June 20, 2014
WACO, Texas- Baylor baseball added three players to its 2015 roster in RHP Blake Allen, IF Justin Arrington and RHP Kody Hessemer, the program announced Friday. The additions give the Bears four incoming pitchers and two infielders and outfielders apiece for the 2015 roster.
A 6-4, 205-pound pitcher from Austin (Anderson HS), Allen only played baseball in his final two seasons at AHS. As a senior, he compiled a 1.76 ERA with 65 strikeouts as he was named a second-team All-District hurler. In 2013, he was a first-team All-District choice after setting a team record for district ERA at 0.18. He also lettered three years in football and was a two-time All-District player.
"Blake is a strong-bodied right-handed pitcher with a lot of upside," Baylor head coach Steve Smith said. "I'm excited to have someone of his potential to work with."
Arrington joins the Bears as a 5-10, 180-pound middle infielder from Hill College. Last season, he hit .283 with 20 RBI and 15 steals in 54 games for the Rebels. He was even better in 2013 as he hit .357 with 33 RBI and 13 steals in 50 games. Prior to his two seasons at Hill, he was a 2012 Perfect Game All-Texas Region honorable mention at Plano Senior High School. In 2011 at PSHS, he hit .322 with 24 RBI in 37 games.
"Justin has exceptional defensive skills at shortstop and will be in the mix to replace Brett Doe and Lawton Langford," said Smith.
Hessemer stands as a 6-0, 175-pound pitcher from McLennan Community College. Last season, he helped MCC get within two outs of reaching the JUCO World Series as he was 6-3 with a 3.99 ERA and three complete games with 41 strikeouts in 70 innings. In 2013, he went 2-4 with a 3.10 ERA and two complete games with 29 strikeouts in 61 innings. Before his two campaigns at MCC, Hessemer was a four-year letterwinner at Concordia Lutheran High School. In his final season at CLHS, he was named first-team All-State and All-District and Team MVP as he went 7-1 on the mound with a 1.30 ERA.
"Kody Hessemer had a great sophomore season at MCC and pitched his way to the top of their rotation," Smith said. "We expect him to be able to contribute immediately."
| BAYLOR BASEBALL 2015 NEWCOMERS |
| POS. | HT. | WT. | B-T | CLASS | HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL) |
| Blake Allen | RHP | 6-4 | 205 | R-R | FR | Austin, Texas (Anderson HS) |
| Justin Arrington | IF | 5-10 | 180 | L-R | JR | Plano, Texas (Hill JC) |
| Richard Cunningham | OF | 5-10 | 180 | L-L | FR | Austin, Texas (Stephen F. Austin HS) |
| Jonathan Ducoff | IF | 6-1 | 190 | R-R | FR | Kingwood, Texas (Kingwood Park HS) |
| Levi Gilcrease | OF | 6-0 | 175 | R-R | FR | Odessa, Fla. (Home School) |
| Kody Hessemer | RHP | 6-0 | 175 | R-R | JR | Tomball, Texas (McLennan CC) |
| Theron Kay | RHP | 6-0 | 170 | L-R | FR | San Jose, Calif. (Valley Christian HS) |
| Hudson Pearson | LHP | 6-2 | 195 | R-L | FR | Chula Vista, Calif. (Eastlake HS) |
-BU-
