NAMPA, Idaho – The Northwest Nazarene baseball team recently signed 13 players for its 2020-21 class.

The group includes five pitchers and eight position players, four of whom also pitch.

NNU, which had its season cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, graduated four seniors, while four more are planning on coming back for an extra year of eligibility.

"Coach (Matt) Hollod and I are very excited about this recruiting class," NNU coach Joe Schaefer said. "We brought in several big-time pitchers, who immediately make us better. We also added some very good position players who can play multiple positions and help us in a lot of different ways.

"Most importantly, these guys are great students and even better kids. They are all great fits for NNU and are going to make our school and program better. By adding these guys and getting some of our seniors back for one more year, we are very excited about the potential of next year."

The Nighthawks were off to a 7-1 start in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play when the season ended. NNU will host the 2021 GNAC tournament, with the winner of that earning a spot in the NCAA tournament.
 
2020-21 NNU Baseball Recruiting Class
Sasha Jabusch
5-foot-10, 180-pound senior left-handed pitcher from Kelso, Wash. (Concordia)
Highlights: Had a 3.34 ERA in 32.1 innings pitched with 44 strikeouts in 2020, while posting a 1.69 ERA in 16 innings in league play with 26 strikeouts. … Was on the 2019 Dean's list.
Why he chose NNU: "Because I have received another chance to play baseball and NNU was the best academically and athletically in my perception. I have also heard great things about the Nazarene traditions dealing with religion."
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Sasha was one of the best pitchers in the GNAC this year for Concordia. He was leading the GNAC in strikeouts and was fourth amongst starting pitchers in ERA. He is an established pitcher at this level, who can throw multiple pitches for strikes. Sasha is a competitor and should improve our starting rotation next year. We are excited to have him."
 
Shane Martin
6-foot-4, 180-pound sophomore right-handed pitcher from Richland, Wash. (Columbia Basin College)
Highlights: In shortened 2020 season, he was 3-0 with a complete game in 23 innings pitched, allowing three runs on 14 hits with three walks and 24 strikeouts.
Why he chose NNU: "Because I felt it was the best fit for me. On my visit, I met a lot of great people that made me feel like NNU would be my future home. I saw a great coaching staff that will help me improve as a player and as a student."
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Shane is a big, right-handed pitcher that we are really excited about. In a shortened season this year, he was leading the NWAC in wins and was top in ERA and strikeouts. As a freshman, Shane anchored a very good pitching staff at CBC, helping them reach the playoffs. He is a strike thrower with swing and miss stuff and he should improve our starting rotation next year."
 
Spencer Schwehr
6-foot, 180-pound sophomore left-handed pitcher from Boise, Idaho (Walla Walla CC)
Highlights: As a freshman, had 37 strikeouts in 34 innings. … As a sophomore, had 19 strikeouts in 12 innings. … Was on the Vice President's Honor Roll for fall and winter quarters in 2019.
Why he chose NNU: "Because of what they offer academically and athletically to its students. Also, because of the coaches."
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Spencer was off to a great start this spring before things ended, striking out 19 in 12 innings with only three walks. He has big-game experience in a good conference and he is a competitor. He has the ability to start or relieve and will be a huge addition to our staff in either role."
 
Joseph Ihli
6-foot-1, 195-pound freshman right-handed pitcher from Caldwell, Idaho (Nampa Christian HS)
Highlights: Had a 1.21 earned run average in 47 innings with 93 strikeouts. … Batted .415 with 28 RBIs and a .525 on-base percentage. … Was on the honor roll throughout high school. … Played basketball throughout high school and football as a sophomore and junior. … Was honorable mention both years as a quarterback and honorable mention for basketball as a junior.
Why he chose NNU: "When I walked on campus I felt at home and the coaches were very inviting and truly sounded like they want the best for me as a player and a person. NNU is also close to home and I want my family to be able to watch throughout my career."
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Joe is a very good pitcher with a very bright future here at NNU. He has swing-and-miss offspeed stuff and can locate anything in any count. He has been one of the best players in the Treasure Valley for a couple of years now and we are really excited to see him here next year. Joe should give us some depth late in games next season."
 
Nathan Galusha
5-foot-11, 160-pound freshman right-handed pitcher from Fallon, Nev. (Churchill County HS)
Highlights: Batted .339 with a .391 on-base percentage with a .942 fielding percentage. … Had a 1.67 earned run average, going 2-0 in 24 innings with 33 strikeouts and 11 walks. … Class 3A second-team all-conference second baseman. … Honor roll member. … Also played basketball.
Why he chose NNU: "After the visit, I felt the overall school and athletic department was the best fit for me. They also had my major."
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Nate is an athlete who has the potential to become a really good pitcher at this level. He throws strikes with multiple pitches and as he continues to get stronger, he will become an impact pitcher for us."
 
Nick Thomson
5-foot-9, 150-pound freshman right-handed pitcher/infielder from San Jose, Calif. (Valley Christian HS)
Highlights: Last summer, batted .302 in 65 plate appearances in 26 games. … Voted defensive player of the year during the 2017 and 18 seasons and was an Under Armor preseason all-American. … Was a part of two CCS championships with Valley Christian. … Scholar athlete for keeping a 3.5 grade point average or higher during baseball season. … Plans to major in marketing.
Why he chose NNU: "I really enjoyed the campus and the area. I thought it would be a great fit for me, being a small school. When I visited, I enjoyed meeting Coach Schaefer and thought that his ideas for the future of the team and facilities were very good."
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Nick is a talented and athletic infielder/pitcher from one of the best high school programs in the nation. He is relatively new to pitching, but is showing some serious promise on the mound. As he continues to develop, he has the potential to be an impact guy for us in multiple ways."
 
Will Daniels
6-foot-1, 190-pound freshman catcher/first baseman from Crestline, Calif. (Rim of the World HS)
Highlights: Hit .444 through 10 games as a senior, with seven extra base hits and a .524 on-base percentage. … Hit .500 on the Yankees scout league team in the fall of 2019. … Hit .406 as a junior, with 13 extra base hits and a .488 OBP. … Was named the student-athlete of the month once, a scholar athlete three times and made the honor roll throughout high school.
Why he chose NNU: "Because I felt like I was wanted and welcomed by Coach Schaefer and all of the academic faculty. Nampa just felt like the place I want to be and I'm extremely excited to continue my journey at NNU and to be a Nighthawk!"
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Will is a polished left-handed hitter, who is starting to develop some power. He has a great approach and uses the whole field. He does a good job behind the plate, but can also play solid defense at first base. He is a great kid and a really hard worker. We are very excited to have him here at NNU."
 
Christopher Porm
6-foot-1, 180-pound freshman outfielder/left-handed pitcher from Roy, Utah (Roy HS)
Highlights: Batted .370 with a .547 on-base percentage, a .478 slugging percentage and a 1.025 OPS. … Was second-team all-region and honorable mention all-state.
Why he chose NNU: "Because I thought it was the best fit for me academically and for baseball. I really loved the campus and how friendly everyone was while on my visit."
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Chris is another left-handed bat that we are excited about. He is an athlete that can play all three outfield spots. He has a great arm and runs well. Chris has a good swing with developing power and we expect him to compete for time in our outfield right away."
 
Nate Naccarato
Freshman outfielder/right-handed pitcher from Spokane, Wash. (Mt. Spokane HS)
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Nate is another athletic outfielder with speed and a strong arm. He comes from a good program (was high school teammates with current Nighthawks catcher Quentin Ayers) and knows how to win. He can play all three outfield spots at a high level and gives us some solid offense from the right side. We are very excited about Nate."
 
Adrian De Orta
5-foot-10, 189-pound freshman outfielder from Whittier, Calif. (La Habra HS)
Highlights: Batted .230 with nine RBIs in shortened senior season. … Was a three-year scholar athlete award winner. … Also played football.
Why he chose NNU: "For the great baseball program that I will soon be a part of and for the wildlife biology major they offer. After visiting the school in October, I quickly fell in love with campus, the NNU community and the unity of the baseball team."
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Adrian is a strong kid with a good swing. He has a good arm and projects as a corner outfielder for us. He has some present power and knows how to play the game. Adrian will give us some depth in the outfield and should become a very good player for us in the future."
 
Walker Moore
5-foot-10, 155-pound freshman infielder/right-handed pitcher from Provo, Utah (Provo HS)
Highlights: As a junior, batted .432 with an on-base percentage of .553, an OPS of 1.080 with 23 runs scored, 26 RBIS and 13 stolen bases. … Was named to the all-state team as a junior. … Four-time member of the honor roll, 4.0 grade point average, two-time member of academic all-state, team MVP and team captain. … Played basketball as a freshman and sophomore and golf as a senior.
Why he chose NNU: "It was the best place for me to continue my educational and baseball careers. I felt like I fit well with the coaching staff and players. I want to help this team continue its recent success and further it to the next level."
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Walker is a savvy infielder and a very good hitter. He runs well and has a very good swing and approach from the left side. He has also had a lot of success on the mound and has the potential to impact there as well. As Walker continues to get stronger, he has the potential to be an all-conference type player."
 
Mason Leavitt
5-foot-10, 175-pound freshman infielder from Eagle, Idaho (Eagle HS)
Highlights: In 2019, batted .342 with seven doubles, two triples, a .456 on-base percentage with 21 runs scored, 27 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. … In 2020 season, batted .875 with two doubles and a triple. … First-team all-conference in 2019, MaxPreps best player in Idaho, Perfect Game preseason all-American 2018-20 and 2018 honorable mention all-conference. … Played basketball and football until his senior season, lettering in football as a junior. … Three-time all-academic for the Southern Idaho Conference … On honor roll all four years of high school.
Why he chose NNU: "Because it is a great fit for me. It is close to home and is a very competitive program. The school provides great academics and will allow me to be successful."
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Mason is another local kid who has been one of the best players in the Treasure Valley the last couple of years. He has played multiple positions during his career. He is a strong and athletic kid, who projects as an impact infielder for us. He has a polished swing and approach from the right side. We are excited to have Mason here next year."
 
Cameron Bogard
6-foot, 195-pound sophomore infielder from Enumclaw, Wash. (Skagit Valley CC)
Highlights: As a freshman, batted .297 with two homers, 38 hits, a .392 on-base percentage and an .806 OPS. … In the shortened 2020 season, was 6-for-25 with a double, triple and five RBIs. … Was a two-time first-team all-league player in high school. … Also, skis and mountain bikes.
Why he chose NNU: "For the baseball program on the rise, the location of Nampa, Idaho, and the priority of faith."
Coach Joe Schaefer: "Cameron is a versatile player, who can play both infield and outfield. He had a great freshman year at Skagit, where he was former teammate with Nighthawks pitcher Tyler Tan, hitting .297 with nine doubles. He is a solid defender and has a great work ethic. Cameron should provide some offense from the right side and help out at multiple positions."