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New Sabre Dogs players represent coast-to-coast talent

Jimmy Lafakis/MDN New Sabre Dogs players greet returning pitcher Aaron Kern (left) during a game against the Badlands Big Sticks at Corbett Field. Kern represents Minot State University.

As the Souris Valley Sabre Dogs kicked off their truncated 2020 baseball season, head coach Corey Thompson stressed two important facets of the game: pitching and speed. Those aspects are certainly critical, but an early-season road series against the Badlands Big Sticks also illuminated the significance of team camaraderie.

“It’s always good to get on the road first,” Thompson said. “That way, they can stay in hotels and do all that stuff together before coming home.”

Only a handful of returning players have laced up their cleats for another season at Corbett Field, The Sabre Dogs’ official online roster lists just eight: Wilson Roubion, Bo McClintock, Mason Dinesen, Matt Houlihan, Jace Mapston, Marcelo Terrazas, Aaron Kern and Dylan Roach.

In contrast, the roster displays 27 new players from 16 different states.

According to Thompson, the COVID-19 pandemic created unique challenges during the recruiting period. Still, the early-season returns on investment have fostered optimistic feelings.

Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Sabre Dogs pitcher Daniel Rivera releases a pitch during a game against the Badlands Big Sticks at Corbett Field. This past season, Rivera posted a 2.65 ERA at Eastern Nazarene College.

“A lot of new guys, a lot of new faces,” Thompson said. “Productive faces, too. I’m excited to see these guys play out this summer.”

Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of the new crop:

Texas

Six new Sabre Dogs hail from the Lone Star State. The Texas group includes two pitchers (Austin Glaze, Tanner Riley), two infielders (Chase Alford, Justin Cooper), an outfielder (Aaron Galvan) and a catcher (Cullen Hannigan).

Glaze and Riley are Abilene Christian University products. Alford plays at Paris Junior College, while Cooper takes the field at Texas Southern University.

Galvan, an Edinburg native, has played two seasons at Texas Rio Grande Valley. Hannigan stayed in his hometown of Houston and catches at Rice University.

Riley said he had an opportunity to play baseball in nearby Dallas this summer. However, he decided to explore new territory and take a chance on the Expedition League.

“I was like, ‘I’d rather go see something else,'” Riley said. “‘I’ll go all the way across the country, meet new people and have fun.’ I decided to go for it.”

California

Caleb Bennett, Shane Hoodman, and Aren Alvarez are pitchers who call California home. New Sabre Dogs outfielder Josh Solomon also joins the California crew.

Bennett, a 2020 graduate of Centennial High School, has committed to Nebraska. In December, Hoodman announced his commitment to pitch at Northern Colorado after attending Ocean View High School. Alvarez pitches for the UC San Diego Tritons.

Solomon announced his arrival in a massive way during Souris Valley’s 13-1 win over the Big Sticks on Monday. After he hit two home runs in his first game at Corbett Field, his new teammates mobbed the Columbia University outfielder outside of the first-base dugout.

“A lot of the dudes are super-competitive,” Solomon said. “They care about baseball. It’s summer ball, so they make it fun. That’s all I can really ask for.”

Louisiana

Ivan Prejean, Caleb Reese and Mason Turner bring Bayou flair to Minot. In his three years at Nicholls State University, the sure-handed Prejean has posted a .950 fielding percentage in the infield.

During his first collegiate season, Reese started 20 games and posted a .304 batting average (21-for-69) at Mississippi College. He ripped five home runs and tallied 15 RBIs.

Turner works in tandem with Prejean at Nicholls State. This past season, Turner recorded 17 putouts in 13 games for the Colonels.

Georgia

Two Georgia outfielders look to contribute for the Sabre Dogs this season. Tim Conway (University of North Georgia) and Allen Grier (Chattanooga State) will roam the Corbett turf.

Conway was a three-time Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Week during this past season. He knocked in 16 runs and scored 19 more for the Nighthawks.

In addition to showing his speed on the basepaths, Grier is spreading his Southern charm. He said he is growing into a new nickname — “Mr. Smile.”

“I’m always smiling,” Grier said as an ear-to-ear grin spread across his face. “They always want to see me smiling. It’s a game, so you have fun.”

Oregon

Loyola Marymount pitcher Josh Robins struck out a season-high five batters against UC Riverside in 3.1 innings on March 3. The right-hander has tossed a total of 57.1 innings for the Lions.

Nevada

Trevor Jackson made a positive first impression for the Sabre Dogs in their first game against Badlands. The Abilene Christian hurler struck out six Big Sticks on June 26 in Dickinson.

Jackson allowed no runs and just one hit in the outing.

Arizona

Max Kendall bolsters the Sabre Dogs’ pitching staff. Kendall made one appearance during his freshman season at Utah Valley University, but the young pitcher made the most of his opportunity.

Kendall allowed just one hit and one run during a March 10 game against Air Force. He struck out four batters in the outing.

New Mexico

Outfielder Cal Villareal brings a coveted left-handed bat to the diamond. During a shortened 2020 season at New Mexico State, Villareal finished with a 9-for-21 (.429) batting average.

Colorado

Nik Levensteins displayed a knack for putting the ball in play during his most recent collegiate campaign. In 13 games, the North Georgia infielder struck out just four times and posted a .459 slugging percentage.

South Dakota

Curtis Stahlecker provides veteran leadership in the dugout. Stahlecker played for the Expedition League’s Casper Horseheads back in 2018 and grew acquainted with Corbett Field while pitching for Minot State.

Stahlecker has racked up three appearances for the Sabre Dogs in the young season. As his career winds down, summer baseball has helped him gain a newfound appreciation for the sport.

“It kind of reminds me of how I fell in love with the game, honestly,” Stahlecker said. “It’s hot, but then it cools off. You’re going out there in shorts and a T-shirt with your best friends and then gearing up for the game. It’s a little bit nostalgic playing in the summer, for sure.”

Tennessee

Cam Hansen offers a talented right-handed pitching option from the Volunteer State. In his first Sabre Dogs start on June 27, Hansen allowed just one hit and one run against the Big Sticks in Dickinson.

The University of Tennessee product also struck out five batters in that game.

Alabama

Opponents hit just .240 against Griffin Lape in the 2020 season. The University of Montevallo southpaw struck out seven batters in five relief appearances.

Florida

Right-handed pitcher Drew Lang is another addition to the North Georgia-Sabre Dogs pipeline. While pitching for the Nighthawks in 2020, Lang struck out nine batters in four appearances.

South Carolina

During the 2019 campaign, Davis Wilber recorded a .990 fielding percentage as a freshman catcher at USC Upstate. Notably, Wilber posted a total of 174 putouts that year.

Pennsylvania

In his first appearance for Souris Valley, left-handed pitcher Nick Klee did not allow a run. The West Chester University hurler struck out a Badlands batter and allowed just two hits during the Sabre Dogs’ 13-1 win in Monday’s home opener.

New York

Daniel Rivera, a relief pitcher from Eastern Nazarene College, earned New England Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Week honors in March. Rivera struck out 25 batters and posted a 2.65 ERA during a successful 2020 season.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about winning and losing up here,” Thompson said. “It’s about these guys getting better development-wise, going back to school and producing there.”

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.

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