Huskies Baseball announces 2023 early signing class

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State Baseball head coach Pat Dolan has announced the addition of 14 recruits to the 2023 Huskies signing class. Evan Acheson, Gamble Bye, Dan Clusiau, Eli Crnkovich, Alex Duncan, Grayson Fuchs, Isaac Hanson, Will Hess, Christian Lessman, Camden Lyke, Nolan Murphy, Kaden Pfeffer, Isaiah Piscitello and Jonathan Pribula intend to join SCSU next fall.

"We are extremely excited about the 10 high school seniors and four transfers that will become Huskies next year," said Dolan, "The 14 incoming student-athletes are high quality students that take pride in their academics and will be tremendous additions to our Husky Baseball Family."

10 of the Huskies' signees are Minnesota natives while three hail from Wisconsin and one is a Nebraska product.

"Our game plan early on was to get back to our grassroots of recruiting high schools locally," Dolan continued, "As well as expanding out state-wide along with maintaining our connections to Wisconsin. We wanted to also add some proven two-year college pitchers, and we feel we accomplished each of these goals!"

Crnkovich, Lessman, Pfeffer and Piscitello each join SCSU after stints at junior college programs while the remaining 10 are high school seniors.

"Our last two high school recruiting classes are probably our top-two classes in the last ten-plus years," Dolan said, "We have some serious talent in these two classes – we're looking forward to helping them develop over the next four to five years."

"A special thanks to our coaching staff for all their help," Dolan concluded, "Doc, Mac, Casey and Eddie all played integral roles in the signing of these 13 young men. It's really a collaborative effort between our coaching staff and admissions, especially Mike Coonen for his assistance. We want to give major props to our athletic administrative staff – our compliance and especially Holly and Abby. Huskies helping Huskies at its best!"

Evan Acheson

Evan Acheson joins the Huskies out of ROCORI High School, where he was coached by Jeff Illies, Aaron Schneider, and Gary Distel. In his Junior season, Evan pitched 17 innings and struck out 21 hitters.

Evan is the son of Jon and Michelle Acheson.

"I chose SCSU because it's already a great program with a very bright future!"

Gamble Bye

Bye attends Perham High School in Perham, Minnesota, where he is coached in baseball by James Mulcahy. In high school, Bye was awarded Baseball Factory Preseason All-American (2x), Best in the US Showcase MLB Stadium Selection (2x), Legion All-Star, All-Conference. His 2022 spring/summer statistics include 39 hits, eight extra-base hits and 25 RBI.

Gamble is the son of Daryl Bye and Trisha Kasper.

"I chose St. Cloud State because I want to be a part of a winning program and develop great relationships with my teammates."

Dan Clusiau

From Bemidji High School, Clusiau was coached in baseball by Mike Fogelson. In his Junior season, Dan pitched 32.1 innings while striking out 51 and posting a 1.26 ERA.

Dan is the son of Aaron and Christy Clusiau.

"I chose SCSU because the baseball program has been very successful for many years, and it feels like a family."

Eli Crnkovich

Crnkovich is a graduate of Mount Michael Benedictine High School in Nebraska, where he was a three-sport athlete playing baseball, football, and basketball. In high school, he posted a 1.72 ERA over 62 innings of work on the mound and recorded 90 tackles on the football field, earning All State Honorable Mention, All-State Academic, and First Team All-Conference honors. Crnkovich then took his talents to Northeast Community College, where he was coached by Marcus Clapp. Eli recorded 24 innings in his freshman season, where he was one of the Hawks top bullpen arms. As a freshman, Crnkovich continued his academic excellence at Northeast, earning First Team Academic All-Region honors.

Eli is the son of Randy and Christy Crnkovich.

"I chose St. Cloud State because of the opportunity to compete for championships while having the chance to develop into the best player I can be. The coaching staff has a great track record of both winning and developing players and I'm excited to contribute to that great culture!"

Alex Duncan

Duncan plays high school baseball at Shakopee High School, where he is coached by Tom Schleper. In 2022, Alex was awarded Shakopee HS Rookie of the Year, Minnesota Legion All-Star, and South Suburban All-Conference Honorable Mention. Last Spring, Duncan recorded a .301 batting average in 83 at-bats, driving in 14 and collecting 25 hits. Duncan plays his club baseball at Minnesota Starters, where he is coached by Andrew Betcher.

Alex is the son of Kevin and Elizabeth Duncan.

"I chose St. Cloud State University for the opportunities to grow academically and through baseball. They have a great coaching staff with a long tradition of winning and have built a strong culture. Along with the great facilities, I know that I will have the opportunity to succeed. I'm looking forward to competing at SCSU. Go Huskies!"

Grayson Fuchs

A three-sport athlete from Paynesville High School, Grayson is the brother of current Husky, Grady Fuchs. At Paynesville, Grayson is coached by Brad Skoglund, and has had a tremendous high school career. In his junior season, Grayson had a .444 batting average, as well as a .553 OBP. He had 32 hits, 7 home runs, and 30 RBI in 72 at-bats. Fuchs was awarded All-Conference (2x), and All-Area First Team his junior year in baseball. He is also an All-Section football player (2x), and an All-Conference basketball player. Fuchs also was awarded District Defensive Back of the Year for his senior football season.

Grayson is the son of Ron and Michelle Fuchs.

"I chose to come to SCSU to play college baseball because they have really nice facilities and have always been a very competitive team, along with the fact my brother Grady Fuchs plays for them this year so that also helped me make my decision."

Isaac Hanson

Hanson, a member of the Brainerd HS baseball team, is coached by Trent Grams. As a sophomore, Hansen threw 44 innings, while striking out 64 and recording a 1.75 ERA. In his junior season, Hanson threw 37.1 innings and struck out 55. Hanson had an impressive summer season in 2022, where he recorded 39 strikeouts and posted a 0.72 ERA in 19.1 innings while also batting .407 with 9 RBI. Hanson was awarded Central Lakes Conference Player of the Week and was also named Brainerd High School Athlete of the Week (2x).

Isaac is the son of Steve and Kelli Hanson.

Will Hess

Will Hess plays high school baseball at Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin, where he also plays hockey. Along with being a 2-sport athlete, Will is a member of National Honor Society, Rho Kappa Honor Society, German National Honor Society, and has also been a National Honor Roll Student three times. In the offseason, Hess plays club ball for GRB-Stiks Baseball. Some of Hess's accolades include Perfect Game Pre-Season All-American Honorable Mention and PG All-Tournament Team pitching and hitting (4x). Hess is also involved in his community, where he actively volunteers, and works as a baseball umpire and hockey referee.

Will is the son of Heidi Storm and Richard Hess and the brother of Nate Hess.

"I chose St. Cloud State University due to the feeling of being in a family atmosphere! As soon as I stepped foot on campus for the first time, it felt like a second home. I was immediately welcomed by all the players and coaching staff. It truly made me feel like a Husky already!"

Christian Lessman

Lessman is a graduate of New London-Spicer, where he was awarded their team's MVP, as well as receiving the "Wildcat Award" and being an All-Conference selection. Christian was coached by former Husky All-American Kyle Lieser at NL-S, and now plays for former Husky David Kroger at SCTCC. Lessman decided to attend St. Cloud Technical Community College out of high school, where as a freshman he was 3-1 on the mound with 39.1 inning pitched, 36 strikeouts, and posted a 2.06 ERA. As a sophomore, he was 2^nd Team All-MCAC Central Division with a 6-1 record, 58.1 innings pitched, 54 strikeouts, and posted a 2.16 ERA.

Christian is the son of Chris and Jessica Lessman.

"I decided to commit to SCSU since I felt like it would be the best fit for me and a great opportunity for me to continue my college baseball career and education."

Camden Lyke

Lyke is a Lakeville native, playing high school baseball for Bill John, Corey Kennedy, and Mike Remington at Lakeville South High School. At Lakeville South, Lyke helped his team to the section championship in 2022. Along with playing school ball, Camden also plays club baseball with NorthStar Baseball, where he is coached by Alec Crawford and Zach Jakubowski. In his summer and fall with NorthStar Baseball, Lyke pitched 44 innings and recorded 44 strikeouts.

Camden is the son of Andrew and Kylie Lyke.

"I knew that SCSU was the right choice for me after visiting the campus and meeting the coaching staff last summer. The baseball facilities and coaching staff are both very impressive and the program is set up for success. The coaches are clearly dedicated to the program, and it shows in the teams past and current success. The coaches are very invested in continuing to lead the team to Championships."

Nolan Murphy

From Becker High School, Murphy has been the Bulldog's starting shortstop since his sophomore year. In his 2022 high school season he batted a solid .426 with 29 hits and 17 RBI, earning his second Mississippi 8 All-Conference award. Nolan also plays on the Becker Legion team, P5 Elite Team, as well as the Becker amateur baseball team. Some of his other awards include Becker Academic Honors (2x), MSHSL Spotlight on Scholarship, and 2022 Mississippi 8 Conference Baseball Defensive MVP.

Murphy plays for P5 and former Husky great Dan Terres, slashing .565/.600/.753 for a 1.354 OPS with six doubles and five stolen bases.

Nolan is the son of Tom and LeAnne Murphy.

"I chose SCSU because of the strong baseball program and what is offered academically."

Kaden Pfeffer

Pfeffer is a graduate of Union Grove High School in Racine, Wisconsin, where he played baseball for coach Nathan Meyer. For Union Grove, Kaden pitched 38.1 innings, while posting a 1.60 ERA and earning First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Area, First Team All-County, and Second Team All-Region. Pfeffer also helped his team reach the State Tournament. After high school, Pfeffer took his talents to Century College, where he pitched 47.1 innings, had a record of 6-2, and recorded 51 strikeouts. He also earned First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Region, and was an Academic All-American.

Kaden is the son of Scott and Julie Pfeffer.

"I committed to SCSU because I wanted to perform at a higher level of competition while prioritizing academics. After my first visit on campus, I was completely sold that this place was home and family. I can't wait to compete in that Husky uniform!"

Isaiah Piscitello

An attendee of Wausau West High School, Piscitello was an All-Conference baseball player his junior and senior year, in the spring and summer. Piscitello was coached by Alex Tomter, Robert Laughlin, Corey Brandt, and Nate Brown. Piscitello is currently a member of the baseball team at Bryant and Stratton College in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where in 2022 he pitched 23 innings and struck out 30 batters.

Isaiah is the son of Carey Harder and Kari Harder.

"After my visit to Saint Cloud I felt very comfortable and at home. I really liked the coaching staff and facilities which made my decision easier. I feel I can help St. Cloud State achieve their goals and mine at the same time, thank you for the opportunity."

Jonathan Pribula

Pribula attends Wayzata High School, where he plays baseball for Coach Bobby Dewitt. Outside of school baseball, Pribula plays club ball for Justin Gominsky at Minnesota Icemen. In 2022, he was ranked in the Top 75 in the junior class and was a Perfect Game Preseason All-American. He was awarded Perfect Game All-Tournament team (3x) and Perfect Game Top Prospect Team (2x). In his career, he has a .348 batting average with over 45 doubles and 180 RBI.

Jonathan is the son of Scott and Michelle Pribula.

"I choose St. Cloud because of the great history of the program and the engagement from the start from Coach Dolan, making me feel right at home and already apart of the baseball program"

Saint Cloud State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Grady Fuchs

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