Tiger baseball signs three for 2013
MITCHELL, S.D. – Opening day 2012 is still 17 days away for the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team, but head coach Steve Gust is already looking to the future.
MITCHELL, S.D. – Opening day 2012 is still 17 days away for the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team, but head coach Steve Gust is already looking to the future.
Tuesday morning, Gust announced the signing of three players who will join the Tigers starting in 2013. Freshmen Alex McGuigan, Andrew Becker and Jerrett Mills push Gust's 2013 recruiting class to five members. Jake Capko and Nate Everett signed earlier this offseason.
Two of the Tigers' latest signees hail from South Dakota. McGuigan comes to DWU from T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre, S.D., and Becker went to Tea Area High School in Tea, S.D. McGuigan played outfield and pitched in high school and American Legion baseball, and will play primarily outfield at DWU. He hit four home runs for Post 8 last season and batted .360. The 5-foot-11 McGuigan also played soccer and football for one year at T.F. Riggs.
"Alex has a passion for competition and will provide us with some depth," Gust said. "His potential is unlimited. He is a good athlete and student."
Becker joins the Tiger squad after three seasons of varsity baseball in Tea. The 5-11 middle infielder played shortstop in high school and batted .351 with two home runs, nine RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Becker also lettered three times in football and was named team captain and earned academic all-state honors. He was also a three-time winner of the President's Award for Educational Excellence.
"Andrew will provide versatility to our program" Gust said. "He's a good athlete and student, and we expect him to work hard to develop into a solid all-around player."
Mills comes to DWU from Norfolk Catholic High School in Norfolk, Neb. The 5-10 left-handed pitcher earned two varsity letters and helped his team to a championship in the Yankton Summer Baseball Tournament. He also played football for the Knights.
"Jerrett is very passionate about baseball and DWU," Gust said. "We expect him to develop into a fine pitcher."
Dakota Wesleyan, which went 12-36 overall and 6-15 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference in 2011, is scheduled to start its season Friday, Feb. 17, when it plays a doubleheader against Dickinson State University at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn. The Tigers' first home game is slated for March 28 against Mayville State University, and their first GPAC game is March 31 at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Neb.