SALEM, Ore. – Corban University head baseball coach Jeff McKay announced the first wave of the 2016 recruiting class for Warrior Baseball, naming 11 high school athletes that are joining the Warrior ranks for the upcoming 2017 baseball season. The second wave of baseball recruits will be announced soon.
"We have a small pool of student-athletes we can recruit because we are looking for the best 'fits' spiritually, academically, and athletically," said McKay. "This high school group of recruits are great 'fits.' It is also the most complete high school class we have ever attracted with multiple pitchers, infielders, and outfielders. We needed to improve our young speed and power and we feel we have done that. This class may take some time to develop—the learning and adjustment curve is big in college baseball--but we expect the wait to be worth it."
Josh Ebert – 5'9" – Infield/Outfield – Columbia River High School – Vancouver, Wash.
Hailing from Vancouver, Wash., Josh Ebert looks to make an impact with the Corban Warriors. While playing for Columbia River High School, he was a two-time All-League honoree in both 2015 and 2016. In addition, he was a member of Showtime 18U in 2016.
In addition to playing baseball, Ebert was a wrestler in high school.
Cole Foley – 5'10" – Catcher – Heritage High School – Vancouver, Wash.
Cole Foley comes to Corban from Vancouver, Wash. following a successful career at Heritage High School. He garnered All-League plaudits three years in a row and became the baseball team captain during his senior year.
Furthermore, he played football throughout his high school years. During his junior year, he was ranked fourth in State in tackles, finishing in the top five.
While at Corban, Foley plans to major in Journalism with the ambition to become a journalist.
Kellen Mathisen – 6'0" – Catcher – The Dalles High School – The Dalles, Ore.
Following a successful high school baseball career, Kellen Mathisen joins the Warriors looking to make an impression on the team. During high school, Mathisen gathered All-League honors two times.
On top of high school ball, he played basketball for three years.
While attending Corban, he intends to major in Criminal Justice to later work in law enforcement.
Jacob Michalovich – 6'2" – Pitcher/Outfield – Mission Vista High School – Oceanside, Calif.
Coming to Corban from Oceanside, Calif., Jacob Michalovich intends to make an impact right away. In 2015 and 2016, he was a member of the Varsity baseball team, recording 2 home runs while captaining the team in 2016. In addition, he competed on the SoCal Nationals team in 2016, recording a 3.51 ERA with one save and a 25.2 innings pitched.
Michalovich intends to major in Exercise Science, aspiring to work in physical therapy.
Jadon Meador – 6'0" – Pitcher – Kittitas High School – Ellensburg, Wash.
Jadon Meador joins the Warriors after collecting First-Team All-League honors four years straight at the high school level. He was named team captain all four years and helped lead his team to reach the State Championship three years in a row.
In addition to playing baseball, he played basketball for four years and football his freshman year.
While at Corban, Meador intends to major in Business.
Michael Northrop – 5'11" – Pitcher – Marysville Pilchuck High School – Marysville, Wash.
Hailing from Marysville, Wash., Michael Northrop comes to Corban after a successful high school playing career. As a senior, he registered a record of 1-0 with 2 saves and an ERA of 2.16 in 23 innings pitched as a reliever. During summer baseball, he recorded a 5-5 record on the mound with a 3.39 ERA in 54 innings pitched.
Northrop intends to major in Criminal Justice with the ambition to work in law enforcement.
Joseph Regan – 5'9" – Pitcher – North Kitsap High School – Poulsbo, Wash.
Coming to Corban from Poulsbo, Wash., Joseph Regan intends to make an impact on the Warrior team. While playing high school baseball, he led the team to a fifth-place finish at the State Tournament during his junior year.
In addition to playing baseball, Regan played football, basketball, and tennis in high school.
Riley Syverson – 6'2" – First Base – Bishop Kelly High School – Eagle, Idaho
Hailing from Eagle, Idaho, Riley Syverson comes to Corban University intending to make an impression right off the bat. While in high school, he garnered Second-Team All-Conference honors while exceling at first base.
While attending Corban, Syverson intends to major in Dentistry, aspiring to be a dentist.
Bradley Thomas – 5'10" – Pitcher/Outfield – Reno High School – Victorville, Calif.
Bradley Thomas joins Corban after playing at Reno High School. During his time there, he was awarded the MVP Award in 2014, while also leading the team to becoming Regional Champs three years in a row.
Thomas intends to major in Secondary Education while at Corban to become a teacher.
Justin Tow – 6'1" – Infield – Sweet Home High School – Sweet Home, Ore.
After a heavily decorated high school career, Justin Tow joins Corban from Sweet Home, Ore. During the 2014 season, Tow was awarded Most Improved and Rookie of the Year. The next seasoon, he collected the Big Stick and Gold Glove awards, while also being named to the First-Team All-League and the Second-Team All-State as an infielder. To wrap up his high school career, Tow collected the 2016 MVP Award and was named to the First-Team All-League in the infield.
In addition to playing baseball, Tow played basketball and football throughout high school. He was named a Second-Team All-League quarterback in 2014 and 2015, while also collecting the Coaches Award in 2015. Furthermore, he garnered the MVP Honor for basketball during the 2015-2016 season, while also being named to the Second-Team All-League the same season.
While attending Corban, he intends to major in Education, aspiring to become a high school math teacher.
Zane Zurbrugg – 6'3" – Infield – Bremerton High School – Bremerton, Wash.
Zane Zurbrugg joins the Corban Warriors after a successful high school career. During his high school playing days, he garnered First-Team All-League honors three times, and collected both the Silver Slugger Award and the Gold Slugger Award, while also landing on the All-West Sound baseball team. Moreover, Zurbrugg received Second-Team All-State plaudits and garnered an All-American Honorable Mention nod.
Zurbrugg intends to major in Criminal Justice.