EAST STROUDSBURG – East Stroudsburg University baseball head coach John Kochmansky has announced that Victor Cruz, Parker Frey, Drew Hefner, CJ Peechatka, Jack Rothenhausler, Connor Takacs, Quinn Warmkessel, Patrick Yoder and Walker Zampella have joined the program ahead of the upcoming 2022 season.
The group of newcomers, which come from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia, will feature four transfers and five freshman.
"We are very excited about the 21'-22' recruiting class, said Kochmansky. This class is unique in that it blends a mixture of seasoned graduate student-athletes with a group of very talented freshman."
Information on each of the student-athletes who have joined the program is provided below:
Victor Cruz
IF | 6-1 | 200 | Westfield, N.J. | Westfield | Rowan
Prior to ESU: Played four seasons at Rowan University ... helped the Profs to two NJAC championships, three NCAA appearances and one College World Series appearance ... played 62 career games while making 39 starts at first and third base ... was named the NJAC Player of the Week and Regional All-Tournament team in 2021.
Background: Helped Westfield High School to a county championship his senior year in 2017 ... majoring in exercise science.
Parker Frey
OF/P | 6-4 | 190 | Bethlehem, Pa. | Liberty
Background: A First Team EPC All-League pitcher and outfielder in 2021 at Liberty High School ... recorded a .500 batting average and 1.48 ERA his senior season ... majoring in sport management.
Drew Hefner
C | 5-9 | 200 | Bridgeport, W.V. | Bridgeport | Charleston
Prior to ESU: Played four seasons at the University of Charleston ... was an MEC First Team selection his senior season ... helped the Golden Eagles to three conference championships, two tournament titles and one regional championship.
Background: The West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year at Bridgeport High School ... a First Team All-State selection as a junior and senior ... helped Bridgeport to four state titles ... recorded a .450 batting average ... pursuing his master's in strategic leadership.
CJ Peechatka
OF | 6-4 | 205 | Henryville, Pa. | Pocono Mountain East | Campbell
Prior to ESU: Played baseball at Northampton Community College and Campbell University ... First Team All-American and First Team All-Region 19 at NCC in 2019 ... NCC career leader in home runs (27) and RBI (118) ... helped Campbell to the Big South regular season title in 2021.
Background: A First Team All-EPC and Morning Call All-Area selection at Pocono Mountain East High School ... helped PME to a Mountain Division title in 2017 ... team captain ... had a .397 batting average, two home runs and 17 RBI his senior year ... member of the National Honor Society ... pursing his masters in exericse physiology.
Jack Rothenhausler
IF/P | 6-0 | 195 | Bethlehem, Pa. | Liberty
Background: A three-sport standout at Liberty High School where he was named the 2021 Male Athlete of the Year ... a two-time First Team All-Area selection as an infielder ... recorded a .481 batting average and 2.32 ERA his senior season ... helped the Hurricanes to a District 11 title in 2019 ... named Second Team All-Area in football as a linebacker ... helped the Hurricanes' golf team to a team district title and state runner-up finish in 2020 ... undecided on major.
Connor Takacs
P | 6-3 | 190 | Jackson, N.J. | Jackson Memorial | Albany
Prior to ESU: Played four season at the University of Albany ... made 42 appearances and six starts ... recorded 51 career strikeouts across 74.0 innings.
Background: Four-year letter winner in baseball at Jackson Memorial… lettered two years in basketball and one year in football… team captain as a senior… named 2017 All-Shore Primer Class A-South… 10th-ranked lefty in New Jersey in 2017… top-300 lefty in the country in 2017… selected for the Shore Baseball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game in 2017… member of 2017 Ocean Country Championship team… pursing his master's in management and leadership with a concentration in sports management.
Quinn Warmkessel
UT| 6-0 | 190 | Salisbury, Pa. | Salisbury
Background: A two-time team MVP at Salisbury High School ... selected to the All-Area Second Team ... was an All-League Utility player ... recorded a .392 batting average his sophomore season ... honor roll student ... majoring in marine science.
Patrick Yoder
P | 6-3 | 180 | Pottsville, Pa. | Pottsville Area
Background: Was a pitcher at Pottsville Area High School ... named to the All-Area team ... earned distinguished honors ... majoring in business management.
Walker Zampella
INF/OF| 6-0 | 175 | Edison, N.J. | Edison
Background: Was honored as the Edison High School Player of the Year ... named the County Player of the Year and First Team All-County ... recorded a .388 batting average ...played in the country all-star game and top 100 players in the state game ... majoring in psychology.
