Murray State University Athletics
Skirka Signs Seven in First Recruiting Class
11/16/2018 9:12:00 AM | Baseball
In his first recruiting class as Murray State head baseball coach, Dan Skirka has signed seven players that will join the team for the 2020 season.
The seven new Racers include Landon Hunt (Waterford, Michigan), Bryce Jenkins (Knoxville, Tennessee), Ryan Fender (Crown Point, Indiana), Jordyn Naranjo (Clinton, Kentucky), Cayden Shaver (Danville, Kentucky), Carter Poiry (Fishers, Indiana), and Kevin Dowling (Chicago, Illinois).
"We are very excited about this signing class, as it fills immediate needs and adds great depth," Skirka said. "My assistants knocked it out of the park in not only getting talented players, but great students, workers and teammates. I cannot wait to add this class to our strong core we already have in place. I am extremely happy for our signees and their families."
Landon Hunt - Catcher -Â Cuyahoga Community College - Waterford, Michigan
"We loved a lot of things about Landon, but the thing that stood out was his leadership skills on the field and with the pitching staff. Â That's something we truly value in catchers. Add that to the fact he is physical and can do some damage with the bat and we are excited he is joining our Racer family."
Bryce Jenkins - Right-Handed Pitcher/Outfielder - Hardin Valley Academy - Knoxville, Tennessee
"Bryce is a dynamic athlete with a very competitive nature. Â On the mound he has a great two pitch mix. At the plate he is a plus runner and has some sneaky power."
Ryan Fender - Right-Handed Pitcher - Crown Point High School - Crown Point, Indiana
"Ryan is what you look for in a pitcher, big 6'3" 200-pound frame, loose arm, with a downhill fastball and off-speed that has continued to improve. Â We look for him to develop quickly under pitching coach Tanner Gordon's guidance."
Jordyn Naranjo - Left-Handed Pitcher - Graves County High School - Clinton, Kentucky
"Jordyn is an exceptional two sport athlete with a championship pedigree. Â On the mound, he got better every time we saw him from last summer to this fall."
Cayden Shaver - Catcher - Danville High School - Danville, Kentucky
"Cayden is a big physical athlete with some power at the plate. He has just started his catching career, and will play 1B/OF as well. Â He has a chance to be a force in the middle of the lineup for us during his years here at Murray."
Carter Poiry - Right-Handed Pitcher - Lincoln Trail College - Fishers, Indiana
"Carter possesses the competitiveness and maturity that you are looking for in a junior college transfer. Â He wants the ball in his hand and has the stuff to shut hitters down."
Kevin Dowling - Outfielder - Mount Carmel High School - Chicago, Illinois
"Kevin has all the tools to be a great outfielder. Â Â The thing we love about Kevin is his speed really plays during the game, tracking balls in the outfield, getting out of the box quickly and flying around the bases."
The seven new Racers include Landon Hunt (Waterford, Michigan), Bryce Jenkins (Knoxville, Tennessee), Ryan Fender (Crown Point, Indiana), Jordyn Naranjo (Clinton, Kentucky), Cayden Shaver (Danville, Kentucky), Carter Poiry (Fishers, Indiana), and Kevin Dowling (Chicago, Illinois).
"We are very excited about this signing class, as it fills immediate needs and adds great depth," Skirka said. "My assistants knocked it out of the park in not only getting talented players, but great students, workers and teammates. I cannot wait to add this class to our strong core we already have in place. I am extremely happy for our signees and their families."
Landon Hunt - Catcher -Â Cuyahoga Community College - Waterford, Michigan
"We loved a lot of things about Landon, but the thing that stood out was his leadership skills on the field and with the pitching staff. Â That's something we truly value in catchers. Add that to the fact he is physical and can do some damage with the bat and we are excited he is joining our Racer family."
Bryce Jenkins - Right-Handed Pitcher/Outfielder - Hardin Valley Academy - Knoxville, Tennessee
"Bryce is a dynamic athlete with a very competitive nature. Â On the mound he has a great two pitch mix. At the plate he is a plus runner and has some sneaky power."
Ryan Fender - Right-Handed Pitcher - Crown Point High School - Crown Point, Indiana
"Ryan is what you look for in a pitcher, big 6'3" 200-pound frame, loose arm, with a downhill fastball and off-speed that has continued to improve. Â We look for him to develop quickly under pitching coach Tanner Gordon's guidance."
Jordyn Naranjo - Left-Handed Pitcher - Graves County High School - Clinton, Kentucky
"Jordyn is an exceptional two sport athlete with a championship pedigree. Â On the mound, he got better every time we saw him from last summer to this fall."
Cayden Shaver - Catcher - Danville High School - Danville, Kentucky
"Cayden is a big physical athlete with some power at the plate. He has just started his catching career, and will play 1B/OF as well. Â He has a chance to be a force in the middle of the lineup for us during his years here at Murray."
Carter Poiry - Right-Handed Pitcher - Lincoln Trail College - Fishers, Indiana
"Carter possesses the competitiveness and maturity that you are looking for in a junior college transfer. Â He wants the ball in his hand and has the stuff to shut hitters down."
Kevin Dowling - Outfielder - Mount Carmel High School - Chicago, Illinois
"Kevin has all the tools to be a great outfielder. Â Â The thing we love about Kevin is his speed really plays during the game, tracking balls in the outfield, getting out of the box quickly and flying around the bases."
Tuesday, September 15
Sunday, September 13
Friday, September 11
Tuesday, September 08
