SALEM, W.Va. – Salem University baseball coach Addison Rouse has announced that 14 student-athletes have signed with the Tigers for the 2019-20 season.
 
Rouse on the recruiting class, "This early recruiting class is deep and has addressed a ton of overall needs. By far the biggest early signing we've ever had at Salem, and we believe it's a testament to the success we've had in building this program. Coach Gyorkos and I had two goals for the early period, increase the depth and increase the talent level. We have achieved both and we couldn't be more pleased. This a group of kids who are hungry to be Tigers and were all in throughout the entire recruiting process. We beat out some good programs for these guys, which is always a testament to your success, and it will be fun to watch them develop and contribute to the future of Tigers baseball."
 
Rouse added, "It was also a total team effort. Coach Gyorkos was on the road all summer long and played a significant role in this early signing. Also, of both graduate assistants (Travis Owens and Jonathan Mata) were heavily involved in the on-campus process, spearheading tours and answering all academic questions. Collectively, they have done a tremendous job."
 
Last season the Tigers finished with an overall record of 19-16-1, the best NCAA win percentage in the school's baseball history.
 
Trey Hissam - HS: East Fairmont - Hometown – Fairmont, W.Va. -Summer Team: Appalachian A's - Position: C
 
Why Hissam chose Salem: "It's always been my dream to play at the college level and the direction of the program is exciting.  The coaches and the guys on the team have made me feel like part of the family from the get-go! Go Tigers!"
 
Rouse on Hissam: "We are extremely excited to add Trey to the family. We have known Trey for over two years and seen a complete transformation physically and in his maturity level. He has the ability and drive to compete at this level right away and is without question, going to be a future leader for us."
 
Gabriel Figueroa - HS – Archbishop Coleman Carroll - Hometown: Miami, Fla. - Position – OF/RHP
 
Why Figueroa chose Salem: "The first time I read about Salem University I was attracted to the one class a month program but when I visited I felt welcomed by the people, Coach Rouse, and the school staff and by the end of the weekend I knew where I belonged."
 
Rouse on Figueroa – "Gabriel is a true two way player out of Florida that we are extremely excited about. His high school team went 26-2 last season (state semifinals). He's a really good athlete that brings a lot of value to the baseball field. He's a good runner, which fits our style, he can swing it, and will help us on the mound immediately with a fastball that was up to 84 a year ago."
 
JJ Carr - HS – Central Crossing  - Hometown – Grove City, Ohio - Position – CIF/RHP
 
Why Carr chose Salem: "I chose Salem because the campus felt like home. Coach Rouse and Coach Gyorkos were very welcoming, and they put a large emphasis on developing their players to be the best baseball players, students, and people that they could possibly be."
 
Rouse on Carr: "One of our first commits in this class who comes from an elite summer program where we have developed a great pipeline, the Midwest Marlins.  We watched him multiple times this summer, and he impressed us every time out. JJ is college ready and will contribute immediately. He has a ton of upside on the mound and offensively."
 
 
Michael Dolberry - HS – Prince George  - Hometown – Prince George, Va. - Position – MIF
 
Dolberry is 5A Baseball State Champion that has spent his past Travel seasons with the Virginia Cardinals.
 
Rouse on Dolberry: "Michael is a winner with next level tools. Was a state champion, and plays for one of the most prestigious summer programs on the east coast, so the pedigree is there. He's also tremendously skilled, and we believe he could be an everyday starter for four years."
 
Tye Imeson - Hometown – London, Ontario- Summer Team – Great Lakes Canadians - Position – INF
 
Why Imeson chose Salem: "Choosing to commit to Salem was an easy choice for my family and me to make. Getting down on campus was what really sold me on the way this program works. Coach Addy and Coach G welcomed my parents and me with open arms and a ton of enthusiasm. Being told I'll be given a chance to play from the start of my freshman year was a big factor for me and the excitement both coaches had to get me down there. Also, the education standpoint is extremely beneficial for any kid that chooses to go to Salem, they set you up for success with the way they do things and there was no way I could turn that offer down. I'm excited to get down there next year in the fall and get started and hopefully, we can add a few championships to the Tigers' record while I'm there."
 
Rouse on Imeson: "Huge pick up from one of the best summer programs in Canada. Coach Gyorkos saw him this summer and immediately fell in love with his skill set. He is a quick twitch, smooth athlete that will have a chance to impact baseball games for four years. He is definitely an 'our kinda guy,' and we can't wait to watch him the ball."
 
Cameron Pina - HS – Morton Ranch - Hometown – Katy, Texas - Position – Utility/C
 
Why Pina chose Salem: "The reason I picked Salem is that they have a great coaching staff and they made me feel like it was home. I'm excited to get to work next year"
 
Rouse on Pina: "We are thrilled to add Cameron to our family. He came up this fall and worked out for us, and he can do so much to impact a baseball game. He's undersized and scrappy but gets the absolute most out of his ability. Can play infield, outfield, and catch so it will be a lot of fun to see where he sticks when he arrives on campus."
 
Reece MacLeish - Hometown – Kanata, Ontario - Summer Team – Ottawa Knights  - Position – RHP/C/ INF
 
Why MacLeish chose Salem: "I chose Salem University because the coaching staff focuses their attention on improving their players both on and off the field. As well, Salem has an excellent education system which will be beneficial for me and other players."
 
Rouse on MacLeish: "We are very excited about Reece. He's a jack of all trades. Plays a little infield, catches, and can pitch. We think his best baseball is ahead of him and will find a niche somewhere with his versatile skill set."
 
Trace Ruff - HS – Bloom Carroll - Hometown – Lancaster, Ohio - Position – Utility
 
Rouse on Ruff: "Trace is a kid with a big-time tool, and that's his bat. Another Midwest Marlins player who will come well coached and ready to play at this level. Watched him several times this summer and he just never got out. Uses the entire field, has some juice, and has a great feel for hitting. His bat will undoubtedly get him in the lineup early in his career."
 
Colby Farris - HS – Berkeley Springs - Hometown – Berkeley Springs, W.Va. - Position – C
 
Why Farris chose Salem: "I chose Salem because when I came and visited it felt like home. Coach Rouse has helped me a ton through this process and I can't wait to become a Tiger!"
 
Rouse on Farris: "Colby is a kid we found out about through a good friend in the business Tom Davis who runs a recruiting service. Tom raved about Colby's makeup and skill set, sent us footage, and we immediately decided that this is a kid from WV that we needed to have."
 
Andrew Paradise - HS – Charles M Russell - Hometown – Great Falls, Mont. - Position – Utility
 
Why Paradise chose Salem: "I choose Salem University for how the academics are structured.  I like the one class a month focus as it will allow me to gain much greater knowledge on each subject since I will be focused on one at a time.  I also really liked how the coaching staff made me feel like part of the program even before I made my decision by checking to see how things were going with my fall club and with school.  To me, it showed they do really do care about the whole person and not just about me playing baseball for them."
 
Rouse on Paradise: "Andrew is a kid who comes to us all the way from Montana. I was attracted to Andrew because this is an area where I coached for five summers. Kids from this area are hardnosed and gritty ball players. Andrew is that type of player and the type of kid who will make our program better."
 
AJ Marini - HS – Port Chester – Hometown - Port Chester, N.Y. - Position – MIF
 
Why Marini chose Salem: "I chose Salem because of the "culture" implemented by the coaches and the love for competition. Meeting the coaches for the first time and watching how practice was run showed me something special is among this group of guys and I wanted to be a part of it. Something inside just spoke to me saying "this feels like home".
 
Rouse on Marini: "AJ is a kid that I saw late in the summer and was attracted to him because he fits all the look tests. He's a great athlete, runs well, and has the tools that standout at a showcase. Watching him play live validated these tools, and we believe he's a kid who will carve out a great career here at Salem."
 
Damon Wheeler – HS Maysville – Hometown - South Zanesville, Ohio - Position – CIF/C
 
Why Wheeler chose Salem: "I chose Salem because as soon as I stepped on campus it just felt like I was home. After I met the coaches I knew it was the place for me."
 
Rouse on Wheeler: "Really excited about adding Damon to the family. Another Midwest Marlin who has a tool we all look for from a hitter, and that's power. He has big-time juice that will translate to the collegiate level. When his defense catches up, Damon has a chance to be a special player."
 
Jaryd Lund - HS-Saunders - Hometown – London, Ontario - Club Team-London Badgers U18 - Position- LHP
 
Rouse on Lund: "Jaryd is your prototypical lefty that will be a great fit for how we manage our bullpen. He's crafty, mixes well, and throws multiple pitches for strikes. He has great command and will be able to carve out a role early in his career."
 
Isaiah Heigh - Juco - CCBC Catonsville - Hometown – North Beach, Md. - Position – 1B
 
Rouse on Heigh: "Isaiah is a kid who recruited himself and we are thrilled that he did. Reached out to us, and we pursued the lead. He is mature and displays a high level of character, which is exactly what you need from a transfer coming in. Not to mention, he's big, physical, and can hit it a long way."