University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Colorado Trio Writing New Chapter at the 'U'
10/24/2019 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
On May 27, 2018, Mountain Vista High School ace Jack Liffrig polished off a complete game to seal the Colorado Class 5A State Championship, effectively ending his high school career. It was one heck of a way to go out, as the senior's effort powered the Golden Eagles to a 7-2 victory that day.
As Liffrig celebrated the championship, he did so with two teammates and longtime friends by his side, shortstop Drew Stahl and co-ace/first baseman Sam Ireland. Although Liffrig had just thrown his final pitch in a Mountain Vista uniform, this would not be the last time this trio would suit up together.
When Minnesota officially began fall practices this past September, these three could all be found within the confines of Siebert Field. Each of their stories is different. Each of them found their way to the Maroon and Gold in their own unique way. But now, as the 2020 season approaches, they are all proud Minnesota Gophers.
"Knowing that we've come from the same high school, three of us, to the same Division I university is crazy," said Stahl. "It's super cool to see your friends, as well as yourself, going out and doing things that you've always dreamed of. It makes you feel proud of them and yourself."
Most high school athletes do not even go on to compete at the collegiate level, therefore having three ballplayers from the same school all wind up at a single Power Five institution is a rarity.
"Something like two percent of people who play high school baseball go on to play Division I baseball, so three dudes from one team is pretty absurd," Liffrig said.
"It's just funny how it happened."
Stahl and Ireland have now been playing baseball together for over a decade. At the age of eight, the two longtime friends began playing for Bulldogs Baseball, a travel team in Colorado. They shared many moments throughout their upbringing, such as going to Cooperstown, N.Y. together, hanging around at the pool and playing video games – living the prototypical American childhood.
Their relationship with Liffrig did not come about until they were 13 and began high school at Mount Vista, but it did not take long for the three to form a bond.
"It was the fall of our freshman year, [Liffrig's] sophomore year, and we had to attend these morning workouts," said Ireland. "We had to be at the gym at the high school at 5:45 a.m. Nobody wanted to be there. That really brought us all together."
From that point forward, this triumvirate began to lay the groundwork for something truly special at Mount Vista. Whether it was morning lifts or practice shenanigans, Liffrig, Ireland and Stahl quickly grew close. On one occasion, Liffrig nearly flooded the mound while attempting to water it prior to one of Ireland's starts. It took an entire group of players working on the infield with brooms to save the game that day.
"I just looked at Sam and said, 'Well, at least the mound looks good,'" Liffrig said about the incident.
During Ireland and Stahl's freshman year, the team experienced its fair share of adversity. However, as the three progressed into upperclassmen, the leadership dynamic of the entire team changed.
By the time Ireland and Stahl were juniors and Liffrig a senior, the Mountain Vista team was turning heads. In the regular season, they went 21-0 with Liffrig and Ireland serving as the team's co-ace pitchers, while Stahl served as a regular at shortstop. By the end of the campaign, all three future Gophers were state champions.
Shortly before the start of that championship season, Ireland, a junior, had committed to play baseball at the University of Minnesota. Both of his teammates, Liffrig and Stahl, cemented plans of their own, with the former taking his talents to the University of Utah and the latter committing to Washington State.
As Liffrig departed the state of Colorado to continue his career at Utah, it appeared as though the magic these three players shared during their three years at Mountain Vista was all but through. One year passed, and at about that time Ireland was getting ready to make the transition from a Golden Eagles jersey to donning the Maroon and Gold. Little did he know, his two high school teammates would be joining him.
After one year at Utah, Liffrig decided to transfer, ultimately electing to come to Minnesota after discussions with the coaching staff and Ireland himself. Shortly thereafter, Stahl was searching for a new destination as well on the heels of a coaching change at Washington State. After visiting Minnesota's campus and talking things over with his two former teammates, Stahl made it official. There would be not two, but three Mountain Vista graduates in this year's incoming class of Gophers.
"They were both super receptive to it and I think that's a part of our bond that we've had forever," said Stahl. "It was almost like they wanted you to come here."
Liffrig echoed this sentiment, but explained the degree of unexpectedness the entire situation brought about.
"If you asked 13-year-old us where we were going to end up at school, we're all probably saying different schools," said Liffrig. "I think we all found reasons that we love this place uniquely because we are all vastly different players."
It is not uncommon for a university to build a pipeline-esque relationship with a particular high school program, but it is much rarer when this occurs beyond state lines. What makes this situation all the more puzzling are the methods by which each of these three players made their way to the U: each took a different path, yet the trio all brought their talents to Minnesota in the end.
"The thing I kind of realized through the whole process, is as much as you play for a school, or a state, or wherever you're playing, you play for people," said Stahl. "There's no other staff like it. When [head coach John Anderson] says that he's preparing you for the next 50 years of your life, I think he really means it. This culture is completely different from the other schools I visited. I'm really happy everything worked out how it did."
All three players reiterated the importance the Minnesota coaching staff played in their decision. For Ireland, having committed to the U long before his two teammates, this was no different.
"For us to come here from Colorado, what really brought me here was the coaching staff," said Ireland. "What [Coach Anderson] has done over the last 39 years and the culture he brings, and what Ty McDevitt and Patrick Casey are really working towards is what truly brought me here."
The same went for Liffrig, who referenced both the coaching staff and the one-of-a-kind team culture that has become a staple of Gopher Baseball.
"I kind of realized it's the people you surround yourself with," said Liffrig. "I could play with a milk carton for a glove and I wouldn't care. I would rather have that and be surrounded by people I love being around every day."
As the end of October draws near, Liffrig, Ireland and Stahl have officially wrapped up their first fall practice season together in Minneapolis. Ireland and Stahl both competed on the diamond throughout September, even taking the field together at various times throughout the schedule.
"The first time that we went out on the field together and I saw them in the Minnesota uniforms, it was crazy," said Stahl. "We all came from the same place and now it's more on a national stage instead of the local high school level."
Just two months into their Gopher tenure, the trio is already at home and embedded into the Minnesota Baseball culture.
"I love showing up to practice every day," said Liffrig. "On the days that I throw and feel like I'm part of the staff, it's unbelievable."
As a freshman, Ireland's favorite part about being a Gopher has been the camaraderie with the guys on the team. Despite the closeness of the group, the players never lose sight of their daily goals on the practice field.
"Everybody is here to work hard and get their stuff done," said Ireland. "We all need it. It's an extra push to make yourself better and make your teammates better."
Something that seemed literally impossible just months ago, the three Mountain Vista grads are now inching closer to embarking on their Gopher careers. After turning their high school program into a state champion, these student-athletes all possess a winning background trademarked by strong leadership attributes. Now at the U, the Colorado crew intends to continue their winnings ways and accomplish even more than they did during their high school days.
"Together, we have a team goal and part of the reason we came here is we think we can help take a team to Omaha," said Stahl. "I just want to see these guys have a good college experience and enjoy it. This is a great place to be and the culture is really driven for us to be able to achieve our dreams."
As the three longtime friends set off on their collegiate journey along with 31 other Minnesota teammates, there are obviously many special moments ahead that remain to be written. The fall season provided a brief taste of what it will eventually be like for all three to be competing alongside one another in regular season action.
"Ever since we were eight years old, it's been the same feeling that it has been now," said Ireland. "If I'm pitching and there's a ground ball to short, I know Drew is over there and he's going to make the play."
For Stahl, this feeling of respect and an odd sort of parental pride was mutual.
"Getting to play with these guys before coming here, you have a certain bond and chemistry with each other that's unique because it's from a longer part of your life," said Stahl. "I remember watching [Sam] throw his first college inning. It gives me goosebumps thinking about it now."
For the time being, all is quiet amidst the late October air which brings a sleeping giant type of feel to college baseball. Yet, in less than four months, the action will begin and Liffrig, Ireland and Stahl are ready for yet another chapter in their baseball story together.
"It's going to be a really unique feeling and one that I'll probably remember for a long time," said Liffrig. "What a long way we've come."
As Liffrig celebrated the championship, he did so with two teammates and longtime friends by his side, shortstop Drew Stahl and co-ace/first baseman Sam Ireland. Although Liffrig had just thrown his final pitch in a Mountain Vista uniform, this would not be the last time this trio would suit up together.
When Minnesota officially began fall practices this past September, these three could all be found within the confines of Siebert Field. Each of their stories is different. Each of them found their way to the Maroon and Gold in their own unique way. But now, as the 2020 season approaches, they are all proud Minnesota Gophers.
"Knowing that we've come from the same high school, three of us, to the same Division I university is crazy," said Stahl. "It's super cool to see your friends, as well as yourself, going out and doing things that you've always dreamed of. It makes you feel proud of them and yourself."
Most high school athletes do not even go on to compete at the collegiate level, therefore having three ballplayers from the same school all wind up at a single Power Five institution is a rarity.
"Something like two percent of people who play high school baseball go on to play Division I baseball, so three dudes from one team is pretty absurd," Liffrig said.
"It's just funny how it happened."
Stahl and Ireland have now been playing baseball together for over a decade. At the age of eight, the two longtime friends began playing for Bulldogs Baseball, a travel team in Colorado. They shared many moments throughout their upbringing, such as going to Cooperstown, N.Y. together, hanging around at the pool and playing video games – living the prototypical American childhood.
Their relationship with Liffrig did not come about until they were 13 and began high school at Mount Vista, but it did not take long for the three to form a bond.
"It was the fall of our freshman year, [Liffrig's] sophomore year, and we had to attend these morning workouts," said Ireland. "We had to be at the gym at the high school at 5:45 a.m. Nobody wanted to be there. That really brought us all together."
From that point forward, this triumvirate began to lay the groundwork for something truly special at Mount Vista. Whether it was morning lifts or practice shenanigans, Liffrig, Ireland and Stahl quickly grew close. On one occasion, Liffrig nearly flooded the mound while attempting to water it prior to one of Ireland's starts. It took an entire group of players working on the infield with brooms to save the game that day.
"I just looked at Sam and said, 'Well, at least the mound looks good,'" Liffrig said about the incident.
During Ireland and Stahl's freshman year, the team experienced its fair share of adversity. However, as the three progressed into upperclassmen, the leadership dynamic of the entire team changed.
By the time Ireland and Stahl were juniors and Liffrig a senior, the Mountain Vista team was turning heads. In the regular season, they went 21-0 with Liffrig and Ireland serving as the team's co-ace pitchers, while Stahl served as a regular at shortstop. By the end of the campaign, all three future Gophers were state champions.
Shortly before the start of that championship season, Ireland, a junior, had committed to play baseball at the University of Minnesota. Both of his teammates, Liffrig and Stahl, cemented plans of their own, with the former taking his talents to the University of Utah and the latter committing to Washington State.
As Liffrig departed the state of Colorado to continue his career at Utah, it appeared as though the magic these three players shared during their three years at Mountain Vista was all but through. One year passed, and at about that time Ireland was getting ready to make the transition from a Golden Eagles jersey to donning the Maroon and Gold. Little did he know, his two high school teammates would be joining him.
After one year at Utah, Liffrig decided to transfer, ultimately electing to come to Minnesota after discussions with the coaching staff and Ireland himself. Shortly thereafter, Stahl was searching for a new destination as well on the heels of a coaching change at Washington State. After visiting Minnesota's campus and talking things over with his two former teammates, Stahl made it official. There would be not two, but three Mountain Vista graduates in this year's incoming class of Gophers.
"They were both super receptive to it and I think that's a part of our bond that we've had forever," said Stahl. "It was almost like they wanted you to come here."
Liffrig echoed this sentiment, but explained the degree of unexpectedness the entire situation brought about.
"If you asked 13-year-old us where we were going to end up at school, we're all probably saying different schools," said Liffrig. "I think we all found reasons that we love this place uniquely because we are all vastly different players."
It is not uncommon for a university to build a pipeline-esque relationship with a particular high school program, but it is much rarer when this occurs beyond state lines. What makes this situation all the more puzzling are the methods by which each of these three players made their way to the U: each took a different path, yet the trio all brought their talents to Minnesota in the end.
"The thing I kind of realized through the whole process, is as much as you play for a school, or a state, or wherever you're playing, you play for people," said Stahl. "There's no other staff like it. When [head coach John Anderson] says that he's preparing you for the next 50 years of your life, I think he really means it. This culture is completely different from the other schools I visited. I'm really happy everything worked out how it did."
All three players reiterated the importance the Minnesota coaching staff played in their decision. For Ireland, having committed to the U long before his two teammates, this was no different.
"For us to come here from Colorado, what really brought me here was the coaching staff," said Ireland. "What [Coach Anderson] has done over the last 39 years and the culture he brings, and what Ty McDevitt and Patrick Casey are really working towards is what truly brought me here."
The same went for Liffrig, who referenced both the coaching staff and the one-of-a-kind team culture that has become a staple of Gopher Baseball.
"I kind of realized it's the people you surround yourself with," said Liffrig. "I could play with a milk carton for a glove and I wouldn't care. I would rather have that and be surrounded by people I love being around every day."
As the end of October draws near, Liffrig, Ireland and Stahl have officially wrapped up their first fall practice season together in Minneapolis. Ireland and Stahl both competed on the diamond throughout September, even taking the field together at various times throughout the schedule.
"The first time that we went out on the field together and I saw them in the Minnesota uniforms, it was crazy," said Stahl. "We all came from the same place and now it's more on a national stage instead of the local high school level."
Just two months into their Gopher tenure, the trio is already at home and embedded into the Minnesota Baseball culture.
"I love showing up to practice every day," said Liffrig. "On the days that I throw and feel like I'm part of the staff, it's unbelievable."
As a freshman, Ireland's favorite part about being a Gopher has been the camaraderie with the guys on the team. Despite the closeness of the group, the players never lose sight of their daily goals on the practice field.
"Everybody is here to work hard and get their stuff done," said Ireland. "We all need it. It's an extra push to make yourself better and make your teammates better."
Something that seemed literally impossible just months ago, the three Mountain Vista grads are now inching closer to embarking on their Gopher careers. After turning their high school program into a state champion, these student-athletes all possess a winning background trademarked by strong leadership attributes. Now at the U, the Colorado crew intends to continue their winnings ways and accomplish even more than they did during their high school days.
"Together, we have a team goal and part of the reason we came here is we think we can help take a team to Omaha," said Stahl. "I just want to see these guys have a good college experience and enjoy it. This is a great place to be and the culture is really driven for us to be able to achieve our dreams."
As the three longtime friends set off on their collegiate journey along with 31 other Minnesota teammates, there are obviously many special moments ahead that remain to be written. The fall season provided a brief taste of what it will eventually be like for all three to be competing alongside one another in regular season action.
"Ever since we were eight years old, it's been the same feeling that it has been now," said Ireland. "If I'm pitching and there's a ground ball to short, I know Drew is over there and he's going to make the play."
For Stahl, this feeling of respect and an odd sort of parental pride was mutual.
"Getting to play with these guys before coming here, you have a certain bond and chemistry with each other that's unique because it's from a longer part of your life," said Stahl. "I remember watching [Sam] throw his first college inning. It gives me goosebumps thinking about it now."
For the time being, all is quiet amidst the late October air which brings a sleeping giant type of feel to college baseball. Yet, in less than four months, the action will begin and Liffrig, Ireland and Stahl are ready for yet another chapter in their baseball story together.
"It's going to be a really unique feeling and one that I'll probably remember for a long time," said Liffrig. "What a long way we've come."
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