Kent State head baseball coach Scott Stricklin introduced the Golden Flashes’ 2012 freshman class on Friday.

Elyria’s Jake Neuschaefer was one of 10 athletes to get introduced.

Neuschaefer, who is ranked by Perfect Game as the 257th-best prospect in the nation and fifth-best prospect in Ohio, achieved First Team All-Northeast Ohio honors in 2009 and ‘10 and First Team All-Lorain County selection in ‘10 at Elyria High School under head coach Mike Brandyberry. He was also named First Team NEOBCA in 2010 and Honorable Mention All-Ohio. Neuschaefer has also competed for the North Coast Vipers and the Midwest Redbirds.

"Jake is one of the best athletes we’ve ever recruited," Stricklin said. "He’s a great runner with great instincts, and he really can control the center of the diamond from centerfield. He can play any of the three outfield positions as well as being a leadoff-type hitter who can steal bases and put pressure on defenses."

Jake, along with his brother Nolan Neuschaefer, who plays at Baldwin-Wallace, will be playing for the Lorain County Ironmen, a summer wooden-batten collegiate league that plays at Lorain's Pipe Yard.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

It was no-brainer for Jake Neuschaefer.

It’s not often that you get the guarantee of starting in centerfield and batting leadoff for a Division I school.

So, before all the pressures of his senior season at Elyria High School on where he might attend college, he decided to avoid the burden, and verbally commit to play baseball at Kent State in the 2012 season.

"I had alot of weight on my shoulders with Ohio State wanting me to come down in a few weeks," Neuschaefer said. "I really didn’t want the scholarship to go away with Kent State, they have one of the top baseball programs in Ohio.

"I’ve worked hard to get to this point. I still have one more step in my goals and that’s playing at the Major League level."

Elyria head coach Mike Brandyberry feels he made the right choice.

"I think it’s a great decision for him, it’s a good school," Brandyberry said. "It’s something he’s worked hard at for a long time. I’m happy to see him achieving that goal and see him playing baseball for a long time now."

"I’m sure it’ll take some pressure off of him. He’s the kind of guys that puts distractions out of his way. I’m sure it was in the back of his mind, but if anybody that’s watched Jake play, knows he goes all out and gives it his all and lets the chips lay where they fall."

This past summer, Neuschaefer played for the North Coast Vipers after a stellar varsity season at Elyria.

He was an All-Morning Journal First Teamer, an All-Lorain County First Teamer, an All-Northeast Ohio First Teamer and was a NEOBCA First Team selection after hitting .428 with five home runs, 17 stolen bases and 31 RBIs.

Vipers teammate Sawyer Polen, who plays at Wooster Triway, also verbally committed to Kent State for the 2012 season. Other Vipers currently going to play college baseball are Elyria’s Kyle Salyan, who is going to Akron, and Brandon Grunda, who will play at Lake Erie College next season.

Jake’s brother Nolan Neuschaefer just finished a successful freshman season at Baldwin-Wallace, where he was named Outstanding Freshman and earned the Gold Glove Award.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Elyria's Jake Neuschaefer has verbally committed to play baseball at Kent State in the 2012 season. Neuschaefer will be entering his senior season at Elyria High.

This past summer, Neuschaefer played for the North Coast Vipers after a stellar varsity season at Elyria. He was an All-Morning Journal First Teamer, an All-Lorain County First Teamer, an All-Northeast Ohio First Teamer and was a NEOBCA First Team selection in just his junior year. He hit .428 on the season with five home runs, 17 stolen bases and 31 RBIs. He also drew 27 walks.

Vipers teammate Sawyer Polen, who plays at Wooster Triway, also verbally committed to Kent State for the 2012 season.

Jake's brother Nolan Neuschaefer just finished a successful freshman season at Baldwin-Wallace, where he was named Outstanding Freshman and earned the Gold Glove Award.

He batted .333 with 43 hits and an on-base percentage of .428 in 33 games from the leadoff spot. He led the team with 44 runs scored, four triples and 13 stolen bases.

Defensively, Neuschaefer was outstanding with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 88 chances. He also led the outfield with 85 putouts, adding three assists, and was on the front end of three double plays.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Elyria's Nolan Neuschaefer was named Outstanding Freshman and earned the Gold Glove Award for his outstanding season at Baldwin-Wallace.

He batted .333 with 43 hits and an on-base percentage of .428 in 33 games from the leadoff spot. He led the team with 44 runs scored, four triples and 13 stolen bases.

Defensively, Neuschaefer was outstanding with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 88 chances. He also led the outfield with 85 putouts, adding three assists, and was on the front end of three double plays.

swalker@MorningJournal.com