Elon, N.C.- The Elon baseball program and head coach Mike Kennedy have announced 12 signings for the 2024 recruiting class. This class features 11 incoming freshmen for the 2024-25 season, along with one junior college transfer.

Among the class of 12, seven signees are primary pitchers with the Phoenix adding two left-handers and five right-handed pitchers. Elon also adds two middle infielders, one corner infielder, a catcher and a two-way player. Of the 12 signings, four are from the state of North Carolina, with two hailing from both Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Elon also added a student-athlete from Virginia, Kentucky, Texas and New Hampshire.
 

Charles Evans – C/OF
5'10 – 190 – R/R 
Austin, TX – St. Michael's Catholic Academy

• 288^th overall, 31^st positionally in the state of TX per Prep Baseball Report
• 216^th positionally ranked nationally - 224^th overall, 26^th positionally in the state per Perfect Game.
• A .441 hitter at St. Michael's and enters his senior season with a .593 career OBP. Evans has earned both First Team All-District and First Team All-State in the Lone Star State.
• Played for coach Cody Ginsberg for Tennessee Knights National where he has hit .345 from the leadoff spot.

Coach Huffstetler on Evans: "Charlie is a player that we recruited out of Texas.  He is fun to watch play!  He plays with a ton of energy, is vocal, and loves to lead on the field.  Charlie is a throwback type of player and always has the dirtiest uniform on the field.  He is a solid defensive catcher that can really catch and throw.  Offensively he is a gap-to-gap type of hitter that handles the bat really well.  Charlie is a hard worker and will bring a ton of energy to our program."
 

Jake Hajdu – MIF
5'11 – 175 – R/R
Sterling, Mass. – The Winchendon School

• 28^th overall, 4^th ranked positionally in the state of MA per Prep Baseball Report
• 559^th positionally ranked nationally - 36^th overall, 6^th positionally in the state per Perfect Game.
• A .365 hitter with a .486 OBP at the Winchendon School.
• Plays for Northeast Baseball (NEB) under head coach Scott Patterson. Teammates with commit Tommy Mitchell and plays in the same organization as Jack Lager.
• Brother, Noah, plays collegiately at Lafayette College.

Coach Huffstetler on Hajdu: "Jake and Tommy were teammates with Northeast Baseball and I was able to watch both of those guys play at the same time.  Jake has a high baseball IQ and plays the game the right way.  He is a very good defensive player that can play both middle spots at a high level.  Offensively Jake really competes and commands the strike zone.  He is a tough out.  We are excited about Jakes future here at Elon."
 
 
Kehler Hamilton – OF/RHP
6'2 – 215 – R/R
Haymarket, Va. – Highland School

• 40^th overall, 8^th ranked positionally in the state of VA per Prep Baseball Report
• 652^nd positionally ranked nationally – 79^th overall, 15^th positionally in the state per Perfect Game.
• Hamilton was a First Team All-State selection in the state of Virginia during his high school career as well as being named a Virginia Commonwealth Classic All-Star.
• He earned First Team All-Tournament PBR Commonwealth Classic honors and was voted as Highland School's Defensive MVP during the 2023 Spring season.
• Hamilton has played for both Dirt Bags National under head coach Matt Hamlet as well as the Snyder Bucks under coach Sean McCauley.

Coach Huffstetler on Hamilton: "Kehler is a legitimate 2 way commit out of Virginia.  He will see time for us in the outfield as well as on the mound.  Offensively he has very good bat speed and the ability to drive the baseball.  Kehler has a chance to be a big time run producer. On the mound his fastball has been up to 91 and he spins a very good breaking ball.  He comes from a very good high school baseball program.   We are excited about Kehler and what he brings to our program."
 

Nic Harris – RHP
6'4 – 195 – R/R
Charlotte, N.C. – Charlotte Christian

• 246^th overall, 79^th positionally in the state of NC per Prep Baseball Report
• 1264^th positionally ranked nationally – 159^th overall, 68^th positionally in the state per Perfect Game.
• Finished his junior season with a 1.69 ERA earning three wins for the Knights. Harris allowed just 13 hits in 20.2 innings of work for Charlotte Christian.
• Harris played for SBA Nationals for head coach Jake Robbins.

Coach Huffstetler on Harris: "Nic joins us from Charlotte, NC.  He plays at a very successful program at Charlotte Christian and is used to winning.  He has the frame youre looking for when youre recruiting pitchers…6*4 and 195 lbs.  Nic has a fastball that we have seen up to 90 mph and that number should continue to rise as he develops.  He has solid feel for his secondary pitches and that will allow him to compete for innings early in his career.  We are excited that Nic is a Phoenix!"
 
 
Hank Krift – RHP
6'5 – 200 – R/R
Brooksville, KY. – Bracken County High School

• 50^th overall, 23^rd ranked positionally in the state of KY per Prep Baseball Report
• 676^th ranked nationally positionally – 22^nd overall, 11 ranked positionally in the state per Perfect Game.
• During his high school career at Bracken County, Krift has pitched in 49 games with 155 innings pitched. His strikeout to walk ratio is better than 2:1 with 206 career strikeouts going into his senior year.
• At the plate, Krift has a career batting average of .310 and has driven in 69 runs over 240 at bats.
• Last season, he was a member of the 10^th Region All-Tournament Team and was awarded the 2023 King of the Hill Award.
• He plays for the Kentucky Mustang Arsenal for coaches Brad McNew and Josh Lock.

Coach Huffstetler on Krift: "Hank is the first commit we have had from Kentucky.  He is a big-bodied pitcher (6'5) that has seen his velocity continue to rise.  His fastball has heavy sink, and he has very good feel for his changeup.  Hank is continuing to develop his arsenal of pitches through his fall and winter workouts.  The ceiling is very high for Hank as he continues to develop and mature.  We are very excited about his future here at Elon."
 

Jack Lager – RHP
6'4 – 200 – R/R
Hollis, N.H. – Hollis-Brookline High School

• 2265^th positionally ranked nationally - 19^th overall, 5^th positionally in the state of NH per Perfect Game Baseball '23 class.
• A three-time all-state selection in the state of New Hampshire at Hollis-Brookline High School.
• Lager was a part of back-to-back state title teams to close out his high school career, with the Cavaliers capping a nine-game winning streak to end the year on their way to their second consecutive state title.
• Played for Northeast Baseball for coach Scott Patterson along with incoming signees Jake Hajdu and Tommy Mitchell.

Coach Huffstetler on Lager: "Jack is a pitcher that we saw late this fall and he comes from the same travel organization as Hajdu and Mitchell.  He is another guy that has the height (6*4) that youre looking for in a pitcher.  He has an easy arm action that produces upper 80's fastballs and has the ability to throw a ton of strikes.  The thing that stood out with Jack was his changeup and how advanced it was for a high school arm.  Jack will compete for innings from day 1."

 
Eric Lintelman – RHP
5'10 – 175 – L/R
West Chester, Pa. – West Chester Henderson High School

• 101^st overall, 16^th ranked positionally in the state of PA per Prep Baseball Report
• 222^nd ranked nationally positionally – 21^st overall, 8^th ranked positionally in the state per Perfect Game.
• Enters his senior season with a 1.62 career ERA and was a winner of the Carpenter's Cup, an annual tournament showcasing the top high school talent in the tri-state area of Pa., N.J., and Del.
• During his junior season, Lintelman finished the season with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 51 punchouts to just eight walks.
• Plays for eXposure Baseball under coach John Hale on the National Showcase Team.

Coach Huffstetler on Lintelman: "Eric is another arm that we saw at the WWBA tournament in Georgia.  His Fastball command is outstanding.  He uses both sides of the plate and can elevate when needed.  Eric's secondary stuff plays up and with his competitiveness we believe he will be a factor very early in his career."
 

Tommy Mitchell – LHP
6'4 – 180 – L/L
Milton, Mass. – Milton High School

• 25^th overall, 7^th ranked positionally in the state of MA per Prep Baseball Report
• 132^nd ranked positionally nationally – 14^th overall, 2^nd positionally in the state per Perfect Game.
• A two-time state champion at Milton High School, Mitchell has helped the Wildcats to a combined 46-5 record over the past two years.
• Plays for Northeast Baseball for coach Scott Patterson along with Jack Lager and Jake Hajdu. During his club career, Mitchell was a Perfect Game Gulf Coast World Series Champion.
• Mitchell also earned 17u WWBA All-Tournament honors as well as 16u Perfect Game National Elite Championship All-Tournament Team honors.  

Coach Huffstetler on Mitchell: "We are really excited about Tommy.  We targeted Tommy very early last summer and he did not disappoint throwing a no hitter against a quality opponent at the WWBA tournament in Georgia.  He has a great frame (6'5) to continue to add weight and velocity.  Tommy has really good feel for his secondary pitches and throws from a tough slot that makes hitters uncomfortable.  Tommy has a very bright future and should log meaningful innings for us early in his career."
   
 
Cade Mustard – RHP
6'0 – 165 – R/R
Harrisburg, Pa. – Central Dauphin

• 149^th overall, 42^nd ranked positionally in the state of PA per Prep Baseball Report
• 732^nd positionally ranked nationally – 64^th overall, 23^rd positionally in the state per Perfect Game.
• During his junior season at Central Dauphin, Mustard finished with 28.1 IP, two wins and three saves to go along with an ERA of .988.
• Mustard was voted as a Mid-Penn Conference All-Star during his junior season.
• Plays club for FTB Mid-Atlantic for coach Tom Herr. He finished his club season with five wins to go along with a WHIP of less than one and two complete game shutouts.
• His sister Mikayla played soccer at Youngstown State University.

Coach Huffstetler on Mustard: "Cade is an arm that we saw late in the summer.  With a fastball that we have seen up to 91 and a feel for both of his secondary pitches, Cade is a player that will help us as soon as he gets to campus.  He has a loose arm, and we feel that once he gets stronger, he will add velocity.  Cade throws a ton of strikes and we have seen him pitch against some of the best competition in the country and have success.  We are thrilled that Cade has chosen to be a Phoenix."
 
 
Ryley Norton – 1B/3B
6'2 – 235 – R/R
Pinehurst, N.C. – O'Neal/P27 Academy

• 62^nd overall, 6^th positionally in the state of NC per Prep Baseball Report
• 106^th ranked positionally nationally – 120^th overall, 9^th positionally in the state per Perfect Game.
• Played high school baseball for O'Neal batting .314 and driving in 17 runs while hitting four home runs in 35 at-bats.
• Attends the P27 Academy and plays club for Wow Factor under coach Justin Smith as well as playing for Coastal National.
• Both his father and grandfather played collegiate baseball in the Old North State with his father playing at North Carolina Wesleyan and his grandfather playing at High Point.

Coach Huffstetler on Norton: "Ryley is 1 of 4 commits that we have from North Carolina.  He has the ability to play either corner infield spot but will focus more on 1b once he gets to campus.  His calling card is his bat.  He is a big, strong, physical player that has good bat speed and can run the ball out of the park.  He has continued to work and make adjustments to his game.  He has the potential to develop into a middle of the order type of hitter.  We can't wait to get Ryley in a Phoenix uniform."
 
 
Brent Smith – MIF
6'0 – 185 – R/R
Fayetteville, N.C. – Terry Sanford High School

• 75^th overall, 14^th positionally in the state of NC per Prep Baseball Report
• 759^th ranked positionally nationally – 173th overall, 27^th ranked positionally in the state per Perfect Game.
• Smith has earned all-conference honors twice and was named the conference player of the year once during his time at Terry Sanford High School. Over four varsity seasons, he is batting .376 with an on-base percentage of .498.
• Smith is a three-sport athlete at Terry Sanford High School also playing football and soccer along with baseball. During the fall 2023 football season, Smith made 52-57 kicks converting on three field goals with a long of 40 yards. He also competed on the soccer team, tallying seven goals and ten assists for the Bulldogs during his senior season.  
• Played club ball for C35 under coach Ricky Young.
• Smith's father Mike attended Elon and is a part of the class of 1981.

Coach Huffstetler on Smith: "Brent is another North Carolina commit that we were able to follow this past summer.  He is extremely athletic and can play all 3 infield positions but will focus on shortstop once he gets to campus.  He has very good range, good arm strength, and we have seen him make every play that a college shortstop needs to be able to make.  Offensively he has very good bat speed, can hit for a high average but also drive the ball in the gaps.  We are excited about Brent's future here at Elon!"
 

Isaac Williams – LHP
6'3 – 205 – L/L
Youngsville, N.C. – UNC-Asheville/Gaston College

• 64^th overall, 14^th positionally in the state of NC per Prep Baseball Report '21 class.
• 500^th overall, 180^th positionally ranked nationally – 66^th overall, 9^th positionally in the state per Perfect Game '21 class.
• Williams was a four-time all-conference selection at Wake Forest High School as well as being named a Third Team All-State pick as well. Posted a 0.97 ERA in seven appearances as a senior before committing to UNC-Asheville.
• Williams spent two years with the Bulldogs, redshirting his freshman season before making seven appearances during his redshirt-freshman season. Williams made two starts as well for the Bulldogs, compiling 7.2 innings pitched along with five strikeouts.
• Played club for Dirtbags All Black under coach Jon Walker. Isaac's little sister, Olivia Williams, currently plays softball at UNC-Charlotte.

Coach Huffstetler on Williams: "Isaac is the lone junior college transfer in this class.  He comes to us from a very successful program, Gaston College.  Isaac will bring a much-needed left handed arm to our staff.  He has the ability to either start or come out of the pen and is comfortable doing both.  He has an upper 80's fastball and 2 solid secondary offerings and that will allow him to compete for meaningful innings once he gets to campus.  We are thrilled that Isaac is coming to Elon."     
 
Elon will begin the 2024 campaign with a home series against the Naval Academy with Opening Day on Feb.16.