Nov. 22, 2004
IOWA CITY – University of Iowa Baseball Coach Jack Dahm has announced the signing of four new recruits. Jordan Auerbach, Wes Freie, Ryan Gryzwa and Kevin Hoef all signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Iowa.
“Our coaching staff is very excited about this group of recruits we have assembled,” Dahm said. “We feel these four players will have an opportunity to make an instant impact on our program and help us compete for a Big Ten Championship.
“I can’t say enough about the job our assistant coaches Ryan Brownlee and Nick Zumsande, along with our players continue, to do in the recruiting process. The coaches did a great job of identifying the top student-athletes in the Midwest that would be a good fit for our program.”
Auerbach, a pitcher from Olathe, Kansas, recorded 53 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings pitched as a junior with a 3-1 record and 2.42 ERA. He has spent two years on the Principals High Honor Roll.
“Jordan is a lanky righthander that throws in the mid 80s and has an outstanding breaking ball,”: Dahm said. “He attended our Future Hawks camp and made an instant impression on the coaching staff. We believe he will make a quick impact on our program.”
Freie, who played shortstop and pitched at Wilton High School, will move to third base base for the Hawkeyes when he isn’t on the hill. Baseball America/Perfect Game lists Freie as the No. 2 player in Iowa and one of the top two third basemen in the Midwest. As a junior, he hit .543 with 15 home runs and 44 RBIs, while being named to the IHSBCA all-State Super Team. He hit .590 as a sophomore and .456 as a freshman and holds 15 career school records, along with 13 single season marks. Freie was also an all-state basketball player.
“Wes is a very talented two-way player who could make an instant impact as both a pitcher and hitter,” Dahm said. “He is a prototypical third baseman who brings a big stick to the middle of the lineup, something we were missing. Wes is also a talented righthander who throws in the high 80s and has an above average slider.”
Gryzwa, from Chicago, IL, was a three-year varsity starter and helped lead his St. Ignatsius team to two sectional final appearances. Last season, Gryzwa hit .359 with 10 doubles, 25 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. As a junior, he hit .311 with two home runs and 32 RBIs.
“Ryan is a lefthanded hitting middle infielder who has great instincts for the game,” Dahm said. “We see him as a true second baseman who could also play shortstop. He is a great defender.”
Hoef, a shortstop from Troy, IL, is a two-time all-conference and all-area pick. He played in the Metro-East Area All-Star game and is a three-time all-star in Legion ball. Hoef has hit over .400 in each of the last two seasons. Baseball America/Perfect Game lists him as one of the top four shortstops in the Midwest. He was also a three-time all-conference pick in football and is ranked No. 1 in his class with a 4.0 GPA.
“It’s not everyday you can find a shortstop with the size and athleticism of Kevin,” Dahm said. “We feel that he has a chance to hit at the top of the order with his 6-3 frame and speed. He can be a special player for our program, and we feel very fortunate that he decided to be a Hawkeye.”