted in 2008.
Before going across the country for college, Ramirez graduated from New Britian High School where he was named 1st team all-conference after hitting .310 with five home runs and 35 runs batted in. On the court, Ramirez was named Gatorade Rookie of the Year for the Canes.
Besides his high school and junior college accomplishments, Ramirez also played summer ball in the California Collegiate League for the Santa Maria Indians in 2008. With the Indians, Ramirez helped lead the team to a win-loss record of 28-18 while hitting .250 with seven RBI and 12 runs scored.
Johnson, a 6-foot-2 pitcher, comes from Corban after spending two seasons at nearby Chemeketa Community College. While playing for the Storm, Johnson also pitched for the Withnell Dodgers, a local legion ball team, during the summer of 2006.
Before attending Chemeketa, Johnson pitched for nearby Salem Academy High School where he helped lead the Crusaders to a runner-up finish at the 2A state tournament in 2005. A two-time Tri-River Conference Player of the Year, Johnson earned numerous awards during his junior and senior seasons that included a pair of 1st team all-league & all-state honors as a pitcher and Salem Sports & Breakfast Club Athlete of the Week once. Johnson was also named as a member of The Oregonian's all-state team, which awarded him the priviledge of competing in the 2A All-Star Series. Following his play during the all-star series, Johnson was named the Most Outstanding Pitcher for both the North & South teams.
Baker, a 6-foot-2 pitcher, arrives at Corban after playing for Meridian High School in Idaho. The right-hander helped lead the Warriors to a fourth-place finish in the state as a senior. After batting .340 and registering 48 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched, Baker was named 1st team all-conference as a pitcher and appeared in the senior showcase. As a junior, Baker was named to the junior showcase and also earned Under Armour All-American honors.
Outland, a 5-foot-11 middle infielder, brings his local high school skills to Corban after competing for the Olympians. After batting .367 with a pair of home runs and 23 runs batted in, Outland was named all-league honorable mention as a shortstop. Along with his all-league honor, Outland also earned the Most Valuable Player, Most Inspirational, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove awards for Sprague.
The quartet of incoming talent will join 14 returnees and 10 other fellow recruits this season, as Corban prepares for a 53-game schedule next spring that opens with a three-game series against Oregon Tech beginning on February 5th in Medford.