University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Add Two Colorado Natives to 2019-20 Class
7/12/2019 9:00:00 AM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota Head Baseball Coach John Anderson announced this past week that the Gophers will be welcoming two more student-athletes for the upcoming 2020 season.
Jack Liffrig (Highlands Ranch, Colorado) and Drew Stahl (Castle Rock, Colorado) serve as late additions to the maroon and gold, whose incoming recruiting class now stands an even 10 newcomers. Both Stahl and Liffrig attended Mountain Vista High School in Colorado, with the latter coming to Minnesota after spending one season at the University of Utah.
"I'm very excited about these additions to our already very strong 2019 recruiting class," said Anderson. "Both Drew and Jack are internally motivated individuals who come from a highly successful program at Mountain Vista where they have competed at a high level and have the leadership traits we look for in young men to wear the 'M'. I believe they both embody the values of our Team "WHY" and believe in our program's purpose and mission to prepare them for the next 50 years of their lives. I look forward to helping these two along their journey as they strive to represent our program, institution and state of Minnesota in a way that is consistent with our tradition and history."
Jack Liffrig
Liffrig comes to Gold Country following an impressive prep career at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado where he was teammates with Gophers Sam Ireland and Drew Stahl. A four-year starter for the Golden Eagles on the mound, he compiled an incredible 21-1 career record with a 131 strikeouts in 170 innings pitched. As a junior, the southpaw led Vista to the Colorado Class 5A State Tournament semi-finals with a 7-1 record and a state-leading 66 2/3 innings pitched, earning him 1st Team All-Conference honors, a 2nd Team All-State nomination and was named to the Colorado Futures All-Star Game.
As a senior, he led the state of Colorado with a perfect 11-0 mark to go along with a 1.50 ERA in 79 1/3 innings pitched with 85 strikeouts, earning him 1st Team All-State honors by both CHSAA and Prep Baseball Report.
Liffrig ranked as the #1 overall pitcher in the state of Colorado by Prep Baseball Report and was nationally ranked by Perfect Game as the #191 overall left-handed pitcher in the 2018 class. Originally signed with Utah of the Pac-12 Conference out of high school, Liffrig led the Utes pitching staff with a 0.90 ERA as a freshman in 10 innings pitched.
Schools Also Considered: Arizona State University, Utah, Dartmouth, Air Force
Liffrig on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because I felt that I was going to be put into an environment that promotes me to grow not only as a baseball player, but as a human being. I believe that Coach Anderson and his staff have created a place where students can achieve highly in athletics and academics, without sacrificing one or the other. But more than anything, I felt like I was being welcomed into a family, which is an essential part in bringing out the best in each player. I'm very excited to join the gopher family, and I can't wait to step on campus!"
Assistant Coach Ty McDevitt on Liffrig: "Jack possess all of the attributes we look for in pitchers. He is a proven strike thrower, an athlete and a fierce competitor on the mound. We fully expect Jack to make an impact as a leader his first day on campus and push for meaningful innings as soon as he is ready to pitch. Jack will remind fans of former Gopher great Andy Hammerschmidt ('92-95) and more recently Jordan Jess ('12-16). Look for him to make a huge impact in our program, both on and off the field. We couldn't be more excited to welcome Jack to the Golden Gopher Baseball family."
Drew Stahl
Stahl joins the Golden Gophers after a decorated career at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado where he was teammates with Gophers Sam Ireland and Jack Liffrig. A three-year starter for the Golden Eagles at shortstop, Stahl finished his prep career with a .383 average to go along with 14 home runs, 18 doubles, 85 RBI and 35 stolen bases. As a junior, he was named 1st Team All-State by Prep Baseball Report, Continental League 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team Academic All-State and 5A All-State Honorable Mention. Stahl was also named to the Mile High All-State Team after hitting .444 with five home runs, eight doubles and three triples to go along with 35 RBI and 16 stolen bases, ultimately helping Mountain Vista capture the Colorado 5A State Championship. Additionally, he was selected to participate in the Colorado Rockies High School All-Star Futures Game and named to the Junior Sunbelt Classic All-Tournament team.
During his senior campaign, Stahl helped lead the Golden Eagles back to the State Tournament, hitting .391 with eight home runs and a state-leading 40 RBI to go along with 17 stolen bases. He was named 1st Team All-State, Colorado Prep Baseball Report 1st Team All-State and Academic All-State while again being selected to the Colorado Rockies High School All-Star Futures Game.
Previously committed to Washington State, Prep Baseball Report tabbed Stahl as the #1 overall shortstop in the state of Colorado and the #7 overall player. Selected as a Pre-Season All-American (West Region) Honorable Mention by Perfect Game, Stahl was also the #319 ranked shortstop in the country, including being a top 500 overall player nationally and the #3 overall player in the state of Colorado.
Schools Also Considered: Washington State, Pepperdine, University of Seattle, Regis University
Stahl on why he chose Minnesota: "The University of Minnesota was a perfect fit for me. The coaching staff and the people around the team are second to none. This is the best place for me to mature as a student, athlete and as a man."
Assistant Coach Pat Casey on Stahl: "We are thrilled to add Drew to a very talented 2019 class. He's a special talent that we were lucky enough to land late in the recruiting process. Drew is a proven winner; he plays the game very hard with a lot of energy and passion and he brings with him an attitude and a desire to compete at the highest of levels. On the field, he'll remind fans of Gopher greats Luke MacLean and Bill Mobilia with his versatility, speed, hitting ability and power. We couldn't be happier to welcome Drew, his mother Kim, father Cliff and younger brother Troy to the Golden Gopher Baseball family."
Stahl and Liffrig are now added to the existing list of new Gophers that includes the likes of Will Anderson (St. Michael, Minnesota), Kyle Bork (Alpharetta, Georgia), Michael Gurka (Clarendon Hills, Illinois), Sam Ireland (Highlands Ranch, Colorado), Steve Jamroziak (Muskego, Wisconsin), Trent Schoeberl (White Bear Lake, Minnesota), Ronnie Sweeny (Woodbury, Minnesota) and Bennett Theisen (St. Paul, Minnesota).
For more information on Minnesota Baseball, follow the Golden Gophers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching for "Minnesota Baseball."
Jack Liffrig (Highlands Ranch, Colorado) and Drew Stahl (Castle Rock, Colorado) serve as late additions to the maroon and gold, whose incoming recruiting class now stands an even 10 newcomers. Both Stahl and Liffrig attended Mountain Vista High School in Colorado, with the latter coming to Minnesota after spending one season at the University of Utah.
"I'm very excited about these additions to our already very strong 2019 recruiting class," said Anderson. "Both Drew and Jack are internally motivated individuals who come from a highly successful program at Mountain Vista where they have competed at a high level and have the leadership traits we look for in young men to wear the 'M'. I believe they both embody the values of our Team "WHY" and believe in our program's purpose and mission to prepare them for the next 50 years of their lives. I look forward to helping these two along their journey as they strive to represent our program, institution and state of Minnesota in a way that is consistent with our tradition and history."
Jack Liffrig
| Position: LHP | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195 | Bat/Throws: L/L Hometown: Highlands Ranch, CO | High School: Mountain Vista | Previous School: Utah Scouting Report: Highly competitive left-handed pitcher who possesses superb command with a plus off-speed arsenal. Will make an immediate impact on the pitching staff with plus pitchability, a high 80's fastball and strong leadership skills. |
Liffrig comes to Gold Country following an impressive prep career at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado where he was teammates with Gophers Sam Ireland and Drew Stahl. A four-year starter for the Golden Eagles on the mound, he compiled an incredible 21-1 career record with a 131 strikeouts in 170 innings pitched. As a junior, the southpaw led Vista to the Colorado Class 5A State Tournament semi-finals with a 7-1 record and a state-leading 66 2/3 innings pitched, earning him 1st Team All-Conference honors, a 2nd Team All-State nomination and was named to the Colorado Futures All-Star Game.
As a senior, he led the state of Colorado with a perfect 11-0 mark to go along with a 1.50 ERA in 79 1/3 innings pitched with 85 strikeouts, earning him 1st Team All-State honors by both CHSAA and Prep Baseball Report.
Liffrig ranked as the #1 overall pitcher in the state of Colorado by Prep Baseball Report and was nationally ranked by Perfect Game as the #191 overall left-handed pitcher in the 2018 class. Originally signed with Utah of the Pac-12 Conference out of high school, Liffrig led the Utes pitching staff with a 0.90 ERA as a freshman in 10 innings pitched.
Schools Also Considered: Arizona State University, Utah, Dartmouth, Air Force
Liffrig on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because I felt that I was going to be put into an environment that promotes me to grow not only as a baseball player, but as a human being. I believe that Coach Anderson and his staff have created a place where students can achieve highly in athletics and academics, without sacrificing one or the other. But more than anything, I felt like I was being welcomed into a family, which is an essential part in bringing out the best in each player. I'm very excited to join the gopher family, and I can't wait to step on campus!"
Assistant Coach Ty McDevitt on Liffrig: "Jack possess all of the attributes we look for in pitchers. He is a proven strike thrower, an athlete and a fierce competitor on the mound. We fully expect Jack to make an impact as a leader his first day on campus and push for meaningful innings as soon as he is ready to pitch. Jack will remind fans of former Gopher great Andy Hammerschmidt ('92-95) and more recently Jordan Jess ('12-16). Look for him to make a huge impact in our program, both on and off the field. We couldn't be more excited to welcome Jack to the Golden Gopher Baseball family."
Drew Stahl
| Position: SS | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175 | Bat/Throws: R/R Hometown: Castle Rock, CO | High School: Mountain Vista Scouting Report: High-end talent with strong arm, speed and versatility to go along with a potent bat that projects to hit near the top of the order in his career. |
Stahl joins the Golden Gophers after a decorated career at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado where he was teammates with Gophers Sam Ireland and Jack Liffrig. A three-year starter for the Golden Eagles at shortstop, Stahl finished his prep career with a .383 average to go along with 14 home runs, 18 doubles, 85 RBI and 35 stolen bases. As a junior, he was named 1st Team All-State by Prep Baseball Report, Continental League 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team Academic All-State and 5A All-State Honorable Mention. Stahl was also named to the Mile High All-State Team after hitting .444 with five home runs, eight doubles and three triples to go along with 35 RBI and 16 stolen bases, ultimately helping Mountain Vista capture the Colorado 5A State Championship. Additionally, he was selected to participate in the Colorado Rockies High School All-Star Futures Game and named to the Junior Sunbelt Classic All-Tournament team.
During his senior campaign, Stahl helped lead the Golden Eagles back to the State Tournament, hitting .391 with eight home runs and a state-leading 40 RBI to go along with 17 stolen bases. He was named 1st Team All-State, Colorado Prep Baseball Report 1st Team All-State and Academic All-State while again being selected to the Colorado Rockies High School All-Star Futures Game.
Previously committed to Washington State, Prep Baseball Report tabbed Stahl as the #1 overall shortstop in the state of Colorado and the #7 overall player. Selected as a Pre-Season All-American (West Region) Honorable Mention by Perfect Game, Stahl was also the #319 ranked shortstop in the country, including being a top 500 overall player nationally and the #3 overall player in the state of Colorado.
Schools Also Considered: Washington State, Pepperdine, University of Seattle, Regis University
Stahl on why he chose Minnesota: "The University of Minnesota was a perfect fit for me. The coaching staff and the people around the team are second to none. This is the best place for me to mature as a student, athlete and as a man."
Assistant Coach Pat Casey on Stahl: "We are thrilled to add Drew to a very talented 2019 class. He's a special talent that we were lucky enough to land late in the recruiting process. Drew is a proven winner; he plays the game very hard with a lot of energy and passion and he brings with him an attitude and a desire to compete at the highest of levels. On the field, he'll remind fans of Gopher greats Luke MacLean and Bill Mobilia with his versatility, speed, hitting ability and power. We couldn't be happier to welcome Drew, his mother Kim, father Cliff and younger brother Troy to the Golden Gopher Baseball family."
Stahl and Liffrig are now added to the existing list of new Gophers that includes the likes of Will Anderson (St. Michael, Minnesota), Kyle Bork (Alpharetta, Georgia), Michael Gurka (Clarendon Hills, Illinois), Sam Ireland (Highlands Ranch, Colorado), Steve Jamroziak (Muskego, Wisconsin), Trent Schoeberl (White Bear Lake, Minnesota), Ronnie Sweeny (Woodbury, Minnesota) and Bennett Theisen (St. Paul, Minnesota).
For more information on Minnesota Baseball, follow the Golden Gophers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching for "Minnesota Baseball."
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