Dutchmen sign two freshman infielders from Power Five Conferences including the 9th ranked first baseman in the country Cole McNamee (pictured above).
Cole McNamee (Wake Forest), ranked the ninth best first baseman in the country by Perfect Game USA, and Jerry Huntzinger (Seton Hall), a two-time Second Team All-State selection in NJ, have signed with the Dutchmen. McNamee joins former Dutchmen Chris Villa, a two-time Big EAST Academic All-Star, who played for Albany last summer while also attending Seton Hall.
McNamee's dual threat from both the plate and the pitchers mound is part of what makes him so dangerous and highly touted. In eleven appearances this season, McNamee is 1-0 with 22 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched for the Demon Deacons.
Ranked as the second best first baseman in Georgia and the ninth best first baseman in the country by Perfect Game USA, McNamee’s talent and potential speak for itself.
McNamee won the 2016 Connie Mack World Series with the East Cobb Yankees and finished as runners-up in the Perfect Game 18U National Wood Bat Championship.
He won high school state titles at Blessed Trinity Catholic HS in Roswell, GA in 2014 and 2015, and finished as runners-up in 2016 and 2017.
He finished his high school career with a perfect 17-0 career record on the mound including a 9-0 record and 1.17 ERA in 2017 and didn't allow an earned run in 2015.
From the plate he was just as impressive, hitting .303 with 10 doubles and four homers as a senior.
As a freshman for Wake Forest in 2018, McNamee will be a valuable asset for the Pirates bullpen as a powerful arm with a strong slider while also serving as a late inning defender at first base.
Huntzinger has had a successful first season for the Pirates as just a freshman, getting valuable playing time and producing with three RBIs, three walks and a .400 on-base percentage for Seton Hall this season.
The Pirates currently sit at second place in the Big East conference standings with a 9-2 conference record, 22-16-1 overall.
A two-time Second Team All-State selection, Huntzinger helped lead Monsignor Farrell high school in Staten Island, NY to a 24-1 record and the city championship as a senior.
As a two-year team captain and two-year participant in the Staten Island Advance All-Star Game, Huntzinger batted .364 with three home runs, 20 RBIs and 10 stolen bases as a senior. He batted .432 as a junior.
Huntzinger also played in the 2017 Mayor’s Cup as a senior, which showcases the best high school seniors from the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) and the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) as they compete for the 'best in NYC' crown.
The Dutchmen are excited to have two extremely talented and highly recruited freshman infielders from Power Five Conferences joining the organization.
