ELON, N.C. – Elon University baseball head coach Mike Kennedy announced Friday morning, Nov. 30, the signing of eight players that will join the program in the fall of 2019. Committing to play for the Phoenix is catcher Willie Havens (Amelia, Va./Amelia County); infielder JP Sponseller, (Mason, Ohio/Mason); outfielders Alex Iadisernia (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) and Stephen Paolini (Fairfield, Conn.); and right-handed pitchers Spencer Bauer (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan), Ian Evans (Lockport, N.Y./Wilson), Sean O'Connell (Natick, Mass./Boston College HS), and Joe Savino (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot).

"I am very excited about this class," said Kennedy. "On paper this is one of the best classes we have assembled in my time here at Elon. Coach Robbie Huffstetler, our recruiting coordinator, and Coach Sean McGrath have done a great job identifying our needs and putting together a Class that we believe will allow us to compete for championships for years to come!"

Willie Havens • 6-2 • 185
Catcher • L/R
Amelia, Va. • Amelia County

Huffstetler on Havens: "Willie is a left-handed hitting catcher that could also see time on the corner infield. He receives well and has a very good arm. He has a great frame that our pitchers will like to throw to. Willie has an advanced approach at the plate that will allow him to compete for playing time immediately."

Honors/Highlights
• Played for coach Allen Swearingin
• Also played varsity football
• 2018 Second Team All-State, First Team All-Conference, and First Team All-District
• 2018 Amelia County HS MVP and Offensive Player of the Year
• 2017 Second Team All-Conference, Second Team All-District, and Amelia County HS Defensive Player of the Year
• 2016 Honorable Mention All-Conference, Honorable Mention All-District, and Amelia County HS Offensive Player of the Year

Personal
• Son of Wayne and Stacie Havens
• Brother Michael Smith played football at William and Mary and brother Juston Havens played basketball at Bridgewater College.
• Born on Dec. 5, 2000

JP Sponseller • 5-11 • 200
Infielder • L/R
Mason, Ohio • Mason

Huffstetler on Sponseller: "JP is a guy that can really swing the bat. He has an advanced approach and a great feel for hitting. He has the ability to hit for average as well as for power. JP will see time at first base as well as in left field."

Honors/Highlights
• Played for coach Curt Bly
• 2018 GMC Conference Champion, Ohio Division I District Champion, and Ohio Division I Regional Champion
• 2018 First Team All-Conference and Conference Player of the Year
• 2018 Ohio Division I First Team All-State
• 2018 First Team All-City

Personal
• Son of Bob and Carrie Sponseller
• Brother Ty plays football at the University of Cincinnati and brother Lee played baseball at Ohio Dominican University and Coastal Carolina University
• Born on April 18, 2001

Alex Iadisernia • 6-0 • 175
Outfielder • L/L
Jackson, N.J. • Jackson Memorial

Huffstetler on Iadisernia: "Alex is a versatile player with the ability to play all three outfield spots with no issues. He has a really flat swing that allows him to use the whole field. He is more of a gap-to-gap hitter as of now, but we think he will develop more power as he matures. Alex is a very aggressive baserunner and will create run-scoring opportunities for his teammates."

Honors/Highlights
• Played for coach Frank Malta
• 2018 Class A South Champion and South Jersey Group 4 Champion
• 2018 First Team All-Shore, First Team All-Group 4, and Third Team All-State
• 2017-18 Ocean County All-Star
• 2017 Second Team All-Shore
• Carpenter Cup Team
• With club team Baseball U, was a six-time Perfect Game All-Tournament Team selection and Underclass Honorable Mention
• Played in the 2017 WWBA Underclass World Championship

Personal
• Son of Anthony and Lori Iadisernia
• Born on Oct. 11, 2000

Stephen Paolini • 6-2 • 195
Outfielder • L/L
Fairfield, Conn. • St. Joseph

Huffstetler on Paolini: "Stephen is a true five-tool player. He has the ability to come in and be an impact player in our program. Stephen can play all three outfield spots and has a plus arm. He is very athletic and has plus bat speed."

Honors/Highlights
• Previously attended Fairfield Warde High School
• Played for coach Jim Chaves
• All-FCIAC, All-State, and All-State Junior Select Team honors
• President's Honor Roll
• Played club ball at The Clubhouse, earning All-Tournament Team honors in 2016
• Played in 2017 WWBA Underclass World Championship
• 2017 PG Super 25, PG All-American, and 17u All-Tournament Team honors

Personal
• Son of Mark Paolini and Sharon Levine
• Born on Nov. 23, 2000

Spencer Bauer • 6-2 • 215
Pitcher • R/R
Manasquan, N.J. • Manasquan

Huffstetler on Bauer: "Spencer possesses the best breaking ball in this class. He has a true swing-and-miss slider. He has added strength since he verbally committed, and we have seen his velocity increase. Spencer has the potential to be a weekend starter very early in his career."

Honors/Highlights
• Previously played at Christian Brothers Academy before transferring to Manasquan High School
• While at CBA, he helped coach Brennan Gordon's program win a conference title
• Two-time Preseason Underclass All-American
• Pitched a no-hitter
• Honor roll
• Played club ball for Sportika Gallagher, where he was named the Diamond Nation Tournament MVP and was a five-time Perfect Game All-Tournament Team honoree

Personal
• Son of Tom and former Florida State swimmer Jackie Bauer
• Born on Sept. 18, 2000

Ian Evans • 6-4 • 190
Pitcher • R/R
Lockport, N.Y. • Wilson

Huffstetler on Evans: "Ian has a perfect pitchers frame. He competes on the mound and does what it takes to win. He comes to us from Buffalo, N.Y., so we feel the more repetitions that he gets the better he will be. The sky is the limit for Ian and we feel he has the potential to be a weekend arm early in his career."

Honors/Highlights
• Spent two years at Lewiston Porter before transferring to Wilson
• Four-year varsity starter
• Played for Mark Waple at Lewiston Porter and Mark Kurtz at Wilson
• Earned All-League, All-WNY, and Scholar-Athlete honors
• 2017 Sectional Semi Finalist
• 2018 All-Academic honors
• Earned Coaches Award as a freshman and sophomore
• Posted a 0.866 ERA in 2018
• Received Honor Roll and Merit Roll honors
• 2018-19 National Society of High School Scholars

Personal
• Son of Lyle Evans and Diane Magliazzo
• Brother Tyler Magliazzo plays hockey at Niagara University and brother Lucas Evans plays baseball at Niagara County CC
• Born on May 17, 2001
 
Sean O'Connell • 6-1 • 190
Pitcher • L/R
Natick, Mass. • Boston College HS

Huffstetler on O'Connell: "Sean is a pitcher that is continuing to develop as he gets stronger. He has the most pitch ability of any arm in this recruiting class. Sean has an above average change up that he can throw in any count. He is a strike thrower that really competes on the mound. He comes from a high school that has produced many good players. We are excited about his addition."

Honors
• Two-time All-Super 8 Tournament selection
• Two-time Scholar-Athlete
• Played for coach Norm Walsh
• 2017 Catholic Conference Champions
• High Honors student
• Played club ball with Northeast Baseball

Personal
• Son of Daniel and Tracey O'Connell
• Brother Danny plays hockey at Franklin Pierce University
• Born on July 12, 2000
 
Joe Savino • 6-3 • 200
Pitcher • R/R
Ronkonkoma, N.Y. • Connetquot

Huffstetler on Savino: "Joe is a pitcher out of N.Y. that we are very high on. He has the ability to throw three pitches for strikes and competes. He comes from a very good high school and summer program and is used to winning. Joe has competed against some of the best players in the country and had success. Joe will compete for a weekend rotation spot early in his career."

Honors/Highlights
• Played for coached Rob Burger
• All-Long Island, All-County, and All-League honors
• Reached the playoff semifinals and final four
• Is a member of the National Honor Society, National Business Honor Society, and National Foreign Language Honor Society

Personal
• Son of John and Margaret Savino
• Born on Feb. 8, 2001