SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – University of Sioux Falls Head Baseball Coach Grant Hieb has announced that six student-athletes have signed and will continue their athletic and academic careers in the fall of 2022.

The group of talented players include: Logan Anderson, RHP/1B, Omaha, Neb.; Roberto (Daniel) Leon, SS/CF, Chula Vista, Calif.; Nolan Drossel, SS/2B, Woodbury, Minn.; Nate Hammerback, 3B/1B, Alexandria, Minn.; Ashton Pick, RHP, North Sioux City, S.D.; and Cole Wright, RHP, North Platte, Neb.

"My coaching staff and I feel like we landed some great student-athletes in this class that will have a positive impact at the University of Sioux Falls sooner than later," said Hieb, who begins his sixth year at USF. "We believe our program has taken huge steps the past couple of years and that these student-athletes will help our program continue to build on that momentum. We've focused on recruiting student-athletes that are not only good students and talented baseball players, but ones that truly love the game of baseball and want to be part of what we're building here at the Coo," he said.

Hieb believes the talent level of the group is as rich as any in recent memory.

"Time will tell, but I strongly believe this is a great start to bringing in the most talented group that I've had since I took over as the Head Coach at USF, said Hieb. "I feel like my coaching staff did an excellent job finding student-athletes that both fit our style of play, and excel in the classroom. I'm looking forward to getting these young men on campus next fall and getting a chance to start to work with them."


 

Logan Anderson, 6-4, 200, RHP/1B, Omaha, Neb./Millard South
Anderson is a two-way standout that had a solid junior season when he hit .290 with a .400 on-base percentage with 25 hits, including 6 doubles, a triple, plus 19 runs batted in and 12 runs scored.  Anderson also had a 2.50 earned run average in 23.2 innings with 12 strikeouts and held opposing hitters to a .219 batting average. Anderson played for the Millard South P52's (American Legion) and the Nebraska Prospects club team. The son of Kelsey Mungin and Pete Anderson, he has six siblings – Tre, Aaliyah, Brody, Ella, Nova and Barrett. He plans to major in exercise science at USF.

"Logan is physical athlete who we think will help us on both sides of the ball. He has tremendous upside and is only starting to tap into his potential," Hieb said about Anderson. "He didn't begin pitching until later in his prep career and we feel he has a lot of room for growth on the mound. He also has shown some pop at the plate. We feel Logan has a very high ceiling and are looking forward to working with him when he gets on-campus next fall."


Roberto Daniel Leon, 5-8, 150, INF, Chula Vista, Calif.

Leon hit .433 in 20 games with a 457 on-base percentage. He had 29 hits, 10 RBI and 13 runs scored in 2020-21. He received the Silver Slugger in 2019 and was the Max Preps Player of the Game in the Metro Mesa Conference.  He was also chosen to participate in the High School Junior Showcase in San Diego, Calif. He was part of the 2016 Little League West Region Championship team that participated in the Little League World Series.  He has played club baseball for the California Bears, Garciaparra San Diego, Advance Baseball, and MVP Baseball. The son of Roberto and Evangeline Leon-Torres, he has two sisters – Isabella and Gabrielle. His sister Isabella played softball at UC Davis. He is undecided on his college major.

"Daniel is a solid all-around ballplayer that fits our style of play very well. He's a plus defender up the middle with great hands. We also loved his aggressiveness on the bases and how hard he plays the game," said Hieb of Leon. "He's not the biggest guy, but possesses good power at the plate that we think has a chance to be a dynamic player for us in the future. We can't wait to get him out here."

 

Nolan Drossel, 6'0" 160, IF, Woodbury Minn. (Woodbury High School)

A two-sport standout, baseball and basketball, Drossel started at shortstop, earning all-section honors as well as Suburban East Conference honorable mention. He hit .342 with a .383 on-base percentage, nine runs batted in, seven for seven on stolen base attempts, and a .971 fielding percentage. Drossel, who served as an assistant coach for a youth summer baseball team and earned an academic letter in 2020, was also a standout for the Great Lakes Baseball Academy club team. The son of Chris and Melissa Drossel, he has a sister, Lexi. He plans to major in biology.

 

"Nolan is a hard-nosed, athletic ballplayer that fits our system perfect," Hieb said of Drossel. "He's got a smooth, left-handed swing and has a knack of finding his way on-base. He's a great base runner with instincts that you can't teach. We're excited to get him here next fall."

 

Nate Hammerback, 5'11" 170, C/IF, Alexandria Minn. (Alexandria High School)
A two-sport standout, baseball and football, Hammerback has twice earned Player of the Game honors as a standout infielder. He was elected team captain by his teammates both his junior and senior year. Hammerback has earned the Spotlight on Scholarship Award from the Central Lake Conference for baseball from 2018-2022 by maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA. He has been on the Honor Roll each year in high school, has been named to the National Honors Society, and has participated in the Center for Advanced Professional Studies. He has participated with the Minnesota Blizzard and Minnesota Swing Kings club teams. The son of Joy and Jerrod Hammerback, he has two brothers – Conner and Casey. He plans to major in finance or physical therapy at USF.

"As a coaching staff we were impressed with Nate's ability to hit with power to all fields. His versatility was a plus as well as he can play both corner spots in the infield and outfield," Hieb said of Hammerback. "Nate also has all the values that we're looking for in our student-athletes, great ballplayer, excellent student, and even a better person. We can't wait to get him to Sioux Falls."

 

Ashton Pick, 6'2" 180, RHP, North Sioux City, SD (Dakota Valley High School)

Pick is a right-handed pitcher from Dakota Valley High School in North Sioux City, S.D. The son of David and Andrea Pick, he plans to major in exercise science.

"Ashton came on our radar a little later than the other student-athletes we signed in this class due to a late growth spurt costing him his junior season. He's a late bloomer that we think has a chance to be really good on the mound once he grows into his frame and gets a chance to develop in our program," Hieb said about Pick. "Like of lot of guys in this class, Ashton has a big frame that will benefit greatly from time and commitment in the weight room. We can't wait to get him here so we can start working with him."

 

Cole Wright, 6'4" 195, RHP, North Platte Neb. (North Platte High School)

Wright is a two-sport standout that excels in baseball and football.  He has pitched and played in the outfield for the First Nationals (American Legion) team and also played wide receiver and cornerback for the high school football team. The son of Matthew Wright and Mike and Nancy Hansen, he has a brother, Cody. He intends to major in physical therapy.

"Cole is multi-sport athlete who we feel has a very high ceiling on the mound," Hieb said. "He's long, athletic and has a great work ethic. All characteristics that we feel will help him be a major contributor in our program in years to come. We're excited to see what he can do once he gets on-campus."