Alma, Mich. - Jake Sabol, head coach of the Alma College baseball team, announced that 18 student-athletes have committed to attend Alma College and play baseball for the Scots in the spring of 2017. Sabol's first recruiting class consists of 14 players from Michigan as well as two student-athletes from Canada and two from Texas.

"Trying to replace nine seniors with your first recruiting class as a head coach is not always easy, especially when all nine of those kids had a tremendous impact on our success this past season," Sabol said. "With the help of (assistant coaches) Jordan Dean and Jordan Adams, our staff did a tremendous job of identifying and recruiting student-athletes who are not only talented athletically, but are driven to succeed in the classroom and are thrilled to be a part of the exciting future of Alma Baseball."

Under Sabol's guidance, the baseball program put together a historic 2016 campaign, recording a school-record 28 wins and crossing the 20-win plateau for only the third time in the history of the program. The Scots finished second in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, their highest finish since 1999, and advanced to the MIAA Tournament for the first time since the tournament was introduced. In addition, Alma College eliminated perennial MIAA champion Adrian College from the postseason tournament, marking the Scots' first win over the Bulldogs since the 2008 season.

"Our number one priority in this class was to improve our overall depth with kids who want to be a part of something special," Sabol said. "We did that with this group of young men, and they will all come in with opportunities to compete this fall. I believe we have found a solid group to mix with our returning core in order to compete for championships in the near future."

The baseball team will participate in fall practices and is scheduled to open the 2017 campaign at the RussMatt Invitational in Florida beginning on February 26.

Following is the list of student-athletes that have committed to join the Scots for the upcoming season:

Vann Acker

Hometown: Eaton Rapids, Mich.
High School: Eaton Rapids High School
Position: Infielder

Highlights: Helped team to a pair of MHSAA District championships ... Two-time All-Capital Area Activities Conference selection and All-CAAC White pick ... Also earned all-region honors ... Played basketball at Eaton Rapids, helping team to a district championship while earning All-conference honors ... Received academic all-league recognition ...

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because it is a very nice academic school and Coach Sabol has a passion for baseball like I do. I can tell he is going in the right direction with this program."

Sabol on Acker: "The first thing we noticed when we watched Vann play was how good his hands were on defense. His defensive skills will make our defense better collectively as a unit and I am excited to see those skills play at the college level."

Ben Blake

Hometown: Sanford, Mich.
High School: Meridian High School
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher

Highlights: Played under coach Mark Novak ... Helped team to a pair of MHSAA District titles ... Four-time All-Jack Pine Conference First Team selection ... Also earned all-district honors in every season as well as all-region accolades as a senior ... Played football and basketball at Meridian and earned all-conference honorable mention laurels as a wide receiver during junior year ... Two-time academic all-state selection ... Graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because of the academic and athletic opportunities."

Sabol on Blake: "Ben comes to us heavily recommended by numerous quality coaches in the Michigan area. Being the number one on a very good high school team, we know Ben is a competitor on the mound. We are looking forward to seeing him compete against our guys in the fall."

Jay Brandt

Hometown: Grandville, Mich.
High School: Allendale High School
Position: Infielder

Highlights: Played under coach Ricky Clark ... Helped team to MHSAA district championship as a junior ... Named to the Ottawa-Kent Conference First Team as a shortstop.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because of the opportunity to continue my baseball career and because of the coaching staff."

Sabol on Brandt: "Jay is a very good athlete with the skills to play all over the infield. He has tremendous range and should compete for innings at three different infield spots. Jay has shown a desire to be a part of this program ever since he visited campus and we are glad he has decided to make Alma his destination."

Nick Ciesielski

Hometown: Milford, Mich.
High School: Milford High School
Position: Infielder

Highlights: Played under coaches Rob Hamilton and Spenser Adams ... Earned two letters in baseball ... Four-time recipient of the academic excellence award.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because of the small campus and class size as well as the opportunity to play baseball for an amazing coaching staff and an up-and-coming program."

Sabol on Ciesielski: "Nick is someone we think can impact the middle of our lineup for the next four years. His strong frame and aggressive swing fits perfectly into our approach at the plate and his work ethic has been raved about by numerous coaches. Nick has the chance to be a quality run producer in this lineup from day one as an Alma Scot."

Dylan Clark

Hometown: Tomball, Texas
High School: Tomball High School
Position: Right-handed pitcher

Highlights: Lettered in football and baseball as a senior at Tomball High School ... Helped team to the regional finals as a senior.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because Coach Sabol told me great things about this school."

Sabol on Clark: "Dylan is a kid who came recommended to us from a quality connection we have down in the Texas area. His desire to play for a competitive program year in and year out was an instant attraction to us as a coaching staff to go along with his low to mid 80s fastball."

Dylan Dzendzel

Hometown: Royal Oak, Mich.
High School: Royal Oak HS
Position: Left-Handed Pitcher

Highlights: Played baseball for two seasons, leaving the school as the Royal Oak's single-season and career leader for ERA, strikeouts, and wins ... Also played basketball for two seasons.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because it was the only school that offered everything that I needed."

Sabol on Dzendzel: "When I saw Dylan throw a complete game with three quality pitches for strikes against a very good opponent, I knew he would be a great fit for our pitching staff. He has good size and feel as a pitcher, and still has great upside."

Ben Finzel

Hometown: Saginaw, Mich.
High School: Swan Valley High School
College: University of South Carolina Salkehatchie
Position: Infielder
Jr.

Highlights: Transferring to Alma College after two years at the University of South Carolina - Salkehatchie ... Helped Swan Valley High School to conference championship in 2011 ... A two-time All-Tri-Valley Conference selection, earning second team honors as a sophomore and first team accolades as a senior ... Also received all-state second team recognition in final prep campaign ... Played football for Swan Valley, helping team to back-to-back MHSAA district titles as a junior and senior ... Earned First Team All-Tri Valley Conference Central Division honors as a senior and was named to the Mid-Michigan High School Sports Scene Dream Team as a fullback ... Member of the National Honor Society.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because of its great academics and baseball program."

Sabol on Finzel: "Ben's familiarity with the college game should allow him to immediately fit in with our current group this fall. His tremendous leadership skills and the intensity he plays with were two attributes that really excited us about Ben."

Cam Fluder

Hometown: Saginaw, Mich.
High School: Nouvel Catholic Central High School
Position: Outfielder

Highlights: Played under coaches Dave Horny and Dave Valesek ... Helped team to district championship and a 30-8-1 mark as a senior ... Also played football for two seasons, earning Saginaw News Offensive Player of the Week accolades. Graduated Cum Laude and was named to the faculty honor roll.

Why Alma?: "I chose Alma College because I loved the size of the campus and the direction that the baseball program is heading in."

Sabol on Fluder: "Adding Cam to our outfield mix is an exciting move for our program. His ability to play great defense combined with the way he constantly gets on base and plays with a high motor is the way we teach our guys to play the game. We think he will be a great fit in the maroon and cream."

Brandon Gallerson

Hometown: Plano, Texas
High School: Plano Senior High School
Position: Outfielder

Highlights: Helped Plano HS to a district championship ... Played for D-bat Tyler and Texas TCA Twins clubs in Texas ... Attended Collin College for one season following high school.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because of the amazing opportunities I had both athletically and academically."

Sabol on Gallerson: "Brandon has all the tools necessary to be an outstanding outfielder. He has great range and plus speed that allows him to cover ground like a natural centerfielder. We are excited that he has bought into the direction of our program and taken notice all the way from Texas."

Nathan Haut

Hometown: Midland, Mich.
High School: Midland High School
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher

Highlights: Played under coach Eric Albright for two seasons ... Also played tennis for four years ... Earned academic All-Valley and academic all-state honors as a junior and senior ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Graduated Magna Cum Laude. Father, Kenneth Haut, played football at Albion College.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because it offered a possibility to dual major in computer science and chemistry as well as having small class sizes."

Sabol on Haut: "Nathan will come to us with the opportunity to compete for innings this fall. He adds much needed depth to our pitching staff and has a tremendous work ethic. We think that with some quality time spent developing within our system, he could take off in our program."

Jaret Koin

Hometown: Sterling, Mich.
High School: Standish-Sterling Central High School
Position: Infielder/Outfielder

Highlights: Played under coach Steve Stodolak ... Helped team to a pair of North East Michigan Conference titles, as well as two MHSAA district championships ... Four-time first-team all-conference and all-district selection ... Also played basketball under Matt Koin and was part of a squad that won the NEMC crown ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Aunt, Stacey Koin, played softball at Western Michigan University.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because of the academic opportunities and the chance to play baseball."

Sabol on Koin: "Jaret has the ability to play all over the diamond, which is something we desperately were looking for while trying to build depth in our program. His athletic frame should give him the ability to see time at multiple positions for us throughout his time as a Scot."

Travis Moyer

Hometown: Portland, Mich.
High School: St. Patrick's High School
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher

Highlights: Four-sport athlete at Portland St. Patrick's High School, lettering in cross country, baseball, basketball and football ... earned First Team All-Central Michigan Athletics Conference honors in 2015 ... Was also an academic all-state selection in basketball in 2015.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because of its academic and athletic excellence."

Sabol on Moyer: "Travis has flown under the radar for most his career while playing for Portland St. Patrick's. His competitive mentality and impressive high school career are two things that attracted us towards Travis. We are excited to work with him as he has plenty of room to grow as a pitcher."

Josh Riggs

Hometown: Brethren, Mich.
High School: Brethren High School
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher/Infielder

Highlights: Played under coaches Jim Richardson, Logan Pennington and Roderick MacNeil ... Earned all-district and all-region honors as a junior and senior, as well as all-district academic accolades ... Played travel baseball for Blue Jays 16U Elite ... Also participated in basketball, cross country and track and field ... Received Basketball Coaches' Association of Michigan (BCAM) Academic All-State recognition as well as all-state honorable mention laurels as a senior ... Finalist for MHSAA Scholar-Athlete award ... Earned First Team All-Western Michigan D League honors as a junior and senior in basketball ... Finished third at the MHSAA state finals in the high jump as a junior and also qualified for the state meet in the shot put and discus. Earned all-conference first team honors in all three events ... All-conference athlete in cross country ... Earned academic all-conference award as a junior and senior ... Mother, Julie Riggs, participated in track and basketball at Alma College and was a member of the Scots' 1992 NCAA Division III championship team.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because it's small enough to feel like home."

Sabol on Riggs: "We were thrilled as a coaching staff when we were able to land Josh in this recruiting class. His size and arm strength make him an early favorite to compete for innings on the mound as a freshman, but it's his passion for the game and his competitive nature that really stood out throughout the recruiting process. His athleticism with his frame is tremendous and his work ethic is second to none. Josh will also have the opportunity to work as a two-way player for us, competing for time at first base."

Carter Sanderson

Hometown: Ilderton, Ontario
High School: Central Secondary School
Position: Infielder

Highlights: Played for Great Lakes Canadians, coaches by former Major League Baseball players Adam Stern and Chris Robinson ... Played baseball and ran track at Central Secondary School.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because of the baseball program, quality of academics and the small school class sizes."

Sabol on Sanderson: "We got Carter from the Great Lakes Canadians, a quality summer program up in Ontario. Carter is a smooth defender that has the ability to play three infield spots. We expect him to come in and compete for playing time with the rest of our infielders early in his career."

Matt Scanzano

Hometown: Oakville, Ontario
High School: De La Salle College Oaklands
College: Kalamazoo College
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher/Outfielder
Redshirt Fr.

Highlights: Recruited to play baseball at Kalamazoo College, but transferred to Alma College after 2015-16 season.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because it allows me to get a great education and be able to play baseball at the same time."

Sabol on Scanzano: "Matt is the first two-way player we added to our 2016 class. He has the ability to provide depth in the outfield while also competing for innings as a member of our bullpen. His unique arm slot should create tough matchups for right-handed hitters."

Zac Spangler

Hometown: Sanford, Mich.
High School: Meridian High School
Position: Catcher

Highlights: Helped team to three Jack Pine Conference championships and a MHSAA district title ... earned first team all-conference and all-district honors at catcher 2015 ... Named Midland Daily News all-area catcher as a junior ... Also named to the all-conference second team and all-district first team as a sophomore ... Played football at Meridian, helping the team to a conference championship while earning all-conference honorable mention honors as a senior ... Recipient of Jack Pine Conference Sportsmanship Award ... Member of National Honor Society ... Participated in group project that received Congressional recognition after team created an educational website for the Midland Center for The Arts.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because of the small college atmosphere and the baseball program."

Sabol on Spangler: "Zac was the first commitment we got when we started here in January. His excitement to join our program is something we look for in recruits everyday. He is a workaholic behind the plate and has the tools that will help him develop into a very good backstop for us in the future."

Derek Willis

Hometown: Charlevoix, Mich.
High School: Boyne City High School
Position: Left-Handed Pitcher

Highlights: Five-sport athlete at Boyne City High School, playing baseball, basketball, football, soccer and running cross country ... Helped baseball team to a pair of MHSAA district titles ... Three-time selection to the Charlevoix County News All-Area Baseball Dream Team (2014, 15, 16) ... Named All-Area Baseball Player of the Year after senior campaign by Petoskey News-Review ... Three-time all-district and two-time All-Lake Michigan Conference selection ... Also received all-region honors for baseball in senior year ... Earned all-conference honorable mention honors in cross country as a freshman and sophomore ... Helped basketball team to a conference title, two district titles, and a regional crown ... Named to Charlevoix County News All-Area Boys Basketball Dream Team as a senior, as well as to the Petoskey News-Review's All-Area Honorable Mention Boys Basketball Team ... Also played football, helping team to a district title as a junior ... Earned Lake Michigan Conference All-Conference Athletic and Academic Excellence Award ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Father, Dale Willis, played baseball at Marion (Ind.) College.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because I had the opportunity to play college baseball while getting a quality education."

Sabol on Willis: "Derek is another pitcher that we have added that has plenty of room to grow while also possessing some quality traits that we look for in pitchers. Derek had a stellar senior season at Boyne City and we are excited about getting him into the fold here at Alma. His size from the left side is rare and his ability to pound the strike zone will also give him chances to compete for innings early in his career."

Jackson Worsley

Hometown: Midland, Mich.
High School: HH Dow High School
College: Delta Community College
Position: Infielder/Outfielder
Jr.

Highlights: Competed at Delta Community College during his freshman and sophomore campaigns ... Played for coach Kip Harris at Dow High School ... Also competed in basketball.

Why Alma?: "I chose to attend Alma College because it was the perfect fit athletically and academically."

Sabol on Worsley: "Jackson comes to us from Delta College and will bring instant college experience to our team. Being a left-handed hitter, Jackson fills a void that we had in our 2016 roster. His passion for the way we play here at Alma is something we are excited about adding this fall."