Online Roster
KENNESAW, Ga. - Head Coach
Mike Sansing and the Kennesaw State baseball staff have been hard at work adding eight transfers and three incoming freshman to complete the Owls' roster for the upcoming 2021 season.
The Owls add plenty of depth to their bullpen with the addition of seven pitchers, including transfers from Presbyterian, Gordon State College, and the University of North Carolina. The class also includes four infielders with seven of the additions locally grown right here in the Peach State.
Donovan Cash | Fr. | INF | Northgate HS | Sharpsburg, Ga.
Another local product out of Sharpsburg, Ga., Cash played his prep ball at Northgate High School under the tutelage of Head Coach Todd Herrington. Cash played his summer ball with the Sox Baseball Club out of Senoia, Ga. Originally committed to Tennessee Tech, he ranks among the top-250 nationally and is the 11th ranked third baseman out of Georgia.
Sansing on Cash "Donovan comes to KSU from Northgate High School. In 2019, Cash proved to be one of the most dangerous hitters on the prep circuit boasting some of the best power numbers among all players in Perfect Game events. We are excited about the addition of Donovan who along with having big offensive/power potential has shown himself to be a good defender at third base as well."
Jake Coro | Gr. | INF | Southern New Hampshire University | Johnston HS | Johnston, R.I.
A grad transfer from SNHU, Coro made 99 appearances for the Penmen at second base. He finished his career with a .248 batting average, recording 73 total hits, including 14 doubles, four triples and seven home runs. He tallied 44 RBIs and 59 runs scored throughout his tenure, adding 24 stolen bases. On the defensive side, Coro logged 87 total putouts and 62 assists across his four seasons. Helped the Penmen to a combined 81-32 record throughout the 2018 and 2019 seasons with an appearance in the DII College World Series in 2018 and the Super Regionals in 2019.
Sansing on Coro "Jake is another player who brings a ton of experience as a grad transfer. He may be the fastest guy in the program and combines that speed with some left-handed pop as well. He led the prestigious New England League in stolen bases two years ago while being an All Star."
Andrew Grogan | Gr. | RHP | North Carolina | Chipola College | Cumming, Ga.
A graduate transfer from UNC, Grogan made 21 appearances on the mound for the Tarheels in 2019. He finished the year with a 4-2 record while throwing 34 strikeouts. Prior to his time in North Carolina, Grogan helped lead Chipola College to a JUCO World Series title in 2017 and 2018. Grogan went 8-2 on the mound for the Indians in 2018 with 97 strikeouts to earn Panhandle Conference Pitcher of the Year and FCSAA first team All-State honors.
Sansing on Grogan "Like all the other grad transfers Andrew brings a ton of experience including a ton of postseason experience both at Chipola Junior College and UNC. He was the ace of the 2018 Chipola National Championship team. His big game experience will be valuable to this year's staff."
Daniel Haab | Fr. | C/OF | Norcross HS | Peachtree Corners, Ga.
Ranked 220th nationally, Haab is the No. 21 catcher out of the state of Georgia. Heading to KSU after playing his prep career at Norcross High School under the direction of Head Coach Aaron Wilkens. Haab also played club ball with the Georgia Bombers.
Sansing on Haab "Daniel comes to KSU from Norcross High School and played his travel ball for the Georgia Bombers under the leadership of Wes Rynders. Daniel is a player that has a lot of versatility and ability to play several different positions. That combined with his advanced hitting ability made him a great fit for the Owls."
Jake Haynes | Fr. | RHP | Buford HS | Auburn, Ga.
Haynes comes to Kennesaw from Buford High School, playing under the direction of Head Coach Stuart Chester. According to perfectgame.org, he is ranked as one of the top 500 players in the country and one of the top 40 right-handed pitchers in the state of Georgia.
Sansing on Haynes "Jake comes to KSU from Buford High School where he played under the direction of Stuart Chester. Jake is a player that we had the opportunity to see throw on our field a few times in prep events. We were very impressed by his upside and pitch-ablity."
Dylan High | R-So. | RHP | Gordon State College | Central Carroll HS | Carollton, Ga.
Made 13 appearances in his two seasons with Gordon State, totaling 19.1 innings of work. Logged a career total of 27 strikeouts. Has a 1-0 record with his sole win coming against Cleveland State, throwing three strikeouts across two innings.
Sansing on High "Dylan High joins KSU as another Gordon State transfer who played for Coach McClanahan. He joins the Owls after posting a 1-0 record and an eye popping 14+ strikeouts per nine innings in his junior college career."
Kolby Johnson | R-So. | RHP | Gordon State College | Creekview HS | Ball Ground, Ga.
Another transfer out of Gordon State College, Johnson finished 2020 with a 1.42 ERA in his five appearances. Sporting a 7-1 record on the mound over his two seasons at GSC, 2-0 in 2020, Johnson has tallied 62 total strikeouts. Threw a career-high 11 Ks in five innings to earn the victory over LaGrange JV this past season.
Sansing on Johnson "Kolby comes to KSU from Gordon State where he will reunite with former teammates Jesse Sherrill, Dylan High, and Gavin Patel along with former coach Travis McClanahan, who will serve as his Pitching Coach. We are excited to add Kolby to the staff. He was one of the top-two pitchers in Georgia junior college along with Matt Thompson. We are excited that we were able to land both."
John Neeley | R-So. | RHP | Yavapai College | Mesa Mountain View HS | Mesa, Ariz.
Playing under Head Coach Ryan Cougill at Yavapai College, Neeley made 10 appearances on the mound for the Roughriders in 2020, finishing with a 2-0 record and one save. He tossed 26 strikeouts over his 23 innings pitched while logging a 1.57 ERA.
Sansing on Neeley "John comes to KSU from the West Coast and one of the top junior college programs in the country. Before the shutdown at Yavapi Neeley, he boasted a 2-0 record with a 1.57 ERA averaging over a strikeout an inning. John is another transfer arm in a pitching-rich class that is an impressive competitor. We are excited to see what he can do in Black and Gold."
Gavin Patel | R-So. | INF | Gordon State College | Colquitt HS | Moultrie, Ga.
A transfer out of Gordon State College, Patel saw action in 71 games throughout his two seasons. The Georgia native logged 64 total hits for a .322 career batting average while tallying 48 runs scored and 38 RBIs. Patel also stole 16 total bases. Playing across the infield at shortstop, second and third base, he's tallied 63 putouts and 160 assists while turning 30 double plays.
Sansing on Patel "Gavin comes to KSU where he will also reunite with former teammates Jesse Sherrill, Dylan High and Kolby Johnson along with former coach Travis McClanahan. Gavin is a plus defender at shortstop which will give us tremendous depth on the infield. In addition to his defensive prowess, he hit over .300 both years at Gordon State and proved to be a very tough person to strikeout."
Jake Rice | Gr. | RHP | Presbyterian | Gulf Coast CC | Birmingham, Ala.
Rice joins KSU after two seasons with Presbyterian. He finished his tenure at PC with a 1-4 record, making seven starts. Totaled 42 strikeouts over a combined 47.1 innings pitched. Made his Blue Hose debut by earning the victory over Alabama, allowing only three hits over five innings. Before joining Presbyterian, Rice played two seasons at Gulf Coast State College where he posted a 25-22 overall record while finishing 3rd in the FCSAA as he compiled 65 strikeouts.
Sansing on Rice "We are very excited about Jake. He brings a wealth of experience and all the tools needed to be a major contributor to this year's staff. He will remind many of former Owl great and current Arizona Diamondback Travis Bergen."
Anthony Rodriguez | Gr. | LHP | Maryville College | Archbishop Edward McCarthy HS | Miramar, Fla.
Heading to KSU after four seasons at Maryville College, Rodriguez has tallied 33 appearances, 25 starts, on the mound for the Scots. The Florida native is 7-10 on the mound with two saves. Rodriguez has fanned 128 total batters in his career, including 21 strikeouts in just 16.1 innings of work in 2020.
Sansing on Rodriguez "Anthony is a left-handed pitcher that possesses a low 90's fastball and has logged over 130 college innings with 128 strikeouts. He was off to a great start in 2020 before the shutdown, boasting an ERA in the 1's while averaging well over a strikeout an inning."
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