Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Shippensburg University Announces 2014 Early Signing Class

November 26, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Shippensburg University head coach Matt Jones moves into his eighth year guiding the Raiders program. Jones has led Shippensburg teams to 190 wins, two Atlantic Region titles, a conference title, a division title and two Division II College World Series appearances along with five PSAC tournament appearances during his first seven years.

Last year's team advanced to the Division II College World Series after winning four consecutive games out of the loser's bracket to claim the Atlantic Regional title.

Jones, along with assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Adam Sheibley, have signed seven players to a NLI during the early signing period. They have also gotten verbal commitments from two additional players.

According to Jones, "We are very excited about this class. We addressed our needs. We lose some very talented guys who were a major part of our success last year. This class is very athletic and should be able to help us out right away. Coach Sheibley did a great job signing his first class. They are all good kids, many of whom have already played together so the chemistry is already in place with this group. We can't wait to get them to campus and start working with them, get them stronger and see how they develop."

Jones, in his second stint as a college head coach, spent seven seasons guiding the Elizabethtown College Program prior to becoming just the 11th baseball coach in the history of Shippensburg University. In 14 years as a head coach Jones has 337 wins under his belt. He offered some advice to underclassmen beginning their search for the right college program. "Young players need to do their homework. Look at rosters. Know the recent history of a program. High school players need to know what a program's needs are and go somewhere that matches their academic interests first and foremost. Then find somewhere that they can play early. If you are a shortstop and a program has all freshmen and sophomore middle infielders on the roster then that may not be the place for you. Ask good questions and try to talk to players in the program to see how they like it."


2014 Early commits


              Crum                              Forry                             Hoiles                           Hoover

LHP/1B Andy Crum (Hollidaysburg HS)

Crum is a 6-foot, 170-pound two-way prospect that tops at 83 mph from the mound and has a solid line-drive approach at the plate. He went 4-0 with a 2.22 ERA as a junior in 2013. Crum hit .291 with 13 runs scored and 14 RBI. He is ranked No. 158 in the PA Class of 2014.

OF Tanner Forry (Dallastown HS)

Forry showed very well during defensive evaluations with athletic actions and good carry on throws of 90 mph at the PA Top Prospect Games in June. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitter showcased a square stance and a flat bat path during a solid round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 90 mph. Forry, who runs a 6.65 60-yard dash, is ranked No. 165 in the PA Class of 2014.

3B/C Dalton Hoiles (Spring Grove HS)

Hoiles is a 6-foot-1, 160-pound 3B/C that was a big contributor in Spring Grove's run in the PA American Legion tournament in 2013. He hit .367 as a sophomore in 2012. Hoiles' father Chris played for eight seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. He is ranked No. 117 in the PA Class of 2014.

OF/LHP Grant Hoover (Dover Area HS)

Hoover is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound OF/LHP that was a AAA 2nd Team PHSBCA All-State selection in 2013 when he hit .441 with 14 runs scored, 30 hits and 11 RBI. He is ranked No. 169 in the PA Class of 2014.

RHP Gabe Mosser (Parkland HS)

Mosser is a 6-foot-1, 160-pound righty that sits in the mid-80s with command of three pitches. He went 5-3 with a 1.04 ERA in 47.1 innings of work in 2013. Mosser registered 38 strikeouts and only allowed 9 walks. He is ranked No. 110 in the PA Class of 2014.

MIF/RHP Nick Spangler (Spring Grove HS)

Spangler is a 5-foot-9, 160-pound two-way prospect that hit .457 in 2013, was named 2nd Team All-State and participated as a member of Team PA at the 2013 Big 26 Classic. He showcased athletic actions and a solid arm in the Fall College Prospect Program. Spangler displayed quick feet and the ability to make plays on the move with throws of 76 mph across the diamond. He barreled the baseball consistently during a solid round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 85 mph. Spangler is ranked No. 76 in the PA Class of 2014.

LHP Seth LeFever (Columbia HS/ Cecil CC)

LeFever is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound lefty transfer from Cecil Community College is Maryland. He went 2-6 with a 4.36 ERA in 2012 as a senior at Columbia HS. LeFever registered 76 strikeouts that season in 51.1 innings of work for a team that went 2-18.


            Mosser                          Spangler                          LeFever


additional pa news: