The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) baseball team, head coach Chris Ramirez and recruiting coordinator Ryan Copeland announced the addition of 10 players in the latest recruiting class. Anthony Green, Hunter Phelps, Josh Stivers and Kal Youngquist will each join the Class of 2021 while Johnny Colombo, Austin Glidden, Jacob Goss, Nathan Righi, A.J. Sweetalla and T.J. Yakimisky will each represent the Class of 2023.
 
"Entering my sixth season as the head coach at UIS, National Signing Day remains one of my favorite days of the year," Ramirez said. "It is a day when we know our program is getting better with the addition of many very talented baseball players. More importantly, it is one of the first major decisions in these young men's lives and a very exciting day for their families."
 
"This class has a great mix of players that we feel will fit into our program and thrive during their time at UIS," Ramirez continued. "We were able to sign multiple athletic, projectable high school players that will develop and be fixtures in our program. We also signed four junior college transfers that will be ready to impact our program as soon as they step on campus next fall."
 
UIS is fresh off the best season in program history. The Prairie Stars went 47-9 and set the program record in wins. UIS put together a 23-1 conference record and locked up its first-ever Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) East Division title. The Prairie Stars punched their ticket to their first ever NCAA Tournament and hosted the First Round at Robin Roberts Stadium in the Spring. UIS peaked at No. 4 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) NCAA Division II poll and No. 1 in the NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings, which are two more program records.
 
The Prairie Stars continued to write the record books after totaling 12 all-GLVC East Division selections, including seven first-team selections. UIS tallied five consensus all-region selections and three all-Americans. Nick Stokowski was a consensus first-team all-American while Cole Taylor, a consensus all-American, was signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization. Ramirez was also recognized as the NCBWA National Coach of the Year and the GLVC Coach of the Year.
 
The recruiting efforts Ramirez, Copeland, Coach Levi Petzoldt and Coach Ron Wojcicki are rewarded with the growth of the program, which is reflected with each Signing Day.
 
"Coming off a season where we finished ranked No. 4 in the country and were a NCAA Regional tournament host, we were able to use that momentum as we put together this recruiting class. Led by Coach Copeland, I can't say enough about the team effort our coaching staff put into the recruiting process. Along with Coach Petzoldt and Coach Wojcicki, these guys do a great job of not only identifying and recruiting talented players but also building a dynamic roster."
 
Johnny Colombo – 6'3" – 170 – Infielder - - Chicago, Ill. (Lane Tech) – Elite Baseball Training

Colombo enters his fourth season with the Lane Tech baseball team. He currently holds a .366 career batting average. According to Prep Baseball Report, Colombo is ranked in Illinois as the No. 115 overall prospect and the No. 19 shortstop. Colombo has recorded the highest throwing velocity by a shortstop in the state of Illinois. Lane Tech put together a 20-9 record and captured the Chicago Public-Jackie Robinson North divisional title during his sophomore. The Indians went 19-13 during his junior year. Colombo is currently in his fourth season on the basketball team. He competed with the Elite Baseball Training club team.
 
"I choose UIS because of the success of the baseball program and I love to win," Colombo said. "I want to be a part of a program that pushes me to be my best.  When I visited the school, it felt like a great fit and I knew I wanted to be there."
 
"One of the hardest things for any program at any level to find is a true shortstop and we feel like we have found that with the signing of Johnny," Ramirez said. "At 6-foot-3-inches, he has that frame that can fill out and look like the guys that play the position at the MLB level. He has clean actions and one of the best infield arms in the entire state. He has thrown it 92 m.p.h. across the infield in a showcase setting and that should allow him to make every throw necessary to play shortstop at a high level. Johnny makes the third year in a row we have signed an infielder out of Elite Baseball Training in Chicago."
 
Austin Glidden – 6'1" – 160 – Infielder/Right-Handed Pitcher - - Paddock Lake, Wis. (Westosha Central) – Puma Baseball Academy (Wisconsin)

Glidden enters his fourth season with the Westosha Central baseball team. He put together a 2.86 ERA in 29 and one-third innings during his junior year. According to Prep Baseball Report, Glidden is ranked in Wisconsin as the No. 45 overall prospect and the No. 11 right-handed pitcher. Westosha Central compiled a three-year record of 50-26. Glidden competed in volleyball for one season. He has made High Honor Roll in every year so far. He competed with Wisconsin's Puma Baseball Academy and was named to the Wisconsin Prep Baseball Report Futures Game team.
 
"I chose UIS because when I came on my visit, I felt like it was home there," Glidden said. "It also isn't too far away from home, which is also a plus. Another reason is because of the coaches. They treated me really well when I came up on both of my visits. I also chose them because of the option of choosing if I would like to play the field or be a PO."
 
"Coach Copeland identified Austin early in the recruiting process as the type of athlete we want to have in our program," Ramirez said. "On the mound, Austin already shows the ability to really spin an above average breaking ball that should give him a weapon that plays at this level right away. His athleticism also allows him to step off the mound and slide into a middle infield position and give himself and our program more options on both sides of the ball."
 
Jacob Goss – 6'1" – 170 – Left-Handed Pitcher - - Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield North) – Elite Baseball Training

Goss enters his fourth season with the Plainfield North baseball team. According to Prep Baseball Report, Goss is ranked in Illinois as the No. 237 overall prospect and the No. 16 left-handed pitching prospect. Plainfield North went 33-5 and finished fourth place in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) 4A State Tournament during his freshman year. The Tigers put together a 28-10 record during Goss's sophomore year. During Goss's junior year, Plainfield North compiled a 27-8-1 record and locked up the IHSA 4A state title. Goss competed with the Elite Baseball Training club baseball team.
 
"I chose UIS because I believe it will be the best place for me to further my baseball career and to make an immediate impact on the program," Goss said.
 
"Jacob was the first player that committed in this year's recruiting class for us," Ramirez said. "From the beginning he was a guy that we felt could really pitch from the left side and had the arm action and hand speed that should project more velocity as he gets older and stronger. Since Jacob has committed to us we have seen his velocity steadily increase into what is currently a mid 80's left handed pitcher. He is really into training and development side of pitching and looks to fit perfectly with what we do as a pitching staff. Jacob was also a member of Plainfield North's state championship team last season."
 
Anthony Green – 6'4" – 230 – Infielder/Right-Handed Pitcher - - St. Louis, Mo. (Pattonville) – Jefferson College

Green competed in baseball with Pattonville for four years. At the plate, he delivered a .380 batting average and .528 slugging percentage in his career. On the mound, he went 6-4 with a 1.89 career ERA. Green fanned 79 batters in 59 innings. Pattonville put together a four-year record of 54-26 and locked up three divisional titles during Green's tenure.
 
In his freshman season at Jefferson College, Green recorded a .367 batting average and smashed five home runs. On the mound, Green posted a 3.91 ERA and a .179 opponent batting average. Green punched out 29 batters in 23 innings. Jefferson compiled a 54-12-1 record and advanced to the Second Round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I World Series. Green enters his second season with Jefferson.
 
"After seeing the campus and getting to meet all the coaches, trainers, and other support staff, I could tell everyone was on the same page and there was an established winning environment," Green said. "That's something I definitely wanted to be a part of, plus I will be able to play with one of my best friends again."
 
"Anthony is one of the more 'high-profile' recruited players since I have been here at UIS as he was originally committed to the University of Missouri before an injury ended his season last year," Ramirez said. "With his ability to change a game with his power at the plate and also on the mound with an easy fastball in the low 90's, he will be a true two-way player for us. Anthony also brings that experience of competing at the national level as Jefferson College finished last season ranked No. 8 in the country after a trip to the NJCAA World Series."
 
Hunter Phelps – 5'10" – 190 – Infielder - - Danville, Ill. (Oakwood) – Danville Area CC

Phelps competed in baseball with Oakwood for four years. He was selected to the Vermillion Valley All-Conference First Team as a sophomore and senior. Phelps also received All-Vermillion County Special Mention as a junior. Oakwood went 78-44-1 during Phelps's tenure. The Comets earned an IHSA 1A regional title during his sophomore year and an IHSA 1A sectional title during his senior year. As a senior, Phelps was also selected to the Vermillion Valley All-Conference First Team in football on both offense and defense.
 
In his freshman season with Danville Area Community College, Phelps turned in a .290 batting average while tallying 15 doubles and 23 RBIs. Phelps enters his second season with Danville Area Community College.
 
"I have always looked up to UIS and the players already in the program because of the familiarity I have being from Danville," Phelps said. "Also, I've always wanted to get away from home and I am fortunate to be joining one of the best Division II programs in the entire nation."
 
"Hunter is one of those players that may not have the physical tools that stand out but he is a true throwback, gritty, tough and proven baseball player," Ramirez said. "Hunter can play multiple positions and the combination of his experience combined with his blue-collar work ethic will be a valuable addition to our program."
 
Nathan Righi – 6'1" – 205 – Infielder - - Pekin, Ill. (Pekin) – Central Illinois Outlaws

Righi is entering his fourth season with the Pekin baseball team. He has been named to the Mid Illini All-Conference Team in all three years, which include a first-team all-conference selection and two second-team all-conference selections. Righi has put together a .373 career batting average with eight homers and 32 RBIs. On the mound, Righi has compiled a 6-3 career record with a 1.94 ERA and 62 strikeouts. According to Prep Baseball Report, Righi is the No. 142-ranked prospect in the state of Illinois and has the highest exit velocity in the state of Illinois. Righi competed in football for four years and was named to the Mid Illini All-Conference Team in three years. He collected two first-team all-conference selections and one second-team all-conference selection. Righi competed in basketball for two years. He also represented the Central Illinois Outlaws club baseball team.
 
"I chose UIS because I love the facilities and the coaching staff," Righi said. "I felt like I was right at home when I was visiting the campus."
 
"We are excited to add another player from just up the road from us with Nathan joining our program," Ramirez said. "He has raw strength in his bat and his competitiveness at the plate is something that immediately stood out at our showcase camp this past summer. Nathan will be another strong-bodied hitter that we like to identify and bring into our program. He comes highly recommended from the Central Illinois Outlaws, one of the top travel ball organizations our area."
 
Josh Stivers – 6'2" – 235 – Outfielder - - Bettendorf, Iowa (Pleasant Valley) – Hesston College – Heartland CC

Stivers competed in baseball with Pleasant Valley for five years. During his career, Stivers recorded a .390 batting average, a .467 on-base percentage and a .619 slugging percentage. Stivers earned second-team all-conference honors as a junior and first-team all-conference recognition as a senior. He was tabbed with second-team all-state honors as a senior and was named to the Iowa All-Star Team. According to Prep Baseball Report, Stivers was the No. 105-ranked prospect out of the state of Iowa in his class. Stivers competed in soccer for four years. He received second-team all-conference honors as a junior and senior. Stivers also received all-state Honorable Mention as a senior. He collected first-team academic all-conference honors in both soccer and baseball during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
 
As a freshman at Hesston College, Stivers delivered 12 doubles and 32 RBIs. Stivers posted a .382 batting average and a .467 on-base percentage. He enters his sophomore season at Heartland Community College.
 
"I chose UIS because of the athletics and academic success they have had," Stivers said. "Also, because the campus is amazing and that I really connected well with the baseball coaches."
 
"Josh is one of the most-polished and proven hitters in junior college baseball," Ramirez said. "He is a physical guy with pop and has already shown the ability to hit for average while maintaining a low strikeout rate as an everyday player as a freshman. He is another guy that will be joining our program from a winning culture as he will be a middle-of-the-order type hitter for the Heartland program, which finished last season ranked No. 3 in NJCAA Division II."
 
A.J. Sweetalla – 6'2" – 185 – Infielder/Right-Handed Pitcher - - Appleton, Wis. (Appleton East) – GRB Rays

Sweetalla enters his fourth season with the Appleton East baseball team. According to Prep Baseball Report, Sweetalla is ranked in Wisconsin as the No. 34 overall prospect and the No. 8 right-handed pitcher. Sweetalla compted with the GRB Rays club baseball team.
 
"I choose UIS because as soon as I stepped on campus I felt at home," Sweetalla said. "The academics and athletics felt like the right fit for me and the campus is beautiful."
 
"A.J. is one of the highest-ranked two-way players in the state of Wisconsin. He is another versatile athlete that has a ton of upside in his frame. He has already been up to 90 m.p.h. on the mound but also has a pretty polished mix of off-speed pitches for his age. Andrew is just as intriguing as a position player that shows a very clean left handed-swing with some pop, that has a little 'Brandon Belt' in his stance as a hitter."
 
T.J. Yakimisky – 6'2" – 165 – Infielder - - Mundelein, Ill. (Mundelein) – Rawlings Northern Knights (Holbrook)

Yakimisky enters his fourth year with the Mundelein baseball team. According to Prep Baseball Report, Yakimisky in the state of Illinois ranks as the No. 197 overall prospect and the No. 12 third-base prospect. As a sophomore, he posted a .419 batting average and a .495 on-base percentage in 107 plate appearances. He notched nine doubles and 30 RBIs as a sophomore. As a junior, he went 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA while striking out 15 batters in 16 and one-third innings. He was the team's MVP as a sophomore. Mundelein earned second place in the IHSA 4A State Tournament during his freshman year. The Mustangs repeated as IHSA 4A sectional champions during his sophomore year. During Yakimisky's three years, Mundelein has compiled an 87-26 record. Yakimisky was the team's MVP as a sophomore. He competed with the Northern Knights club baseball team. Yakimisky represented the Mundelein basketball team as a freshman.
 
"I chose UIS because I feel that it is the perfect place to not only develop, but to be able to compete at the national level, which is something I would not have gotten at some other schools," Yakimisky said. "Being right in the heart of Springfield, it is also going to give me many activities to do outside of school and baseball! I can't wait for my next four years."
 
"Tyler has a long and lanky build that gets us excited to project on, especially with what we do from a strength and conditioning standpoint here at UIS," Ramirez said. "He plays the infield with very smooth actions and arm that really carries across the diamond. Tyler has a good swing with leverage and we look forward to see continue to him develop as a player."
 
Kal Youngquist – 6'1" – 230 – Outfielder - - Monmouth, Ill. (United) – Kirkwood CC

Youngquist competed in baseball with United for four years. During his prep career, Youngquist was a four-time all-conference selection and a four-time all-area selection. As a freshman at Kirkwood Community College, Youngquist cranked seven homers while posting a .409 on-base percentage and a .505 slugging percentage. Kirkwood compiled a 42-17-1 record and advanced to the First Round of the NJCAA Division II World Series.
 
​"I chose UIS because it was the best place for me to grow and develop as a baseball player, as well as compete for a national championship," Youngquist said.
 
"Kal is a very exciting left-handed bat," Ramirez said. "He comes from my alma mater, Kirkwood, that finished last season ranked No. 3 in NJCAA Division II. Everybody we talk to raves about Kal's work ethic and leadership ability on and off the field. He will fit our model here at UIS perfectly as a dangerous bat that can hit for power from the left side of the plate."