BEAUMONT – Made up of five area high school players, Lamar University Baseball head coach Will Davis inked a class of 17 for the 2018 season that ranks as one of the best in the country, the program announced Thursday. The group added was signed during the early signing period.
“I really wanted to make this my first big, true freshman class, and I certainly think we’ve done that with 11 quality guys that we can build a future with. We also felt like we needed to supplement that with some talented, experienced arms, and we’ve done that as well,” said Davis, who opens his first season at the helm on February 17.
“All 11 of our high school guys are either from the Southeast Texas or Houston areas,” he added. “We all know that our area and Houston are very fertile grounds for baseball.”
According to Perfect Game, Lamar’s high school class ranks 80th in the nation and is the top class in the Southland Conference, and the only league program added to the PG Top 100. Its class sits one spot behind a national power in Rice and ahead of nearby Houston.
“Of course you have to win games when they get here, but recruiting great talent is a great way to start,” said Davis. “I learned early on that Lamar is a place you can recruit a Top 100 class and be at the top of the league. Because we have that ability, we want to maximize it. We’ve started to do that and I think it will only get better with this momentum going.”
Davis and staff signed three athletes from the Midcounty Madness rivalry, including both Brendan Dunkleberger and Chase Kemp of Nederland and Logan LeJeune of Port Neches-Groves
Dunkleberger, a 6-3 right-handed pitcher, was twice named to a Perfect Game All-American team, both with his 17U and 16U teams. With the Bulldogs, he was voted all-district during his junior season as a pitcher. He was named All-District 22-5A his freshman year and was the Newcomer of the Year.
Kemp, 6-1 a first baseman and left-handed pitcher, was the District 22-5A Hitter of the Year last season. He’s a three-time all-District first baseman and was also an all-district pitcher in 2016.
PNG product Logan LeJeune joined those two and will come in as a District 22-5A champion and first-team all-district second baseman last season. He’s helped his Indians to back-to-back district championships, looking for a third in his final campaign. The outfielder was listed as a first-team all-district utility player in 2015. LeJeune is also a football standout.
Chase Partian, a 6-3 pitcher from Silsbee, is a two-time first-team all-district honoree and two different positions, pitcher and utility. He was named all-district honorable mention in his freshman year. With a .429 batting average last year, he led the Tigers to the regional quarterfinals and was a member of the regional finals team his freshman season after a 32-9 campaign.
Chet Jones, a catcher and right-handed pitcher from Kirbyville, hit for a .326 average during his junior year with 33 runs batted in and 16 runs scored, but his performance on the mound overshadowed that with a 7-1 record and a 2.37 earned run average in 11 appearances. He struck out 104 batters. Through his three year career on the hill, he’s recorded a 14-6 record and 2.80 ERA. At the plate he’s hit for a .301 average, but his best is .343 his sophomore year, which led him to being named the offensive MVP.
Rhett McCall, Barbers Hill, is a first-team all-district catcher and district defensive MVP after an outstanding junior season, in which he hit .370. He was also voted All-Greater Houston Area as a third-team member. He was also a third-team district catcher in 2015 after .312 batting average and two long balls. He’s helped his team to the playoffs in each of his seasons as a varsity member, and is an academic all-district honoree as well.
Cole Secrest, an outfielder from The Woodlands, was a first-team all-district performer last season and has led the Highlanders to a 41-27 record as a member of the varsity squad. Born Vincent Cole Secrest, he was also a football letterman and member of the National Honor Society.
Marcus Olivarez was named as a first-team all-district outfielder last season, and is a two-time academic all-district honoree. He signed as an outfielder and right-handed pitcher from Columbus.
Avery George (Humble) is a three-year letterman and was a second-team all-district third baseman, but signed as an outfielder for the Cardinals. The right-handed batter is coached by David Sitton.
Charles Peacock signed as a right-handed pitcher and a three-year letterwinner from Dickinson High School. He and his Gator squad are coached by Chris Cauley.
Tyrese Clayborne, a middle infielder and outfielder from Humble, is a teammate with fellow signee Avery George. Clayborne was mentioned as a Perfect Game 2016 Underclass Honorable Mention honoree. The 5-5 athlete has tremendous speed.
Two junior college signees played in the Texas-New Mexico All-Star Game, Adrian Cook and Erik Key.
Cook, from Coastal Bend College, started 10 games and recorded 2.33 earned run average in 38 2/3 innings pitched with 43 strikeouts. At Victoria HS, Cook was a standout football and baseball player, and was a state finalist on gridiron his senior season. On the diamond, he had 82 total strikeouts in 75 innings of work.
Key had a 2-1 record and a save in 20 1/3 innings at Panola Junior College. His season spanned 14 appearances, in which he finished with 21 strikeouts.
Kristjan Storrie is a Canadian native but was signed out of Galveston as a right-handed pitcher. He notched three saves and a 3-4 record from the bullpen in 21 appearances. In his 21 2/3 innings, he struck out 20 batters.
Jason Blanchard, signed out of McLennan after transferring from Rhode Island. At URI, he made eight appearances with three starts, and recorded 13 punch outs in 13.2 innings of work. He finished his career at Kingwood Park HS with a 17-5 record and a 0.99 ERA under Bruce Cox. The pitcher was a two-time first-team all-district winner selection and was added to the All-Greater Houston list.
Doug Palmer helped Brookhaven to the regional finals as a starter and pitched 54 1/3 innings over a span of 16 games. He finished his season with 68 strikeouts.
Caleb Dean, who is already on campus but must sit out due to transfer rules, joins the Cardinals after a successful stint at Hill College. At Hill, he ranked sixth in the country and topped Texas with 22 home runs and led it to a third place regional finish. At Harker Heights HS, Dean was a two-time first-team all-district pitcher and all-area second baseman. He finished his senior season with a .375 batting average and .534 slugging percentage.
“Recruiting is a team effort, and we put a lot of time and effort into finding this class and hit the road hard,” said Davis.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the job that Scotty Hatten did. He was given the recruiting coordinator title in June and has really run with it,” he added. “With my wife and I having our first child in September, he really picked up the slack. Scotty did a great job identifying talent and getting it on campus.”
In all, the Cardinals signed seven pitchers, four outfielders, a catcher and four dual athletes – which span the infield and behind the plate.
SIGNEE BIOS:
Chase Partain | 6-3 | 190 | INF/RHP | Silsbee, Texas (Silsbee HS)
High School:
• Two-time first-team all-district honoree, at two different positions (utility and pitcher).
• All-district honorable mention his freshman season.
• Advanced to the regional finals his freshman season on a 32-9 team record.
• District champion his junior year and led the Tigers to the regional quarterfinals.
• Hit .429 his junior season.
• Three-sport letterwinner in football, baseball and golf.
• Member of the National Honor Society.
Personal:
• Son of Sabrina and Charles Partain.
• Has one brother, Chance.
• Born Sept. 28, 1998.
• Wants to major in engineering and work in the field.
Charles Peacock | 6-0 | 198 |RHP | Dickinson, Texas (Dickinson HS)
High School:
• Three-year letterman.
• Coached by Chris Cauley.
Personal:
• Son of Sharron Morris Peacock and Scott Peacock.
• One sister, Morgan Merriman.
• Born July 12, 1999.
• Wants to major in construction management.
• Hopes to play as far as he can in baseball, then develop a career in construction.
Logan LeJeune | 5-10 | 190 | OF | Port Neches, Texas | Port-Neches Groves HS
High School:
• First-team all-district second baseman at PNG his junior year and helped the Indians to a district championship.
• Notched back-to-back district championships after winning the first his sophomore season.
• Was a first-team all-district utility player sophomore year.
• Also a football standout football player as well being named all-state as a safety.
• Four-year letterwinner in football and three years in baseball.
• Member of the St. Elizabeth youth group.
Personal:
• Son of Amy and David LeJeune.
• On sister, Libbie.
• Born September 19, 1998.
• Wants to major in physical therapy.
• After his career in baseball is over, wants to practice physical therapy.
Cole Secrest | 6-0 | 190 | OF | Conroe, Texas (The Woodlands HS)
High School:
• Voted as a first-team all-district outfielder after his junior season.
• Helped The Woodlands to a 41-27 record as a varsity player.
• One-year letterman in football.
• Member of the National Honor Society.
Personal:
• Son of Diane and Vince Seacrest.
• One brother, Caden.
• Born June 17, 1998.
• Wants to major in engineering and plans to work in that field.
• Nicknamed Vince.
Chet Jones | 6-0 | 170 | C/RHP | Kirbyville, Texas (Kirbyville HS)
High School:
• Was his team’s newcomer of the year his freshman year, offensive MVP sophomore season and pitcher of the year junior season.
• Hit for a .343 batting average and 24 RBI in 2015 and punched out 104 with a 2.37 ERA in 2016.
• Led the Wildcats to a 23-7-1 record his junior season and he notched seven of the wins on the mound.
• Has a varsity record of 14-6 and a 2.80 ERA.
• At the plate, he has a varsity .301 record with 70 RBI and 45 runs scored.
• Hit .326 his junior season with 16 runs, one home run and 33 RBI.
Personal:
• Son of Jody and Randy Jones.
• Three sisters, Laryssa, Molly and Ali.
• Born July 17, 1998.
• Majoring in pre-physical therapy.
Rhett McCall | 6-0 | 180 | C | Mont Belvieu, Texas (Barbers Hill HS)
High School:
• Voted as the first-team all-district catcher and district defensive MVP his junior season.
• Hit .370 his junior year and was also added to the All-Great Houston Area as a third-team member.
• A third-team all-district catcher his sophomore season after a .312 batting average and two homers.
• Helped his team to a 12th place ranking on a 28-9 record – made it to the fourth round of the playoffs.
• Made it to the playoffs each season as a varsity member.
• Lettered in football and baseball.
• Member of the National Honor Society.
• Also an Academic All-District honoree.
Personal:
• Son of Tammy and Kerg McCall.
• One brother, Kade.
• Born Oct. 31, 1998.
• Expects to major in business management.
Chase Kemp | 6-1 | 210 | 1B/LHP | Nederland, Texas (Nederland HS)
High School:
• The District 22-5A Hitter of the Year his junior season.
• First-team all-district as a first baseman his sophomore season.
• Was the District MVP his freshman season.
• Four-year letterman in baseball.
Personal:
• Son of Rikki and Brian Kemp.
• Two brothers, Conner and Chance.
• One sister, Logan.
• Born Dec. 12, 1998.
• Wants to major in business.
Brendan Dunkleberger | 6-3 | 175 | RHP | Port Neches, Texas (Nederland HS)
High School:
• Voted all-district and was a member of the Perfect Game’s WWBA 17U All-American honorable mention team.
• Named to the 16 and under PG All-American Team honorable mention team as well his sophomore season.
• Added to the 22-5A All-District team and was the Newcomer of the Year his freshman season.
• Helped his team to the playoffs his freshman and sophomore seasons.
Personal:
• Son of Kristi and Blake Dunkleberger.
• Two sister, Brooklyn and Brylee.
• Born Sept. 24, 1998.
• Majoring in engineering.
Avery George | 6-1 | 170 | OF | Humble, Texas (Humble HS)
High School:
• Second-team all-district third baseman and helped his team to a 15-12 record.
• Three-year letterman in baseball.
Personal:
• Son of Angela and Christopher George.
• One brother, Kendall.
• One sister, Brea.
• Born July29, 1999.
• Nicknamed George.
• Wants to major in physical therapy and English.
Marcus Olivarez | 6-3 | 170 | RHP/OF | Columbus, Texas (Columbus HS)
High School:
• First-team all-district outfielder junior season.
• Two-time academic all-district honoree.
• Helped his team to the playoffs twice, including two rounds deep last year.
• Member of the National Honor Society and FFA.
• Three-year letterman in baseball.
Personal:
• Son of Tracey and David Olivarez.
• Two sisters, Madi and Molly.
• Born Sept. 12, 1998.
• Nicknamed Olly.
• Plans to major in mechanical engineering.
Adrian Cook | 6-2 | 215 | RHP | Victoria, Texas (Coastal Bend College/Victoria HS)
Prior to Lamar:
• Started 10 games for Coastal Bends and recorded a 2.33 earned run average in 38.2 innings pitched.
• Also had 43 strikeouts.
• Played in the 2016 Texas-New Mexico All-Star Game.
• Member of the Dean’s List.
High School:
• Three-year letterman in football and was a three-time Area Champion and state finalist his senior year.
• Recorded 82 strikeouts in 75 innings of work.
• Member of the A-B honor roll.
Personal:
• Son of Blanca and Brandon Cook.
• One brother, Hunter.
• One sister, Ariel.
• Born Aug. 17, 1996.
• Majoring in chemical engineering.
• Wants to work in the oil and gas industry.
Doug Palmer | 6-4 | 205 | RHP | Argyle, Texas (Brookhaven)
Prior to Lamar:
• Led his team as regional runner-up.
• Appeared in 16 games with three saves and 54.1 innings pitched.
• Struck out 68 batters.
Personal:
• Son of Becky and Douglas Palmer, both teachers.
• One brother, Dylan.
• One sister, Suzette.
• Born Douglas Earl Palmer III on May 31, 1996.
• Wants to major in finance.
Kristjan Storrie | 6-3 | 205 | RHP | Langley, British Columbia (Galveston College/Langley Secondary School)
Prior to Lamar:
• Had a 3-4 record and three saves in 21 appearances (21.2 innings).
• Had 20 strikeouts.
• Helped his team to a 34-25 record.
• Member of the Dean’s List.
High School:
• Four-year letterwinner in baseball.
• Listed on the honor roll.
Personal:
• Son of Kara Mazer and Shawn Storrie.
• One sister, Kianna.
• Born Jan. 23, 1997 as Kristjan Joshua Storrie.
Erik Key | 6-2 | 210 | RHP | Fort Worth, Texas (Panola JC)
Prior to Lamar:
• Played in the Texas-New Mexico All-Star Game.
• Recorded a 2-1 record with one save in 20.1 innings.
• Notched 21 strikeouts in 14 appearances.
Personal:
• Son of Joyce and Russell Key.
• Two brothers, Evan and Ethan.
• Ethan won state as a part of the Special Olympics.
• Expects to major in business and wants a job at the Syngenta agriculture company.
• Born Sept. 19, 1996 as Erik Ian Key.
Jason Blanchard | 6-0 | 175 | LHP | Kingwood, Texas (McLennan CC/Kingwood Park HS)
Prior to Lamar:
• Transferred from Rhode Island to McLennan.
• Made eight appearances at URI with three starts.
• Recorded 13 strikeouts in 13.2 innings.
High School:
• Recorded a 17-5 pitching record with a 0.99 ERA playing for Coach Bruce Cox.
• Two-time first-team all-district selection.
• First-team all-area and all-Greater Houston selection.
• Member of the National Honor Society.
Personal:
• Son Cheryl Brewer and Jason Blanchard.
• Two brothers, Sean and Skyler.
• Two sisters, Leigh and Courtney.
• Jason Randall Blanchard on June 25, 1997.
• Plans to major in economics.
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