KENT, Ohio -- Seventh-year Kent State head baseball coach Scott Stricklin introduced the program's 2012 freshman class today (Nov. 10).
The class features 10 student-athletes -- including seven from Ohio and three from western Pennsylvania. The Golden Flashes welcome RHP/OF John Birkbeck (Canton, Ohio), LHP Brian Clark (Munroe Falls, Ohio), LHP Tim Faix (Strongsville, Ohio), RHP Eli Martin (Zanesville, Ohio), OF Alex Miklos (Grove City, Pa.), C/INF/OF Tommy Monnot (Canton, Ohio), OF Jake Neuschaefer (Elyria, Ohio), INF Sawyer Polen (Wooster, Ohio), INF/P Jason Revesz (Grove City, Pa.) and C Jeff Revesz (Grove City, Pa.).
"It's a very deep class. (assistant coach) Scott Daeley and (associate head coach/pitching coach) Mike Birkbeck did another outstanding job," said Stricklin. "We always recruit players to make an impact as freshmen. We expect all of these recruits to come in and contribute. This is a big class for us, and we're very happy with what we've got coming in."
Birkbeck helped guide Canton GlenOak High School to the 2010 Federal League Championship and Ohio state regional semifinals under head coach Greg McClellan and garnered selection to Team Ohio. He also competed for the Stark County Terriers under head coach Don Thorley, helping the squad win the 2007 USSSA state title. He is the son of Kent State associate head coach/pitching coach Mike Birkbeck, who enters his 15th year on the program's coaching staff in 2011.
"John knows how to pitch," said Stricklin. "He's been around it all his life and understands the game. He commands his fastball and his off-speed pitches. He's got a chance to be a major impact guy for our program."
Clark is a two-year letterwinner at Stow-Munroe Falls High School who tossed a no-hitter as a sophomore and served as the team captain for the Bulldogs as a junior under head coach John Daymon. He also played for the Boys of Summer under head coach Bob McCrackin, pitching six complete games, two one hitters and fanning 47 over 36 innings of work.
"Brian is considered one of the top left-handed pitchers in Ohio," said Stricklin. "He really impressed us this summer with his arm strength and command. We project him as a pitcher who will make an immediate impact in our program."
Faix (pronounced Fay) competes at Walsh Jesuit High School under head coach Chris Kaczmar. A three-year letterwinner and an honors student, Faix posted a 7-0 pitching mark as a junior to earn All-Cuyhoga River Baseball Conference honors and help the Warriors earn back-to-back state runner-up finishes in 2009 and '10. He also played for Premier Baseball Academy under head coach Robert Ferns and was a member of the 2010 Midwest Redbirds in addition to being a 2010 Buckeye Scout Invitee.
"Tim is also considered one of the top left-handed pitchers in Ohio and was recruited by a number of other schools," said Stricklin. "He comes from a great high school with great tradition. He's got a lot of experience and has had a lot of success."
Martin, who plays at Tri-Valley High School under head coach Todd Biles, is a two-year letterwinner who earned First Team All-Ohio honors as well as Muskingum Valley League Conference Player of the Year recognition as a junior. That campaign followed a sophomore season in which he earned the first of two First Team Ohio Eastern District selections and garnered Second Team All-MVL honors. He also helped guide the 5B's Stingers to a U16 national title under head coach Todd Biles.
"Eli reminds me a lot of one of our former pitchers, Jason Seelman," said Stricklin. "He's not big in stature, but he just knows how to pitch. He moves his fastball around and has a great breaking ball he can throw anytime. The thing that stands out most is that he really competes and gives hitters fits."
Miklos (pronounced Mick-los) is a three-year letterwinner from Grove City (Pa.) High School, where he has earned all-region honors twice under head coach Pat Forese as well as a district championship. He also played for head coach Jim Revesz as a member of the PA Redhawks, which won the Allegheny Wood Bat Classic championship. Miklos added to his list of achievements by receiving all-tournament team honors at the 2010 NABF World Series.
"Alex is a really good athlete," said Stricklin. "He's a tough kid who grew up playing hockey. He's just a natural athlete who has got some pop in his bat. As he focuses solely on baseball, I think he can develop into a great player in our program."
Monnot (pronounced Mon-it) followed up a sophomore season in which he earned Second Team All-Federal League honors at Canton GlenOak High School under head coach Greg McClellan by achieving first team selection as a junior. He is the squad's two-time reigning 'Defensive Player of the Year' and 'Most Outstanding Hitter.' Monot posted a .475 batting average under head coach Don Thorley as a member of the Stark County Terriers. He also played for the Midland Braves in 2009 and was invited to the '09 East Coast Pro Showcase and the '10 Buckeye Scout. Monnot joined Birkbeck as a 2010 Team Ohio pick.
"Tommy is one of the best hitters not only in the state of Ohio but also in the region," said Stricklin. "He can hit for average and power, and he's very aggressive at the plate. He handles himself very well behind the plate and can play any position on the field. We're going to ask him to catch and to hit, and he's going to be a middle-of-the-order-impact type of player."
Neuschaefer achieved First Team All-Northeast Ohio honors in 2009 and '10 and First Team All-Lorain County selection in '10 at Elyria High School under head coach Mike Brandyberry. He was also named First Team NEOBCA in 2010 and Honorable Mention All-Ohio. Neuschaefer has also competed for the Northeast Ohio Vipers and the Midwest Redbirds.
"Jake is one of the best athletes we've ever recruited," said Stricklin. "He's a great runner with great instincts, and he really can control the center of the diamond from centerfield. He can play any of the three outfield positions as well as being a leadoff-type hitter who can steal bases and put pressure on defenses."
Polen owns a .430 batting average in his three years playing at Triway High School under head coach Sean Carmichael. A three-year letterwinner, Polen is a three-time First All-Principals Athletic Conference and All-Daily Record pick in addition to earning three straight Spring Sports All-Academic Team selections.
"Sawyer is just a really good baseball player," said Stricklin. "We've watched him play for the last three years, and he can play a lot of different positions. He's a very good hitter and a very good leader. He's the kind of guy that every team wants because he leads by example and is a hard worker."
Jason Revesz competes at Grove City (Pa.) High School under Forese alongside Miklos and twin brother Jeff. He has been a region all-star and has excelled in the classroom as a National Honor Society student. He also played fall ball for the Midwest Redbirds.
"Jason can play just about any position on the field," said Stricklin. "He's very versatile and comes from a baseball family. He knows how to play the game and is a very hard worker. He has a chance to do a lot of good things for us in a lot of different ways."
Jeff Revesz, an Under Armour Preseason All-American, earned region player of the year honors at Grove City (Pa.) High School in addition to selection to the District 10 All-Star Team. He also competed for the PA Redhawks, winning the Beast of the East Home Run Derby title as well as playing fall ball for the Midwest Redbirds.
"Jeff is considered one of the top catchers in the region," said Stricklin. "He's a very good hitter and a very good baseball player. With his baseball pedigree and hard work, we feel like he's going to make an early impact in our program."
The Golden Flashes enter 2011 having earned a second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth in 2010. After wrapping the regular season up with a 39-25 (18-9 MAC) mark and its fourth MAC East Division crown in five years, Kent State won five elimination games in three days to capture the MAC Tournament title and punch a ticket to the NCAA Los Angeles Regional. The Flashes welcome back seven starting position players and three starting pitchers from last year's squad. Kent State opens the '11 season Feb. 18 at Georgia Tech.
