Three area players highlight WNC recruiting

Western Nevada College baseball coach D.J. Whittemore added three local student-athletes to join his 2015 recruiting class.

The list is topped by Reno High third baseman Jeremy Peterson and southpaw pitcher Matt Young. Also signing on is Galena catcher Tim Lichty.

They join eight other prep players have signed letters of intent to play for the Wildcats in 2015. They include:

Gabe Farrer, a utility player from Alta High School in Sandy, Utah; Jon Guzman, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman from Henley High School in Klamath Falls, Ore.; Gehrig Teahon, a shortstop from Cottonwood High School in Salt Lake City; Bridger Nielson, a southpaw from Skyline High School in Salt Lake City; Blake Morin, a catcher and second baseman from Park City High School in Park City, Utah; Parker Woodley, an outfielder from Canby High School in Aurora, Ore.; Jordan Atkinson, a left-handed pitcher from British Columbia, Canada; and Izac Bauer, an outfielder from Chief Sealth High School in Seattle.

“This is a great start to our recruiting class. All of these players have the character and work ethic to be hugely successful in our program,” Whittemore said. “We are particularly pleased that we were able to recruit players from winning high school programs and (coached by) some outstanding prep coaches.”

Peterson earned first-team all-High Desert League honors as a sophomore and junior. Last season, he belted 10 home runs and knocked in 45 runs in 103 at-bats.

His power numbers didn’t decline while playing American Legion ball for the Reno team last summer. He added 11 homers and 52 RBI, giving him 21 long balls and 97 RBI between the two teams. He batted .398 in 2013.

“Jeremy is the type of player that we have been lucky enough to recruit in the past that can compete for a starting position on the first day of practice,” Whittemore said.

Reno High School coach Pete Savage has seen Peterson develop into one of the most feared hitters in the state.

“Jeremy is an extremely good power hitter and a very good offensive weapon in the middle of our lineup,” Savage said. Peterson also is a starting forward on the Huskies’ basketball team.

As a junior, the 5-11 Young posted a 7-4 record and 2.81 earned run average for the Huskies. He fanned 65 hitters and walked 11 in 62 innings.

“Matt is a great competitor and a gifted athlete with drive and toughness to win every time on the field,” Whittemore said. “Mentally, he is capable of leading a team and can change the game with his physical tools.”

The 6-foot 1-inch, 200-pound Lichty hit better than .500 as a junior at Galena and was a first-team all-state selection.

“We are excited about his proven ability to hit,” Whittemore said. “Tim is a left-handed hitter that can hit the ball to all fields and stays balanced during his swing. We are also excited because he comes from one of the top programs in the North, coached by Carson legend Ron McNutt.”

Whittemore said the coaching staff plans to continue recruiting into the spring, focusing on two specific areas.

“We have addressed our needs behind the plate and from the left side of the mound. We will continue to recruit outfielders and right-handed pitchers this spring,” he said.