The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team announced the signing of nine student-athletes to their 2021 signing class. They have inked Cameron DeMaria (1B/RHP, 6-7 250, Fresno, Calif./Caruthers H.S.), Nolan Dodds (OF/RHP, 5-11 155, West Fargo, N.D./Sheyenne H.S.), Justin Dykhoff (RHP/IF, 6-3 220, Wadena, Minn./Minnesota State Community and Technical College), Dalton Garbers (IF/OF, 6-3 225, Sioux Falls, S.D./Sioux Falls Lincoln H.S.), Angelo Pacyga (OF, 6-1 185, Sunfish Lake, Minn./Saint Thomas Academy), Cam Quinlan (IF, 5-11 155, Cottage Grove, Minn./Hill-Murray H.S.), Isaac Roers (RHP, 6-1 170, Stacy, Minn./Forest Lake H.S.), Americo Sculati (OF, 6-2 190, Golden Valley, Minn./Hopkins H.S.), and Max Weber (IF/RHP, St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall H.S.).
The Golden Eagles went 8-5 in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season.
“We feel this class has a little bit of everything that we need to elevate our program,” said Head Coach Steve Gust. “We were looking to sign all-around athletes no matter their positions. We feel we signed some big-time pitchers, hitters and defensive players. I have to give credit to our recruiting coordinator Max Casper. He worked hard identifying top-notch talent and guiding them along the recruiting process from start to finish. The recruiting process never ends so we will continue to find some of the best talent in the area and around the country. We want to increase our talent level while not compromising the culture of our program. I like our current roster from top to bottom. We want to enhance it so we can continue to elevate our program.”
Cameron DeMaria (1B/RHP, 6-7 250, Fresno, Calif./Caruthers H.S.)
DeMaria is a three-time Under Armour Preseason All-American in 2019, 2020, and 2021. He was named Baseball Factory All-Region in 2020. DeMaria was named 2020 Pathway Arizona Games All-Tournament. He was All-West Sequoia League in 2019. He was a Prospect Wire Uncommitted All-Star in 2019. DeMaria led the conference in batting with a .522 average in 2019. He was selected to the Baseball Factory National Team in 2019 and 2020. DeMaria was named the Easter Classic MVP in 2019.
DeMaria is the son of Anthony and Kim DeMaria. He was born on November 20, 2002. DeMaria plans to major in natural resources-criminal justice. His father Anthony DeMaria was a swimmer at the University of California, Davis. His brother Alec DeMaria played baseball at the University of Mary and is currently an assistant coach at UMC. His brother Blake DeMaria is an outfielder at the University of Mary. He becomes the third brother to play baseball in the NSIC. He was an honor roll student and is a devout Christian.
“We targeted Cam as a potential student-athlete several years ago,” Gust stated. “It was tough not to notice such a big kid. His size is obviously a plus and makes him very projectable. Some of his hitting numbers are very impressive. He can also throw it. It’s not too often that we get a chance to sign a student-athlete that already has a strong physical presence and is only going to get bigger, faster and stronger.”
Nolan Dodds (OF/RHP, 5-11 155, West Fargo, N.D./Sheyenne H.S.)
Dodds earned two academic letters at Sheyenne H.S. He earned two varsity letters on the baseball team and is a member of the National Honor Society.
He is the son of Eric and Betsy Dodds. Dodds was born March 28, 2003. He plans to major in finance. His father Eric Dodds was a wrestler at North Dakota State. His grandfather was born in Crookston.
“West Fargo has produced some good ball players over the years and Nolan is one of them,” Gust said. “He can play the outfield and pitch at high levels. He will be a two-way player but he projects as a high-level pitcher for us. Nolan will have to develop physically, but he has a high ceiling.”
Justin Dykhoff (RHP/IF, 6-3 220, Wadena/Minnesota State Community and Technical College)
Dykhoff joins his brother Jake Dykhoff at Minnesota Crookston. Both brothers also were teammates at Minnesota State Community and Technical College. Dykhoff started two games for M State-Fergus Falls as a freshman. He posted a 2.57 ERA in seven innings pitched with four strikeouts and two walks. Dykhoff had three hits during his freshman season with three RBIs and one walk. Dykhoff played high school baseball for Wadena-Deer Creek H.S.
Dykhoff started his final varsity season at Wadena-Deer Creek H.S. with a 16-strikeout no-hitter against Pillager. In May of 2019, he had pitched 24.3 innings, giving up one hit and two walks, while striking out 43 with three seven-inning no-hitters.
“Once we signed his brother last season, we had our eyes set on Justin,” Gust said. “He has a high baseball IQ and some physical tools that cannot be taught. Along with his brother, we expect Justin to anchor our pitching staff. He put up some unbelievable numbers in high school both as a pitcher and position player. He gives us options as a two-way player.”
Dalton Garbers (IF/OF, 6-3 225, Sioux Falls, S.D./Sioux Falls Lincoln H.S.)
Garbers played baseball and football for Sioux Falls Lincoln H.S. Garbers played for Post 307 for legion baseball.
He is the son of Lance and Christy Garbers. Garbers was born July 17, 2000. He plans to major in accounting. His father Lance played baseball at Dakota Wesleyan University. His brother Peyton plays baseball at Midland University. Garbers is fluent in Spanish and enjoys hunting and fishing. “We believe Dalton is a hidden gem in South Dakota,” Gust said. “He has size, strength and the ability to swing the bat at a high level. He is just an all-around solid player that should compete for playing time his freshman year.”
Angelo Pacyga (OF, 6-1 185, Sunfish Lake, Minn./Saint Thomas Academy)
Pacyga played varsity baseball for Saint Thomas Academy. He helped lead Saint Thomas Academy to a State Championship. Pacyga competed at the Minnesota State High School baseball Coaches Association Junior Showcase. He also played varsity football, helping Saint Thomas Academy to a state runner-up finish. Pacyga played wide receiver for the football team.
He is the son of Ryan and Marie Pacyga. Pacyga was born July 17, 2002. He plans to major in health sciences. His father Ryan played baseball at Normandale Community College, where he led the team to a State Championship and Region runner-up finish.
Pacyga had an injury during his sophomore year of hockey that led him to pursue orthopedics and health sciences. He has a little brother Vincent and a little sister Alessandra. “Angelo has great desire and passion along with some valuable tools as a player,” Gust stated. “We expect his work ethic to be extraordinary. He is our type of player and one that shouldn’t be underestimated.”
Cam Quinlan (IF, 5-11 155, Cottage Grove, Minn./Hill-Murray H.S.)
Quinlan competed as a sophomore for Hill-Murray H.S., helping his team to a 12-7 mark. He also played hockey for Hill-Murray H.S. Quinlan played travel ball for Take the Field.
He is the son of Craig and Lisa Quinlan. Quinlan was born Jan. 30, 2003. He plans to major in management and marketing. Quinlan’s father Craig played baseball and hockey at University of St. Thomas and also played one year of minor league baseball in the Toronto Blue Jays system. His uncle Tom Quinlan played professional baseball, making the major leagues in 1990 and 1992 with the Toronto Blue Jays, 1994 with the Philadelphia Phillies, and 1996 with the Minnesota Twins. His uncle Robb Quinlan played baseball for the University of Minnesota and went on to play professional baseball, including eight seasons with the Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels. “Cam has some physical skills that we are looking for in a player,” Gust said. “He is a versatile player and provides some much-needed depth to our infield. We feel he will develop into an all-around solid student-athlete.”
Isaac Roers (RHP, 6-1 170, Stacy, Minn./Forest Lake H.S.)
Roers played for the Minnesota Icemen Baseball Club and Forest Lake H.S. He also played quarterback and safety for the Forest Lake H.S. football team.
Roers is the son of Brian Roers of Ham Lake, Minn. and Anne Althoff of Stacy, Minn. He was born Oct. 29, 2002. He plans to major in business. His aunt Mary (Welle) Herkenhoff played hockey and softball at the College of Saint Benedict. “We believe Isaac can be a fantastic pitcher for us,” Gust said. “He has a loose arm and the ability to get swings and misses. Isaac should help us immediately in some manner. As he develops, we project him as a weekend starter. lt will be fun to watch his progression.
Americo Sculati (OF/RHP, 6-2 190, Golden Valley, Minn./Hopkins H.S.)
Sculati plays baseball for Hopkins High School. He also played soccer for Hopkins H.S. He helped lead the Hopkins Post 320 team to the Junior Legion State Championship in 2019.
He is the son of Barbara and Mark Sculati. Sculati was born June 26, 2003. He is undecided on his major. He earned placement on the honor roll at Hopkins H.S. “We believe Americo is one of the most talented outfielders in Minnesota,” stated Gust. “He has all the tools we are looking for; he can run, throw and hit. We feel fortunate to have him in our program and believe he can compete for a spot the minute he arrives on campus.”
Max Weber (IF/RHP, St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall H.S.
Weber attends high school at Cretin-Derham Hall H.S. and plays under Mike Kvasnicka for Cretin-Derham Hall H.S. “Max comes to us from one of the state’s premier athletic schools,” Gust said. “He is very athletic and can do multiple things well. We were impressed with him both as a pitcher and position player. His ceiling is high as a student-athlete. If he keeps developing, he has a chance to come in and help us immediately.”
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