(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Baseball program welcomes 15 new players to the squad for this coming season.

Third-year head coach Chris Vito expects that this class will add needed depth for the Golden Eagles. "Our goal has always been to be at least two-deep at every defensive spot," says Coach Vito. "We are finally starting to get there with roster numbers near 30. I am excited about the potential this class brings to our program."

Included in the class are 12 freshmen and three transfers. Eight of the new U of M, Crookston players will see time on the mound. Here is a rundown of this year's class.

Josh Althaus (6'1", 220, Fr, 1B, St. Cloud, Minn.- St. Cloud Apollo H.S.)

Althaus is a 6'1", 220 lb first baseman from St. Cloud Apollo High School of the Central Lakes Conference. He was named all-conference. Josh played in the 2009 Minnesota American Legion State Baseball Tournament for the District Six Champions Waite Park Silver Stars. He is the son of Martin and Janet Althaus of St. Cloud, Minn. and his major at the University of Minnesota, Crookston is undeclared.

David Grabowski (6'0", 195, Jr, C/OF, Virginia, Minn. - Mesabi Range Community and Technical College)

Grabowski is a 6'0", 195 lb catcher/outfielder who has transferred from Mesabi Range Community and Technical College in Virginia, Minn. He graduated from Virginia High School where he was his team's captain and Offensive Player of the Year. A member of the Blue Devil Football squad, David served as team captain, was awarded the Blue Pride Award and also was Offensive Player of the Year. He is the son of Scott and Susan Grabowski of Virginia, Minn. and is majoring in Criminal Justice at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Justin Haakenson (6'2", 175, Fr, RHP, St. Cloud, Minn. - St. Cloud Apollo H.S.)

Haakenson is a 6'2", 175 lb right-handed pitcher from St. Cloud Apollo High School of the Central Lakes Conference. He lettered in both baseball and hockey. Justin was all-conference and all-state honorable mention in baseball. He played in the 2009 Minnesota American Legion State Tournament for the District Six Champions Waite Park Silver Stars. Justin is the son of Mike and Terri Haakenson of St. Cloud, Minn. and is majoring in computer software technology at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Bill Hirschi (6'0", 175, Fr, RHP/OF, Coon Rapids, Minn.- Coon Rapids H.S.)

Hirschi is a 6'0", 176 lb right-handed pitcher/first baseman/outfielder from Coon Rapids High School of the Northwest Suburban Conference. He is the son of Scott and Lori Hirschi of Coon Rapids, Minn. Bill is majoring in psychology at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Brandon Johnson (6'1", 210, Fr, RHP, Detroit Lakes, Minn. -Detroit Lakes H.S.)

Johnson is a 6'1", 210 lb right-handed pitcher from Detroit Lakes High School of the Mid-State Conference. He participated in soccer, wrestling and baseball for the Lakers winning three letters in wrestling and two in soccer and baseball. Brandon was a section champion in wrestling and also earned all-conference and all-state honors. He led the baseball team in homeruns as a senior. Brandon is the son of Bruce and Sharon Wall of Detroit Lakes, Minn. and is majoring in communication at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Jake Johnson (6'4", 215, Fr, RHP Stanchfield, Minn. - Braham H.S.)

Johnson is a 6'4", 200 lb right-handed pitcher from Braham High School of the Great River Conference. He was named his team's rookie of the year as a sophomore and earned all-conference honors as well as Team MVP and Team Batting Title honors as a senior. Jake is the son of Scott and Barb Johnson of Stanchfield, Minn. He is majoring in natural resources law enforcement at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Joshua Kraby (5'10", 175, Fr, 3B, Glencoe, Minn. - Glencoe-Silver Lake H.S.)

Kraby is a 5'10", 175 lb. third baseman from Glencoe-Silver Lake High School of the Wright County Conference. He was a member of their 2009 Section 2AA Championship team that competed at the Minnesota State AA Baseball Tournament. Josh is the son of Donald and Audra Kraby of Glencoe, Minn. He is majoring in sport and recreation management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Matthew Lyons (6'3", 200, Fr, RHP, Nipawin, Sask. - L.P. Miller H.S.)

Lyons is a 6'3", 200 lb right-handed pitcher from Nipawin, Saskatchewan, Canada. He competed at the Western Canada Summer Games for Team Saskatchewan this past summer and has been to two Western Canadian Championships and two national championships for Team Saskatchewan. Matthew was also named Pitcher of the Tournament at the Gillette, Wyoming American Legion Invitational. He is the son of Barry and Sharon Lyons of Nipawin, Saskatchewan, Canada and is majoring in health sciences (pre-professional) - pre-physical therapy at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Fritz Moos (5'9", 185, Fr, C, White Bear Lake, Minn. - St. Agnes H.S.)

Moos is a 5'9", 179 lb catcher from St. Agnes High School of the Tri-Metro Conference. He served as team captain his senior year and was a two-time all-conference honorable mention performer in both baseball and football. Fritz is the son of Gary and Cathy Moos of White Bear Lake, Minn. He is majoring in biology at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. His father Gary was a member of U of M, Crookston's 1982 Midwest Bowl Football team.

Reed Oistad (5'10", 180, SS/3B, Detroit Lakes, Minn. - Detroit Lakes H.S.)

Oistad is a 5'10", 180 1b shortstop/third baseman from Detroit Lakes High School of the Mid-State Conference. He was a two-time all-conference performer in baseball and basketball and was also all-conference in football. He was his Team MVP in football, basketball and baseball. Reed is the son of Marlo and Barb Oistad of Detroit Lakes, Minn. He is majoring in business management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Tim Parks (6'2", 185, RHP, Baltimore, Mar. - Baltimore Lutheran H.S.)

Parks is a 6'2", 185 lb right-handed pitcher from Baltimore Lutheran High School of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference. He was named all-conference in 2009. Tim is the son of Douglas and Sandra Parks of Baltimore, Mar. He is majoring in aviation at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Ryan Pauly (5'6", 166, Utility, Osseo, Minn. - Central Lakes College)

Pauly is a 5'6", 166 lb utility player who has transferred in from Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minn. He graduated from Osseo High School of the Northwest Suburban Conference where he served as team captain his senior year and was also named all-conference honorable mention. At Central Lakes College, Ryan also served as team captain and was named to the All-Central Division Team. He is the son of Kevin and Sharon Pauly of Osseo, Minn. and is majoring in natural resources law enforcement at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Nick Smestad (6'0", 165, RHP, Fordville, N.D. - Fordville-Lankin H.S.)

Smestad is a 6'0", 165 lb right-handed pitcher from Fordville-Lankin High School of Region 4. He won awards for having his team's best earned run average, best record and most wins as a pitcher. Nick was also named Team MVP and was a two-time All-Region 4 performer. He is the son of Jeff and Jeanie Smestad of Fordville, N.D. Nick is majoring in agronomy at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Jay Stevens (5'11", 168, 1B, Delano, Minn. - Delano H.S.)

Stevens is a 5'11", 168 lb., first baseman from Delano High School of the Wright County Conference. He served as his team's captain for two years and was also named all-conference. Jay is the son of Jon and Brenda Stevens of Delano, Minn. He is majoring in criminal justice at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Nick Zawacki (5'6", 155, RHP, Howell, Mich. - Siena Heights University)

Zawacki is a 5'6", 155lb right-handed pitcher who has transferred from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Mich. Nick graduated from Howell high School in Howell, Mich. He was named to the All-Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Academic Team in 2009 and was also a Boise Summer League All-Star for the Hampton (Idaho) Owls. Nick is the son of Terry and Geri Zawacki of Howell, Mich. He is majoring in business management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at http://www.goldeneaglesports.com/.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

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