FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern baseball coaching staff has announced its early signing class for the 2012 season. The class includes two infielders, two outfielders and five pitchers.
“I am very proud of the way the 2012 Recruiting Class has come together at the early sign period,” said head coach Greg Brown. “Recruiting coordinator Cliff Terracuso and the rest of the staff worked very diligently at addressing the upcoming needs for the program, providing a class with a mix of young arms with big upside as well as some experienced bats.”
Mike Melendez will come to NSU after playing first base and pitching for Flanagan HS, a school that won the Class 6A State Championship and the 2010 Baseball America National Championship. Joining Melendez in the infield will be Eric Acevedo, a transfer from Miami-Dade College. Acevedo, who can play multiple positions, brings championship experience as he played for American Heritage-Plantation when they won the 2008 High School National Championship.
The coaching staff will bring in one recruit from the west coast of Florida, Chris Van Brandt of Sarasota Riverview HS. According to the coaching staff, Van Brandt plays centerfield and brings loads of potential on offense and defense.
NSU will be joined by two recruits from Monsignor Pace HS, a powerhouse program that has won five state championships and advanced to the regional semifinals last season. Angel Navarro is a centerfielder who provides a great arm and loads of speed. Matt Salom is also a current Spartan and brings great potential as a right-handed pitcher.
Coming down from Palm Beach County’s Seminole Ridge HS is Kenny Miranda and Danny Magierowski. Magierowski is a big bodied left-handed pitcher that pounds the strike zone and draws many swings and misses while Miranda is a right-handed pitcher with loads of potential.
Crossing College Ave. will be Ronnie Patella of Nova HS. Petella is a right-handed strike thrower with an abundance of experience. His Titans ranked No. 1 in Florida after going 25-6 his sophomore year and won the district championship in 2009. Finally, from Belen Jesuit HS comes Robert Baroneil. Baroneil is an overpowering right-handed pitcher with three solid pitches is his arsenal.
The Nova Southeastern baseball team will open up the 2011 season on Feb. 1 against Northwood at 6 p.m.
