V-Hawks Lock in 13 Newcomers for 2016 Season

LA CROSSE, Wis. – On Monday morning, the Viterbo University baseball team got much larger as head coach Ted Falkner released his 2016 recruiting class. Falkner named 13 new student-athletes who will be joining the team in 2015-16.

"This is my first recruiting class, so of course I am excited," Falkner commented. "I feel that we have a great blend of returners and new guys to compete in this upcoming season. Thirteen true-freshman make up a group of talented, athletic guys who will develop and grow in their tenure here. They understand where I want this program to be and what type of culture that we will have here at Viterbo. I am really looking forward to getting to work with all 33 of my guys this fall."

Adam Lowe – Reynoldsburg, Ohio (Shortstop)

"Adam is going to be a great player for this program. He is a leader on the field and I cannot wait to get to work with this young shortstop. He brings a ton of big game experience and is very athletic."

Lowe picked up multiple all-conference honors in his four years of shortstop at Bishop Hartley High School. As a senior, he was named first team all-league in addition to honorable mention all-district. Lowe was also a member of the National Honors Society.

Nick Peterson - Hazelhurst, Wis. (Utility)

"Nick is another extraordinary athlete being added to this program. I have him as a utility player because I know that I can play him in several spots. I look forward to this fall and can't wait to see what he can become."

Peterson collected multiple postseason awards including the Player of the Year honor in the Great Northern Conference at Lakeland High School in 2014-15.

Wyatt Cook – Shullsburg, Wis. (RH Pitcher)

"Wyatt is an extremely hard worker and will pitch for this program. He is another guy who has been a leader wherever he has played. Wyatt is a big piece to the new pitching staff that will make this program successful".

Cook picked up a spot on the Six Rivers All-Conference squad for his play on the hill.

Jacob Stephenson – Evansville, Wis. (Infield)

"Jacob is an athlete who constantly is working on getting stronger and better. He will be a huge asset to this program and I look forward to seeing his work ethic each day at practice."

In addition to starting four years in baseball at Evansville High School, Stephenson also played one year of golf. In the summer, he played club baseball for the Silver Sluggers. In the classroom, Stephenson earned academic honors and was a member of the Student Council.

Ryan Boelk – Oakfield, Wis. (RH Pitcher)

"Ryan is a guy who excites our coaching staff. He has been very successful as a pitcher and will continue that way in college. He is a competitor who has great feel on the mound and will have a big role on the pitching staff."

Prior to the 2015 season, Boelk was tabbed as one of the state's top pitchers and he did not disappoint, being named Flyway Conference Player of the Year and Action Reporter Media All-Area Baseball Player of the Year.

Rowdy Yates - Garner, Iowa (Catcher)

"Rowdy is a four sport athlete who can receive the baseball very well behind the plate. He has that 'dirt-ball' mentality which I love for the catcher position and is a great addition to this 2015 class. I'm looking forward to see how Rowdy brings it every day."

At Clear Lake High School, Yates participated in four sports including baseball, football, and wrestling, and golf. He earned multiple scholarships including the Distinguished Male Athlete from the U.S. Marine Corps.

Evan Wick - East Troy, Wis. (Catcher)

"Evan is a scrappy type player who will do anything that the team asks for. I look forward to the competition behind the plate and Evan's leadership abilities. He makes this team better by who he is and what he brings each day."

Wick started four years behind the plate, earning four varsity letters at East Troy High School. Along with being named defensive MVP as a freshman and collecting a gold glove in 2013 and 2014, Wick earned an honorable mention all-conference nod as a junior and a spot on the second team as a senior.

Brian McGill - Brooklyn Park, Minn. (RH Pitcher)

"Brian was the ace of his high school and summer teams and could contend for that here during his four years. Brian is a pitcher, not a thrower and is a bulldog on the bump. He is part of a pitching staff that will have depth and success."

As a senior, McGill picked up an honorable mention all-conference honor in the NorthWest Suburban league.

Tyler Fischer - McFarland, Wis. (RH Pitcher)

"Tyler is a guy that everyone wants to be around. He is going to be a huge contributor to our pitching staff and to the culture of this program. Tyler is very athletic and will continue to grow here at Viterbo."

Fischer was a three-sport athlete at McFarland High School earning multiple varsity letters in each. As a senior, he was named First Team All-Rock Valley North Conference.

Noah Bouley - Champlin, Minn. (Utility)

"Noah brings speed and quickness to wherever he is on the field. He is a very talented ballplayer who can play outfield or middle infield. Noah is a student of the game and will help us create opportunities on the base paths in addition to sparking our offense and making plays defensively."

Bouley earned honorable mention all-conference for the Rebels while also participating in bowling. He was also a member of the National Honors Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Willie Mancini - Belvidere, Ill. (RH Pitcher)

"Willie will be competing for a rotation spot as soon as he arrives here on campus. He has extreme passion for the game and will develop here in this program. His personality and work ethic will bring value to this team and pitching staff."

Mancini started three years at Belvidere North High School while playing summer baseball for the Rockford Riverhawks.

Austin Schlaker - Oswego, IIl. (Outfield/LH Pitcher)

"Austin will bring versatility and depth to Viterbo. I am excited for his left handed bat and ability to play four different positions. Austin can also compete on the mound and shows his athleticism."

Schlaker played both baseball and football at Oswego High School in Illinois. In the summer, he is a member of the Oswego Panthers U17 baseball team.

Nick La Fleur - West Salem, Wis. (Outfield, LH Pitcher)

"Nick is also an athlete that can compete for us at five different positions. He starred in three different sports in high school and I know he will show those skills for us. I'm excited to see where Nick shines this fall."

Nick earned letters in baseball, basketball, and football at West Salem High School. He collected a second team all-conference honor as a junior before being named first team all-conference and second team all-district in 2015.