"It is very exciting for us, being a new staff," said Rardin. "Really starting a new era and for this class to be the first class coming in. We thought it was a really balanced group between JUCO and high school. We thought it was balanced for what we need on the mound, and as position players, I thought we made ourselves a little bit more athletic for the future between being able to run and play defense, yet hit a few more balls out of the yard, while also being able to steal bases. The versatility that the recruiting class will allow us for the future. You cannot talk about the recruiting class without talking about Coach Rob Fournier and Coach Dillon Napoleon and their efforts and the assistance with coach Daylan Nanny with all the visits, all the videos, all the phone calls, and everything that goes on to build relationships with kids. I thought Coach Fournier and Coach Napoleon did a fantastic job with that. It is not easy to come in as a new staff and find the right kids from the right families that are excited to apart of something that is going to be trending upwards instead of maybe taking the easy status quo type program. It is just a good foundation between the right student-athlete from the great families that they come from. It is just another exciting part of what is to be from WKU Baseball."
JUCO Transfers:
Hunter Small | Owensboro, Ky. | Olney Central CC | RHP
- Made 10 appearances while starting 5 on the mound … Posted a 3.26 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 30.1 innings of work … Went 2-0 on the bump in 2021-22.
Zach Dueñas | Olney, Ill. | Olney Central CC | RHP
- "Zach Dueñas, a 6'10" RHP for Olney Central throws 92 mph FB by a Southeastern hitter. Duenas FB 90-92 with downer curve 73-74 that has some bite. Duenas uses his leverage to attack hitters with upside. Struck out 34 hitters in 24.2 IP in 2022."
Zayd Brannigan | Kennesaw, Ga. | Georgia Highlands College | INF
- Appeared in 55 games for Georgia Highlands … Produced a .344/.431/.596 slash line … Added 44 runs, 62 RBI, 15 doubles, 20 walks and nine home runs … Tallied 75 putouts and 132 assists in the field.
Grant Burleson | Summertown, Tenn. | Columbia State CC | RHP
- Made 13 appearances while starting 10 on the mound … Posted a 3.00 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 57.0 innings of work … Went 4-0 on the bump in 2021-22.
Kyle Hayes | West Chicago, Ill. | Kirkwood CC | INF
- Appeared in 58 games for Kirkwood … Produced a .337/.467/.642 slash line … Added 57 runs, 58 RBI, 11 doubles, 40 walks and 16 home runs … Tallied 340 putouts and 22 assists in the field.
Brady Browning | Madison, Fla. | Chipola College | INF
- Appeared in 34 games at West Florida … Produced a .325/.472/.434 slash line … Added 19 runs, 14 RBI, six doubles, 17 walks and one home run … Tallied 7 putouts and 18 assists in the field.
High School Signees:
Jace Kirby | Spring Hill, Tenn. | Summit HS | LHP
- Had 10 strikeouts in five innings of work in 2021-22.
Zach Lyles | Fairmount, Ga. | Sonoraville HS | 2-WAY
- "Legit 5 tool potential who will be a plus defender at a premium defensive position. He brings elite makeup and toughness to the table with his explosive tools will lead a team both by example and vocally. Offensively, he's a bat you can count on to make hard contact, wear down pitchers with lengthy AB's, and willing to take walks to let his speed create runs. This is a player with an endless motor that will go hard from the first pitch to the last."
Bryce Nevils | South Holland, Ill. | Brother Rice HS | OF/INF
- "Ranked as the 26th best 2023 prospect in Illinois – Nevils has been a staple in the heart of the Brother Rice lineup. Standing 6'1'/190lbs, athletic, "toolsy" hitter in the box with a ton of power potential in the future!"
Dylan Mannino | O'fallon, Ill. | Belleville East HS | RHP
- Made 3 appearances on the mound … Posted a 1.34 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 15.2 innings of work … Went 3-0 on the bump in 2021-22.
Bryer Arview | Bethalto, Ill. | Civic Memorial HS | INF
- Had a .463 batting average through 4 years in high school with 20 extra base hits. A 6.75 runner that projects stick up the middle defensively long term. Was named an IHSBCA Class 3A First Team All-State in 2022.
How to follow WKU Baseball: For complete information on WKU Hilltopper Baseball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKU_Baseball on Twitter and @WKUBaseball Instagram.
