Herold Announces 2014-15 Signing Class
Nov 22, 2013 | Baseball
OMAHA, Neb. – Seven players have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Omaha baseball program in 2014-15, head coach Bob Herold announced Friday. Four of UNO's signees are local products from the Omaha area, while two hail from Minnesota and one is from Colorado.
“We're really excited about our 2014 recruiting class,” Herold said. “It's heavy on pitching, which is a goal we set out to achieve. This is also the largest class we have ever signed early and one of the most talented groups we've recruited to UNO. From a position player standpoint, we have some great athletes coming in, and we recognize what they bring as competitors on the field.
“Through our coaching staff's efforts, we have attracted many of the top players in the Omaha metro area this year, a group we target year in and year out. As a whole, this class of signees is made up of quality young men who will impact our program in a big way as we aim to set the pace in the Summit League and compete as a championship-level Division I program.”
COREY BINGER
RHP, 6-3, 180, R/R, Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie)
Binger is a right-handed pitcher from Eden Prairie High School, where he has been a three-year letterwinner for coach John Buteyn and Mike Halloran. As a junior, he garnered All-Lake Conference honorable mention recognition and posted a 1.35 ERA over 33.3 innings pitched. In 2012, Binger was part of the Eden Prairie squad that won a Minnesota state championship. His American Legion team, coached by Scott Hackett, was the 2013 Minnesota state champion. In 2012, his Legion program was the Midwest Regional runner-up.
“Corey was one of the top guys at Eden Prairie, one of the most respected high school programs in the Minneapolis area,” Herold said. “He is a tall, lanky righty who has a chance to become a big part of our pitching staff. With his ability, he should be able to contribute right away.”
ADAM CANIGLIA
C/UTL, 5-10, 195, R/R, Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Burke)
Caniglia is a catcher/utility player From Omaha Burke High School, where he has lettered for coach Scott Hodges. As a sophomore, he earned second-team all-state honors, followed by first-team all-state recognition as a junior. In 2013, he hit .411 in American Legion ball, ranked second in the state with 56 RBI and was among the leaders in doubles and home runs.
“Adam is a catcher for Burke, and he will also serve as one of their top pitchers this spring,” Herold said. “He plays as hard as anybody in the region, and we're looking forward to him being a versatile contributor for our team as a guy who can play multiple positions.”
JORDAN HOLLOWAY
RHP, 6-4, 180, R/R, Arvada, Colo. (Ralston Valley)
Holloway is a right-handed pitcher from Ralston Valley High School, where he has lettered for coach Shane Freehling. He also plays club baseball for the Davy Jones Cardinals for coaches Derek Hines, Jeff Hines and Sam Stearns.
“Jordan comes to us from Ralston Valley High School, and he played for Jeff Hines in the Davy Jones baseball program, which is one of the premier clubs in Colorado,” Herold said. “He is a hard-throwing righty who will bring a power arm to our program. He has blossomed late in his career and became his team's No. 1 pitcher by the end of last year.”
COLE JOHNSTON
RHP, 5-10, 180, R/R, Omaha, Neb. (Millard West)
Johnston is a right-handed pitcher from Millard West High School, where he has lettered two years for coach Frank Ryan and is a teammate of fellow signee Nick Lawson. As a junior, Johnston went 3-0 with two saves, a 1.70 ERA and 28 strikeouts. In Legion ball, he compiled an 8-0 record on the mound with a 1.48 ERA over 61 innings pitched and had 87 strikeouts, which ranked among the state's best. Additionally, Johnston hit .327 and drove in 22 runs. He has also lettered three years in cross country for the Wildcats, finishing fifth in the state in 2011.
“Cole is another signee who comes from Millard West,” Herold said. “He fits right into the mold of what we have our pitchers do here at UNO – he keeps his pitches down in the strike zone and throws quality strikes. We've seen him do that in high school, and he will be one of the top arms in the Omaha area this spring.”
NICK LAWSON
OF, 6-0, 170, R/R, Omaha, Neb. (Millard West)
Lawson is an outfielder from Millard West High School, where he has lettered for coach Frank Ryan and is a teammate of fellow signee Cole Johnston. As a junior, Lawson hit .450 in American Legion ball, tallying 40 runs scored, 45 RBI, 16 extra-base hits and 22 stolen bases. He had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and also went 1-0 on the mound with four saves, a 1.64 ERA and 36 strikeouts to seven walks as his team's closer. Lawson has also lettered three years in football.
“Nick is the best defensive outfielder locally, and we are excited to have him join our program,” Herold said. “He covers a lot of ground and brings speed to the game, and those are elements we believe he will continue to enhance as a college player.”
COLE PATTERSON
OF, 5-11, 190, L/R, Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue West)
Patterson is an outfielder from Bellevue West High School, where he has lettered three years for former Maverick Brian Strawn. In the summer of 2013, Patterson hit .393 in American Legion ball and ranked among the state's leaders with 12 triples and seven home runs. He has also lettered four years in football.
“Cole comes from a great program at Bellevue West,” Herold said. “He'll be a power-hitting outfielder in our program, and he has a bright future here at UNO. Cole is one of the most athletic players we have signed in this year's recruiting class.”
RILEY SWEENEY
RHP, 5-7, 160, R/R, Chaska, Minn. (Chaska)
Sweeney is a right-handed pitcher from Chaska High School, where he has lettered for coach Craig Baumann. A two-time all-conference selection in 2012 and 2013, he was selected his team's most valuable pitcher both years. Sweeney also plays club ball for the Minnesota Millers and is coached by Mark Hallberg.
“What Riley will bring to our program is similar to another signee, Cole Johnston,” Herold said. “He was what we were looking for as a pitcher who throws quality strikes, and he is one of the fiercest competitors we have in our signing class this year.”
“We're really excited about our 2014 recruiting class,” Herold said. “It's heavy on pitching, which is a goal we set out to achieve. This is also the largest class we have ever signed early and one of the most talented groups we've recruited to UNO. From a position player standpoint, we have some great athletes coming in, and we recognize what they bring as competitors on the field.
“Through our coaching staff's efforts, we have attracted many of the top players in the Omaha metro area this year, a group we target year in and year out. As a whole, this class of signees is made up of quality young men who will impact our program in a big way as we aim to set the pace in the Summit League and compete as a championship-level Division I program.”
COREY BINGER
RHP, 6-3, 180, R/R, Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie)
Binger is a right-handed pitcher from Eden Prairie High School, where he has been a three-year letterwinner for coach John Buteyn and Mike Halloran. As a junior, he garnered All-Lake Conference honorable mention recognition and posted a 1.35 ERA over 33.3 innings pitched. In 2012, Binger was part of the Eden Prairie squad that won a Minnesota state championship. His American Legion team, coached by Scott Hackett, was the 2013 Minnesota state champion. In 2012, his Legion program was the Midwest Regional runner-up.
“Corey was one of the top guys at Eden Prairie, one of the most respected high school programs in the Minneapolis area,” Herold said. “He is a tall, lanky righty who has a chance to become a big part of our pitching staff. With his ability, he should be able to contribute right away.”
ADAM CANIGLIA
C/UTL, 5-10, 195, R/R, Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Burke)
Caniglia is a catcher/utility player From Omaha Burke High School, where he has lettered for coach Scott Hodges. As a sophomore, he earned second-team all-state honors, followed by first-team all-state recognition as a junior. In 2013, he hit .411 in American Legion ball, ranked second in the state with 56 RBI and was among the leaders in doubles and home runs.
“Adam is a catcher for Burke, and he will also serve as one of their top pitchers this spring,” Herold said. “He plays as hard as anybody in the region, and we're looking forward to him being a versatile contributor for our team as a guy who can play multiple positions.”
JORDAN HOLLOWAY
RHP, 6-4, 180, R/R, Arvada, Colo. (Ralston Valley)
Holloway is a right-handed pitcher from Ralston Valley High School, where he has lettered for coach Shane Freehling. He also plays club baseball for the Davy Jones Cardinals for coaches Derek Hines, Jeff Hines and Sam Stearns.
“Jordan comes to us from Ralston Valley High School, and he played for Jeff Hines in the Davy Jones baseball program, which is one of the premier clubs in Colorado,” Herold said. “He is a hard-throwing righty who will bring a power arm to our program. He has blossomed late in his career and became his team's No. 1 pitcher by the end of last year.”
COLE JOHNSTON
RHP, 5-10, 180, R/R, Omaha, Neb. (Millard West)
Johnston is a right-handed pitcher from Millard West High School, where he has lettered two years for coach Frank Ryan and is a teammate of fellow signee Nick Lawson. As a junior, Johnston went 3-0 with two saves, a 1.70 ERA and 28 strikeouts. In Legion ball, he compiled an 8-0 record on the mound with a 1.48 ERA over 61 innings pitched and had 87 strikeouts, which ranked among the state's best. Additionally, Johnston hit .327 and drove in 22 runs. He has also lettered three years in cross country for the Wildcats, finishing fifth in the state in 2011.
“Cole is another signee who comes from Millard West,” Herold said. “He fits right into the mold of what we have our pitchers do here at UNO – he keeps his pitches down in the strike zone and throws quality strikes. We've seen him do that in high school, and he will be one of the top arms in the Omaha area this spring.”
NICK LAWSON
OF, 6-0, 170, R/R, Omaha, Neb. (Millard West)
Lawson is an outfielder from Millard West High School, where he has lettered for coach Frank Ryan and is a teammate of fellow signee Cole Johnston. As a junior, Lawson hit .450 in American Legion ball, tallying 40 runs scored, 45 RBI, 16 extra-base hits and 22 stolen bases. He had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and also went 1-0 on the mound with four saves, a 1.64 ERA and 36 strikeouts to seven walks as his team's closer. Lawson has also lettered three years in football.
“Nick is the best defensive outfielder locally, and we are excited to have him join our program,” Herold said. “He covers a lot of ground and brings speed to the game, and those are elements we believe he will continue to enhance as a college player.”
COLE PATTERSON
OF, 5-11, 190, L/R, Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue West)
Patterson is an outfielder from Bellevue West High School, where he has lettered three years for former Maverick Brian Strawn. In the summer of 2013, Patterson hit .393 in American Legion ball and ranked among the state's leaders with 12 triples and seven home runs. He has also lettered four years in football.
“Cole comes from a great program at Bellevue West,” Herold said. “He'll be a power-hitting outfielder in our program, and he has a bright future here at UNO. Cole is one of the most athletic players we have signed in this year's recruiting class.”
RILEY SWEENEY
RHP, 5-7, 160, R/R, Chaska, Minn. (Chaska)
Sweeney is a right-handed pitcher from Chaska High School, where he has lettered for coach Craig Baumann. A two-time all-conference selection in 2012 and 2013, he was selected his team's most valuable pitcher both years. Sweeney also plays club ball for the Minnesota Millers and is coached by Mark Hallberg.
“What Riley will bring to our program is similar to another signee, Cole Johnston,” Herold said. “He was what we were looking for as a pitcher who throws quality strikes, and he is one of the fiercest competitors we have in our signing class this year.”
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