CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- On the evening of Wednesday, November 11th the University of Charleston coaching staff announced the signing of 10 players who will arrive on campus in the fall of 2021.
Head Coach Robbie Britt commented: "We are tremendously excited by the talent and makeup of the individuals in our 2021 class. Our signees embody the care-level and competitive spirit that our program is founded upon. We look forward to their arrival next fall!"
Recruiting Coordinator Ian Macdonald added: "I could not be more proud of the efforts of our coaching staff, under the direction of our Head Coach Robbie Britt. I am thankful for his support, and for the support of our administration. I am grateful for the opportunity to recruit players to this university. Thank you to our alumni, donors, families, friends, and current players in our program. You are what makes this program, experience, and university special!"
At the time of publication, Charleston's 2021 recruiting class is ranked 18th in the country by Perfect Game, the largest amateur baseball scouting service in the country. This is the highest ranked recruiting class in program history.
DREW BECKNER | OF/LHP | 6'1" 175 | Big Walnut HS (OH) | Ohio Elite
Why UCWV: "I chose UC because I loved everything they had to offer. The academics are top notch and the coaches are very personable. I saw it as a place that I could call home for the next 4 years of my life."
Rankings, Accomplishments, & Awards: #58 ranked overall player - #9 ranked outfielder in the state of Ohio (Prep Baseball Report) … #29 ranked overall player - #5 ranked outfielder in the state of Ohio (Perfect Game) … Top 500 player in the country (Perfect Game).
Macdonald on Beckner: "The thing that stands out to me most about Drew is his athleticism and the way that he plays the game. A left-handed hitter, Drew is a 6.8 runner with the ability to drive the ball gap-to-gap. He has great instincts for the game, plays the game hard, and is an exceptional teammate. On the mound, Drew is 83-85 from the left side. He has a 3-pitch mix that he can control. He will have the opportunity to play both ways when he arrives on campus in the fall."
Family & Future Plans: Drew is an only child, and the son of Julia & Jay. Drew will major in Exercise Science and hopes to pursue a career in Sports Medicine.
RYAN GOFF | MIF/RHP | 5'10" 170 | Bridgeport HS (WV) | Ohio Elite
Why UCWV: "I felt the University of Charleston was a very good fit for my athletic and academic career. I am very comfortable with the coaching staff and really liked the relationships that I have built with them. I believe there will be an opportunity for me to contribute and help the team early in my baseball career. I love that the University of Charleston has a winning program. They will push me to always be my best."
Rankings, Accomplishments, & Awards: #7 ranked overall player - #2 ranked shortstop in the state of West Virginia (Prep Baseball Report) … #14 ranked overall player - #2 ranked shortstop in the state of West Virginia (Perfect Game) … Member of two state-championship winning teams at Bridgeport HS … First Team All-State, First Team All-County, First Team All-Conference as a sophomore … Perfect Game WWBA All-Tournament team (2020).
Macdonald on Goff: "We have been recruiting Ryan since November of his junior year when he attended our in-state Junior Day. Ryan is a talented middle infielder who was the starting shortstop on two state championship winnings teams for Bridgeport HS. He is a shortstop with clean actions, a quick transfer, and a strong arm with carry across. Ryan is extremely competitive; I love watching him play the game. On the mound, Ryan was 85-87, up to 88 this summer. He will have the opportunity to play both ways when he arrives on campus in the fall."
Family & Future Plans: Ryan has two older brothers, Justin and Gavin, and is the son of Gregg and Amy. Ryan will major in Health Science studies and hopes to be a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist.
MAX HARRELL | C | 5'11" 180 | Wall HS (NJ) | .9ers Baseball
Why UCWV: "I chose UC because of the competitive baseball program, scenic location, and the sports business program."
Rankings, Accomplishments, & Awards: #177 ranked overall player - #27 ranked catcher in the state of New Jersey (Prep Baseball Report) … #154 ranked overall player - #13 ranked catcher in the state of New Jersey (Perfect Game) … Member of the 2019 3A state-championship winning teams at Wall HS.
Macdonald on Harrell: "Defensively, Max has an advanced skillset. He is an excellent receiver with present college-level catch & throw ability. He is a guy that our pitchers will like throwing to. Offensively, Max has a short, compact swing with barrel awareness & consistent line drive ability. Max has an advanced understanding of the game, natural leadership ability, and experience catching some of the top arms in the North East."
Family & Future Plans: Max has two older brothers, Jake and Zach, and is the son of Diane and Tod. Max will major in Sports Business and hopes to start his own business one day.
DANIEL KANAGY | RHP/1B | 6'2" 225 | East Juniata HS (PA) | Flood City Elite
Why UCWV: "I chose to commit to the University of Charleston, because I felt that it was the right fit for me in every aspect. From an academic standpoint, I feel that graduating with a degree from the University of Charleston would help prepare me to pursue a career in sports medicine. I also feel that it would equip me with the life skills I need after college. From an athletic standpoint, I feel that the baseball coaches at UC are young, energetic, and very knowledgeable. I believe that they will push me to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be. I believe they can help me reach my athletic goals and one day play professional baseball."
Rankings, Accomplishments, & Awards: #131 ranked overall player - #39 ranked right handed pitcher in the state of Pennsylvania (Prep Baseball Report) … #88 ranked overall player - #34 ranked right handed pitcher in the state of Pennsylvania (Perfect Game) … Big 26 All-Star Game Participant, Big 26 All-Star Game MVP … Tri-Valley Athletic Association First Team All-Conference as a sophomore … Perfect Game All-American Honorable Mention in 2019 and 2020.
Macdonald on Kanagy: "Daniel is extremely physical. Offensively, he has lots of raw power. He has plus bat speed, has proven time and time again that he can hit velocity, and has the ability to hit the ball to all parts of the field. On the mound, this summer he sat 84-86 with an above-average breaking ball; this fall he has been up to 88. Daniel will have the opportunity to play both ways when he arrives on campus in the fall."
Family & Future Plans: Daniel has a younger brother named Aaron, and is the son of Dan and Pam. Daniel will major in Biology and hopes to pursue a career in Sports Medicine.
PRESTON KNOTT | UTIL | 5'8" 165 | Arlington-Martin HS (TX) | Stix Baseball
Why UCWV: "I chose UC because of the championship winning baseball program."
Rankings, Accomplishments, & Awards: 3 year varsity letterman at Arlington-Martin HS.
Macdonald on Knott: "Preston is one of the most competitive kids that our staff has had the opportunity to evaluate and recruit. Robbie first saw Preston at Vanderbilt University's camp two years ago. Since then, Robbie has stayed in contact with him. Preston is extremely athletic and has the potential to be a super-utility guy for us. He is a left-handed hitter with an advanced approach, exceptional adjustability, and has the ability to hit for contact. He is fun to watch. He plays the game hard & with passion."
Family & Future Plans: Preston has three older siblings, Brock, Taylor, and Brandon and is the son of Gary & Sue. Preston will major in Business and hopes to pursue a career in Finance.
GAVIN MANGUS | RHP | 6'1" 180 | Newark HS (OH) | Licking County A's/Ohio Elite
Why UCWV: "The coaching staff and all that they did throughout the recruiting process stood out more than any other school. Arriving on Charleston's campus for a visit felt like home and knowing so many other commits made me more comfortable moving away from my hometown."
Rankings, Accomplishments, & Awards: #105 ranked overall player - #38 ranked right handed pitcher in the state of Ohio (Prep Baseball Report) … #40 ranked overall player - #8 ranked right handed pitcher in the state of Ohio (Perfect Game) ... 4 year varsity letterman at Newark HS ... Top 500 player in the country (Perfect Game).
Macdonald on Mangus: "We didn't hear about Gavin until this summer. We watched him pitch a handful of times via livestream. He was the first player we saw in person after we were able to get back out on the road in September. We saw him pitch in-person for three consecutive weekends in September. Every time we saw him, we liked him more and more. Gavin is a late bloomer with his best days ahead of him. His last appearance of the fall he was 87-89 and hit 90 mph a handful of times. He is a relentless competitor with a composed and confident demeanor."
Family & Future Plans: Gavin has an older sister, Kennedi, a younger sister, Averi, and younger brother, Easton. Gavin is the son of Audra Wheeler. Gavin will major in Business and hopes to start his own business one day.
COLE PESCHL | RHP | 6'1" 185 | East Fairmont HS (WV) | Ohio Elite
Why UCWV: "I chose to commit to the University of Charleston because of the business program and the continued success of the baseball program. I love the family feeling, the team, all the coaches, and the campus."
Rankings, Accomplishments, & Awards: #18 ranked overall player - #3 ranked right handed pitcher in the state of West Virginia (Prep Baseball Report) … #13 ranked overall player - #5 ranked right handed pitcher in the state of West Virginia (Perfect Game) … First Team All-Conference as a sophomore … Perfect Game Elite National Championship All-Tournament team (2020).
Macdonald on Peschl: "Cole is an in-state arm with advanced pitchability. He has two off-speed offerings that we think will play at our level, and had a strike percentage of over 60% this summer. Most starts he sat 84-87; Perfect Game had his fastball up to 90 mph at the PG National Championships in Atlanta. Cole is a multi-sport athlete with little wear on his body and arm. Cole is confident and extremely competitive. He has a bright future in the game & in life!"
Family & Future Plans: Cole has a younger brother, Cameron, and is the son of Alex and Jamie. Cole will major in Business and hopes to earn an MBA one day.
CARTER RUST | 3B/OF | 6'3" 170 | Lakota West HS (OH) | Cincinnati Baseball Club
Why UCWV: "I chose UC because of the success of the baseball program and the size/feel of the campus."
Rankings, Accomplishments, & Awards: #131 ranked overall player - #8 ranked third baseman in the state of Ohio (Prep Baseball Report).
Macdonald on Rust: "We first saw Carter at an instructional showcase camp this summer. The first thing I noticed was his frame; thin, athletic, high waisted with long arms. Then I watched him run, hit, and throw. He ran a 6.7 - 60, threw 90+ across the infield, and hit multiple balls to the wall in BP. Carter has a special combination of speed and power. We caught a handful of his games this fall. The more we watched him, the more we liked him. He plays the game at one speed; fast. He plays with passion. You can tell he really loves the game."
Family & Future Plans: Carter has an older sister named Audrey, and is the son of Jason & Gina. Carter will major in Sports Business.
KYLE WEST | MIF | 6'3" 185 | Hedgesville HS (WV) | Appalachian Aces
Why UCWV: "The location of UC, the size of the campus, the atmosphere, and how the coaching staff welcomed me in to the program
Rankings, Accomplishments, & Awards: #5 ranked overall player - #1 ranked shortstop in the state of West Virginia (Prep Baseball Report) … All-State Special Honorable Mention as a freshman … All-State Special Honorable Mention and First Team All-Conference as a sophomore.
Macdonald on West: "Kyle had been on our radar for some time. We saw him for the first time in the spring of his sophomore year. Physically, Kyle has a great frame and still has room to fill out. He is a left handed hitter who consistently hits the ball hard and can drive the ball to all parts of the field. He has good plate discipline and an advanced approach. He has natural leadership ability and the athleticism to stay in the middle of the infield."
Family & Future Plans: Kyle is an only child, and is the son of Tony & Christa. Kyle will major in Political Science and Criminal Justice.
GIANO ZUCCARO | OF | 5'11" 180 | Berea-Midpark HS (OH) | Release Baseball
Why UCWV: "I chose the University of Charleston because it felt like home. The atmosphere at UC is amazing. UC gave me the best opportunity to succeed in baseball and in life."
Rankings, Accomplishments, & Awards: #112 ranked overall player - #17 ranked outfielder in the state of Ohio (Prep Baseball Report) … All-Conference Honorable Mention as a sophomore.
Macdonald on Zuccaro: "Giano has an attractive set of tools, but even better – consistently performs towards the peak of his ability in-game. He has a thin, athletic frame that is still filling out. He is a plus runner with a short, compact left-handed swing. He has gap-to-gap power and can create offense with his legs. Defensively, we think he has the instincts and athleticism to play center field for us one day. Giano had a great summer and fall against some of the best competition in the Midwest. The kid can flat out play!"
Family & Future Plans: Giano has two older sisters, Gabrielle and Catherine, and is the son of Jennifer and Tony. Giano will major in Business.
