George Mason head baseball coach Bill Brown has announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, as they will join the Patriots in the 2014-15 academic year. The six future Patriots are Brady Acker (Columbia, Md./Atholton), Trevor Kelly (Yorktown, Va./York), Bryce Nightengale (Cresaptown, Md./Allegheny), Ryan Ricci (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim), Michael Smith (Lorton, Va./South County), and Tim Turner (Canton, Ohio/Jackson).
“This group of six is only the start to a large incoming class and we will be announcing more in the upcoming weeks and months as commitments become official,” said Brown, who will begin his 33rd season at the helm this spring. “This initial group is only the beginning to a fantastic class of talented student-athletes to come into the Mason Baseball program and help us achieve our goals of A-10 Championships and NCAA Regional appearances.”
Acker is a right-handed 5'11”, 190-pound outfielder who has earned top honors as one of the top prep players in the Washington/Baltimore area. A first team All-Met selection by the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun, Acker is a member of Team Maryland and played showcase baseball for Allan Haines and Mid-Atlantic Red Sox. A Perfect Game 2013 Underclass High Honorable Mention, he was named the seventh-best prospect in the state of Maryland by that publication. Acker's brother, Chris, pitches at nearby Towson University.
“Brady is an exceptional athlete that will be an impact player very early in his career,” Brown said. “He is getting attention from professional scouts for the upcoming 2014 amateur draft with his electric speed. Brady is a fantastic offensive player and he will be a force at the top of the order in our program for many years.”
Kelly, a utility player/shortstop who is 6'3” and 190 pounds, sits as the 33rd-ranked prospect in the state of Virginia and is among the Top 1000 nationally as selected by Perfect Game. A first-team All-District and All-Region honoree last season, he was a nominated for Gatorade Player of the Year in Virginia and also has played travel baseball for North East Baseball and So Cal National.
“Trevor is an important piece to our recruiting class,” Brown added. “He has the ability to play seven positions on the baseball field which will allow him to be in the lineup early in his career. Trevor will be an offensive force and hit in the middle of the lineup for his career.”
Nightengale, a 6'4”, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, was part of the 1A state runner-up squad last season and is a two-time AMAC first-team selection. He has been ranked as the 18th-best prospect in Maryland and as a High Follow, with travel ball experience for the Flood City Elite and Coach Rick Roberts. Nightengale also earned All-AMAC second-team plaudits on the basketball court.
“Bryce is a very high ceiling pitcher and we expect him to have an outstanding career at Mason,” Brown said. His size and arm strength will allow him to seize a role and throw innings right away. I look forward to seeing Bryce reach his potential at Mason and become a dominant top of the rotation pitcher for us.”
Ricci is also a right-handed pitcher, measuring 6'1” and 180 pounds. A high follow on the Perfect Game National Rankings, Ricci is the 33rd-best prospect in the state of Pennsylvania and was a member of a district championship team last season. In 2011, Ricci was a All Mid-Penn first team honoree and played travel for Chandler Baseball and coach Mark Helsel. His father, Chuck, pitched 11 years at the professional level including a season with the Philadelphia Phillies major league squad.
“Ryan is a right handed pitcher who will be a core member of the staff,” said Brown. “He has a solid fastball with an above average breaking ball that will allow him to pitch in a starting role or late-inning relief. We expect Ryan to carry significant innings very early in his career.
A product of two former Mason student-athletes, Smith is a 6'2”, 165-pound shortstop who was a member of the 2013 Patriot District championship team. He played showcase baseball for DeMarini Stars and Coach Carson Carroll and is listed as a High Follow for the 2014 Perfect Game Rankings. Smith's father, Robbie, is his high school coach and is a former player under Brown, while his mother played tennis at Mason under current head coach Gary Quam.
“Michael is a slick fielding shortstop/middle infielder for local South County High School,” Brown commented. “His skill set will put him in a position to play as soon as he gets to campus. Michael will be an outstanding college player and it is an honor to coach the son of a former player. ”
A left-handed pitcher and outfielder, the 5'10”, 180-pound Turner is rated the seventh-best southpaw prospect in the state of Ohio, and is a high follow on the Perfect Game National Rankings. He played his travel ball for Coach Mark Helsel and Chandler Baseball along with future Mason teammate Ryan Ricci.
“Tim has the ability to become another great two-way player for our program,” Brown said. “He is a strike thrower and will be a core LHP for our program as well as compete for a spot in the outfield. We look forward to seeing the impressive strides Tim will make to allow him to contribute immediately in his career.”
