Ryan Butcher- 1B/3B, Lebanon HS, Lebanon, OH.
Ryan is a big and strong athlete that has a chance to hit some homeruns for the Bears in the future.  He works hard in the weight room and continued improvement on his baseball skills could allow Ryan to make a huge impact for us soon.  Ryan was named 1^st-team all Greater Western Ohio Conference in his senior year in which he hit .361.  He also competed in basketball and football during his career at Lebanon.  Ryan is the son of Becky and Bobby Butcher.

Phillip Butler- C/1B, Blinn Junior College (TX), Spring HS, Spring, TX.
Phillip is another of the many power hitters coming in this years recruiting class.  He comes to Portsmouth as an established hitter that shows power to all fields.  Defensively, he is a leader on the field and an extremely hard worker.  Phillip is a great addition to the program.  While in high school, Phillip was a two year captain and was a 1^st team all-district performer in 2006.  He was also named to the 2006 Houston Area All-Star game.  Phillip is the son of Patricia and Johnny Butler.

Zach Byler- INF, Lakeland Community College (OH), Howland HS, Warren, OH.
Zach is an impressive athlete who brings a great deal of versatility to the roster at Shawnee State.  Being able to play so many positions and his ability to run will allow Zach to see plenty of playing time.  He has the potential to hit in the middle of the lineup with improved consistency.  Zach was a three sport star at Howland in baseball, soccer, and basketball where he lettered three times in each sport.  He was also named team captain of all three teams.  Zach was named 2^nd-team all-Metro Athletic Conference and was also awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award.  Zach is the son of Julie and David Byler. 

Ryan Deuschle- 2B/3B, Newark HS, Newark, OH.
Ryan is a great athlete that will bring speed and defense to the lineup.  With improved strength, the coaching staff expects to see Ryan be a good offensive player for the Bears.  His speed and athleticism will allow Ryan to play other positions on the field.  Ryan has shown a deep passion for Shawnee State and we are glad to have him.  During his senior season, Ryan was named team captain of his team.  That season, he hit .330 and committed just two errors.  He also played golf during his career at Newark.  Ryan is the son of Cindy Hubor and David Deuschle.

Danny Gessick- UTL, Groveport HS, Columbus, OH.
Danny is a fantastic offensive player who will add a potent left handed bat to the lineup.  He has the ability to play first base and third base and also has enough ability to play a corner outfield spot.  If Danny lives up to the potential he has offensively, he will find a spot n the field somewhere.  Danny ended the season as the sixth leading hitter at Notre Dame his freshman season (.375).  During his high school career, he was named team captain and set the Groveport record for strikeouts in a game with 17.  He also competed in golf and bowling.  Danny is the son of Cindi and Don Gessick.

Joe Gonser- C, Green HS, Uniontown, OH.
Joe is a catcher who receives the ball very well and shows a fantastic aptitude for the game.  He is very fundamentally sound and with improved strength showed be a major contributor.  Joe is another player who has shown a great passion for the program at SSU and will be joined by his high school battery mate Jordan Williams.  Joe was a three-year letterman at Green, including the Final Four team in his senior year.  He threw out over 50% of the baserunners trying to steal against him.  Joe is the son of Michelle and Rob Gonser.

Craig Magill- RHP, Huntington HS, Chillicothe, OH.
Craig comes to us as a pitcher who comes at hitters with a lot of different arm angles which is very tough on hitters.  He attacks hitters with strikes with two pitches and with the development of a third pitch, should be able to break into the pitching staff early on in his career.  Craig is a valuable addition to our already deep pitching staff.

Jordan Maier- SS/2B, Heath HS, Heath, OH.
Jordan is a very good defensive infielder who will solidify the Bears middle infield defense for the years to come.  A great athlete, he brings speed and will be a tough out at the plate that we will look to hit near the top of the order for us and steal some bases.

Peyton Martin- 2B/SS, Raceland HS (KY), Raceland HS
Peyton is a prototypical leadoff man who puts together great at-bats, gets on base, knows how to bunt, and can really run.  His best tool is his foot speed, which we hope to see him use stealing a lot of bases.  A very good infielder, Peyton profiles best at second base where his sure hands and quick feet will be a huge asset to the Bears.  While at Raceland, Peyton was an all-area and all-district performer and was also named honorable mention all-state in Kentucky.  He was a team captain for baseball and lettered for five years.  He also played golf and basketball.  Peyton is the son of Susan Daniels and Gregg Martin.

Ricky Masson- 1B/OF, Sinclair Community College (OH), Christian Brothers College HS (MO.), St. Charles, MO.
Ricky comes to us as a polished and accomplished hitter from the junior college ranks.  During his career at Sinclair, he hit .353 and should be able to hit for some power while hitting in the middle of the lineup for the Bears.  He is a very good first baseman and will bring maturity and stability to an otherwise young team.  Ricky was a four year letterman at CBC and a two-time 1^st-team all conference performer.  He also played football.  Ricky is the son of Rosie and Rick Masson.

Justin Moore- INF, Ringgold HS
Justin is a switch hitting infielder who has very sure hands and the ability to play all three infield spots.  He is an exceptionally hard worker who shows an unmatched passion for the game.  He is a baseball rat; it is difficult to get him off the field.  Offensively, he handles the bat well enough to make the coaching staff believe he will hit with continued improvement over the fall. 

Adam Poff- LHP, Lebanon HS, Lebanon, OH.
Adam is an extremely projectable young pitcher who we believe can explode with increased development and strength.  He has very long arms and a clean and easy throwing motion.  He already showcases a fastball with good life and we are excited to see Adam’s continued development.  Adam has a chance to be a top of the line pitcher.  He was named to the 1^st-team all Greater Western Ohio Conference during his senior season in which he hit .373 and compiled a 6-2 record on the mound with a 2.77 ERA.  He had 59 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched.  Adam is the son of Cindy and Mark Poff.

Nathan Ratliff- INF, Eastern Brown HS, Sardinia, OH.
Nathan is a talented left handed hitter that has a chance to hit at the collegiate level.  He has shown power with a short, compact stroke.  With continued improvement on his defensive skills, Nathan has a chance to make a slash early in his career at Shawnee State.  He rejoins former Eastern Brown teammate Phillip Martin here in Portsmouth.

Corey Richards- LHP, Western Brown HS, Mt. Orab, OH.
Corey is a left handed pitcher that has shown a knack for retiring opposing hitters.  His stuff is not overpowering, but he shows a great deal of savvy and competitiveness every single time he takes the mound.  He joins teammate Travis Taylor both of whom are continuing their playing careers here at Shawnee State.  Corey was a three year letterman at Western Brown where he sported a 14-6 career mark over that time.  He also competed in wrestling.  Corey is the son of Shannon and Tim Watson. 

Jimmy Sammons- LHP/OF, Finneytown HS, Cincinnati, OH.
Jimmy is a talented two-way player who is only just now beginning to scratch the surface of his talent.  He has an electric arm that will be showcased on the mound as he competes for a spot in the starting rotation.  When not on the mound, Jimmy will be looked upon to play a corner outfield spot.  As a hitter, Jimmy shows a great deal of raw power and has a chance to hit with continued refinement.  Jimmy was named 1^st team all-Cincinnati Hills League during his senior year.  He was a four-year letterman in baseball and also played football and basketball at Finneytown.  Jimmy is the son of Christine and Lee.

Camden Sauls- OF, Tippecanoe HS, Tipp City, OH.
Camden is an excellent athlete who shows a tremendous amount of bat speed.  He will hit a lot of doubles and homeruns over the course of his career at Shawnee State.  Camden also is an excellent runner and will be an offensive threat every time he steps on the field.  He also shows a great aptitude for playing n the outfield.  Camden really knows how to go get a fly ball.  During his senior season, Camden was named the Central Buckeye Conference Player of the Year and 1^st-team All State.  He was also selected to the Mizuno All-Ohio Team.  He hit .383 with 11 homeruns during that senior season.  Camden is the son of Pam and Matt Sauls.

Jordan Stum- INF, Tippecanoe HS, Tipp City, OH.
Joining Sauls is teammate Jordan Stum.  An infielder and leadoff man at Tippecanoe, Jordan shows great leadership and toughness when he takes the field; both qualities that are desired at SSU.  He is very good at putting together good at-bats and making routine plays when on defense.  Jordan is going to be a very good player in our program.  During his senior year, Jordan was named 1^st team all-Central Buckeye Conference in which he hit .396 with 12 doubles.  He also earned the All State Good Hands Award and was on the CBC All Academic Team in his junior and senior years. 

Travis Taylor- UTL, Western Brown HS, Mt. Orab, OH.
Travis is the true definition of a utility player.  He can play all nine positions on the field and is probably the best overall athlete in this class.  He shows great speed and arm strength and will be asked to hold down many different spots for us due to his versatility.  Offensively, Travis’ athleticism will help him make a quick adjustment to the college game, so we expect to see great things from him soon.  Travis was a three sport star at Western Brown in baseball, basketball, and football; in which he was named the team captain of all those teams.  He was an all league performer in his senior season as a baseball player and was named all-SW District as a quarterback.  Travis is the son of Eddie Taylor.

Jordan Williams- RHP, Green HS, Uniontown, OH.
Jordan comes to us as a side arm pitcher that has a great deal of success at the high school level.  We expect to see him contribute to the program here right away, whether that is as a closer or a starter.  He has a live arm and is a great pickup for this pitching staff.  Jordan is the high school teammate of Joe Gonser, who is a catcher in this year’s class.  Jordan was named 2^nd-team all league, 1^st-Akron Beacon Journal, and to the Northeast Ohio Baseball Coaches Association All Star Team during his senior year.  During that year, he lead his team to the state Final Four and compiled a 1.74 ERA.  Jordan is the son of Lisa and Jack Williams.

Jordie Wonderleigh- INF, Zane Trace HS, Chillicothe, OH.
Jordie is an explosive offensive player who should be able to flourish as a hitter here at SSU.  He already has the ability to hit for power and shows a good, consistent stroke that will play against college pitching.  He was a shortstop in high school but probably profiles best as a corner infielder or outfielder in college.  We are very glad to be adding Jordie to the class.