FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UCLA Baseball September 22, 2011 Contact: Alex Timiraos UCLA BASEBALL WELCOMES 11 NEWCOMERS TO WESTWOOD Incoming class features five pitchers, four infielders, one catcher, one outfielder LOS ANGELES UCLA baseball head coach John Savage welcomed 10 incoming freshmen and one junior college transfer to campus Thursday as fall quarter classes began in Westwood. Savage s seventh recruiting class at UCLA features five pitchers, four infielders, one catcher and one outfielder. These incoming players are fantastic additions to our program, and we are really looking forward to seeing what they can do at the collegiate level, Savage said. We have brought in a balanced recruiting class, from a pitcher and position player perspective. Our coaching staff believes that these guys will be able to contribute from the start. Two of the 11 incoming players, Kevin Kramer and Jake Ehret, were selected in the MLB Draft last June. Kramer, a freshman infielder from Turlock, Calif., was selected in the 25th round of the MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians. Ehret, a freshman right-hander from San Dimas, Calif., was chosen in the 37th round by the Florida Marlins. Outfielder Eric Filia-Snyder, a four-year varsity standout at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, Calif., twice earned Sunset League MVP acclaim in addition to securing first-team All-CIF accolades as a senior. In addition to Ehret, the group features right-handed pitchers David Berg (Bishop Amat HS), Michael Kerman (Long Beach City College) Zack Ortiz (Cypress HS) and left-hander Grant Watson (Bakersfield Centennial HS). Other key additions around the infield include Justin Hazard (Beckman HS), Chris Keck (Amador Valley HS), Shane Zeile (Valencia HS) and catcher Jason D Andrea (Chaminade HS). UCLA Baseball s 2011 Recruiting Class Name Yr. Pos. B/T Ht. Wt. Hometown Previous School David Berg Fr. RHP R/R 6-0 180 Covina, Calif. Bishop Amat HS Jason D Andrea Fr. C R/R 6-2 190 West Hills, Calif. Chaminade HS Jake Ehret Fr. RHP R/R 6-3 190 San Dimas, Calif. San Dimas HS Eric Filia-Snyder Fr. OF L/R 6-0 175 Huntington Beach, Calif. Edison HS Justin Hazard Fr. INF L/R 6-2 200 Tustin, Calif. Beckman HS Chris Keck Fr. INF L/R 6-2 190 Pleasanton, Calif. Amador Valley HS Michael Kerman Jr. RHP R/R 6-4 220 Beverly Hills, Calif. Long Beach City College Kevin Kramer Fr. INF L/R 6-0 195 Turlock, Calif. Turlock HS Zack Ortiz Fr. RHP R/R 6-0 220 Garden Grove, Calif. Cypress HS Grant Watson Fr. LHP R/R 6-0 170 Bakersfield, Calif. Centennial HS Shane Zeile Fr. INF R/R 6-1 190 Valencia, Calif. Valencia HS 2010-11 Newcomers at a Glance Five pitchers (four RHP, one LHP), four infielders, one catcher, one outfielder Two MLB Draft selections (Kevin Kramer, Jake Ehret) Nine first-team all-league selections and one all-conference junior college honoree
David Berg RHP, Freshman Covina, Calif. (Bishop Amat HS) 6-0, 180 R/R Two-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Bishop Amat High School under head coach Andy Nieto Helped lead Bishop Amat to the CIF Southern Section Division IV title at Dodger Stadium as a senior Captured first-team All-CIF Southern Section Division IV honors as a senior Earned first-team All-Del Rey League acclaim as a senior Went 7-1 with four saves and a 1.05 ERA, logging 59 strikeouts and five walks in 47.0 innings as a senior Limited the opposition to a.145 batting average and.212 on-base percentage as a senior Helped lead Bishop Amat to a 29-4 overall record in 2011 Earned Bishop Amat team MVP honors, specializing as a sidearm right-hander out of the bullpen Had a very strong senior season as a middle reliever after having pitched just nine innings as a junior Jason D Andrea Catcher, Freshman West Hills, Calif. (Chaminade HS) 6-2, 190 R/R Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Chaminade High School under head coach Frank Mutz Batted.408 with one home run, 10 doubles, 16 runs and 11 RBI in 26 games as a senior (2011) Listed as a top player to watch (honorable mention, catcher) by the L.A. Times and Daily News in 2011 Led Chaminade with 10 doubles and 16 runs his senior year, while posting a.507 on-base percentage Registered at least one hit in 23 of 26 games played during his senior season and served as team captain First-team All-Mission League selection and was named Chaminade s offensive player of the year as a senior Selected to play in the 2011 City vs. Southern Section All-Star Game Batted.422 with three home runs, 10 doubles, 20 RBI and 17 runs in 32 games as a junior (2010) Secured second-team All-Mission League honors as a junior Named to the Anaheim Lions All-Tournament Team after leading Chaminade to the 2010 tournament title Selected as a scholar-athlete all three seasons at Chaminade Played for the South Bay Saints of the Western Baseball Association Collegiate League (summer 2011) Competed for the ABDG Conejo Oaks of the Pacific Coast Connie Mack League (summer 2010) Played for the South Bay Surf of the Pacific Coast Connie Mack League (summer 2009) Jake Ehret RHP, Freshman San Dimas, Calif. (San Dimas HS) 6-3, 190 R/R Two-year varsity baseball letterwinner at San Dimas High School under head coach Mike Regan Selected in the 37th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins Went 4-1 with a 2.72 ERA and one save as a senior (2011), totaling 53 strikeouts and 12 walks in 56.2 innings Batted.360 with two home runs, 14 doubles, 22 RBI and 26 runs scored during his senior season Helped lead San Dimas High School to the 2011 Valle Vista League championship
Eric Filia-Snyder OF, Freshman Huntington Beach, Calif. (Edison HS) 6-0, 175 L/R Four-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Edison High School under head coach Steve Lambright Named Sunset League MVP as a junior (2010) and co-mvp as a senior (2011) with teammate Christian Lopes Secured first-team All-CIF Southern Section Division I honors as a senior Rated one of top five players to watch by the Orange County Register as a freshman, sophomore and junior Listed as a top-five outfielder by the Los Angeles Times as a junior Captured first-team Orange County Register All-County accolades as a senior Led Edison High School to three consecutive Sunset League titles (2009, 2010, 2011) Concluded high school career ranking seventh all-time in CIF history with 156 hits Batted.351 with a team-high 60 total bases, 33 hits and 27 runs as a senior Earned second-team All-CIF Southern Section Division I honors as a junior Batted.391 as a junior (2010), totaling seven home runs and 17 RBI with a.491 on-base percentage First-team Orange County Register All-County, first-team Cal-Hi Sports All-State underclassman as a junior Batted.354 as a sophomore (2009), collecting three home runs, eight doubles, 17 RBI and 23 runs Secured second-team All-Sunset League accolades as a sophomore Led Edison to the 2009 CIF Southern Section Division I title game as a sophomore Batted.500 as a freshman (2008), tying a school record held by Jeff Kent for single-season batting average Set school records during his freshman year for most single-season hits (53) and at-bats (106) Named Sunset League Rookie of the Year in 2008 Batted.700 at the USA Baseball National Championship in 2008 Was named to the Team USA 16-U Trial Team Competed on the Babe Ruth gold medal-winning team at the Tournament of the Stars in Cary, N.C. Named to Team USA s National Team Trial squad in 2009 and 2010 Played for the Milwaukee Brewers Blue Team at the 2010 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. Selected to the Angels Elite and New York Yankees scout teams in the fall of 2009 and 2010 Earned the Edison HS Character Coalition Award in English and geometry in 2008 Justin Hazard Infielder, Freshman Tustin, Calif. (Beckman HS) 6-2, 200 L/R Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Beckman High School under head coach Kevin Lavalle Batted.402 with one home run, 15 doubles, 23 RBI and 33 hits as a senior (2011) Helped lead Beckman to the CIF Southern Section Division III championship as a senior Guided Beckman to the Pacific Coast League title during his senior campaign Finished his three-year baseball career with a.403 batting average, 10 home runs, 35 doubles and 89 RBI Earned first-team All-Pacific Coast League honors as a sophomore, junior and senior Secured first-team all-city honors as a senior and first-team All-CIF Division III accolades as a junior Captured the Pacific Coast League Sportsmanship Award as a senior Named Beckman s offensive player of the year in 2010 and defensive player of the year in 2009 Was invited to play in the 2011 Orange County All-Star High School Seniors game Batted.404 with seven home runs, 13 doubles, 39 RBI and 21 runs as a junior (2010) Was also a two-year varsity football letterwinner (quarterback) at Beckman High School
Chris Keck Infielder, Freshman Pleasanton, Calif. (Amador Valley HS) 6-2, 190 L/R Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Amador Valley High School under head coach Lou Cesario Appeared in the Connie Mack World Series in 2009 and 2011 Won the home run derby at the 2011 Connie Mack World Series Batted.462 with four homers, three triples, 26 RBI, 26 runs and 30 walks as a junior (2010) Secured East Bay Athletic League MVP honors as a junior, posting a.609 on-base percentage that year Led Amador Valley in all triple crown categories as a junior (average, home runs, RBI) Helped lead Amador Valley to its first-ever CIF North Coast Section title in 2010 Played for the Milwaukee Brewers White Team at the 2010 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. Competed in the Connie Mack League for the Danville Hoots Baseball Club Michael Kerman RHP, Junior Beverly Hills, Calif. (Long Beach City College) 6-4, 220 R/R Two-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Long Beach City College under head coach Casey Crook In summer 2011, posted a 4.15 ERA in 11.0 innings for the Academy Barons (California Collegiate League) Totaled 15 strikeouts and five walks for the Academy Barons and was selected to the CCL All-Star Team Limited to six relief appearances (injury) as a sophomore in 2011 at LBCC Went 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA during his sophomore season, collecting 10 strikeouts and three walks in 8.0 innings Earned first-team All-South Coast Conference honors as a reliever in 2010 at Long Beach City College Led his team in appearances as a freshman (2010), logging a 1.82 ERA and one save in 24.2 innings Totaled 22 strikeouts and four walks as a freshman, limiting the opposition to a.232 batting average in 2010 Voted as the South Coast Conference s top relief pitcher in 2010 Nominated to the all-state team and was named to the 2010 Mizuno All-Star Team as a freshman Four-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Beverly Hills High School under head coach Vonzie Paysinger Batted.262 with four home runs, three doubles and 21 RBI as a senior at Beverly Hills High School Batted.339 as a junior (2007) with two homers and 13 RBI after batting.305 as a freshman (2006)
Kevin Kramer INF, Freshman Turlock, Calif. (Turlock HS) 6-0, 195 L/R Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Turlock High School under head coach Mark DelaMotte Three-year varsity football letterwinner (quarterback) at Turlock under head coach James Paterson Batted.350 with two homers, six doubles, 30 RBI and 39 runs as a senior (2011) Was at three-time first-team All-Central California League selection (2009, 2010, 2011) Batted.460 with seven home runs, five triples, 11 doubles, 30 RBI and 47 runs as a junior (2010) Named the Stanislaus District Athlete of the Year in 2010-11 Led Turlock to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section title game in 2010, collecting three home runs in the playoffs Played for the Milwaukee Brewers White Team at the 2010 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. Helped lead the USA Baseball U-16 Team to the gold medal in Taiwan during the summer of 2009 Served as starting quarterback for Turlock s football team in 2009 and 2010 Earned Central California League MVP honors as a quarterback during his senior season (2010) Passed for 1,037 yards and 15 TDs and rushed for 1,119 yards and 16 TDs as a senior Led Turlock to an 8-3 record and CIF Sac-Joaquin playoff berth in 2010 after going 0-10 in 2009 Zack Ortiz RHP, Freshman Garden Grove, Calif. (Cypress HS) 6-0, 220 R/R Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Cypress High School under head coach John Weber Two-year varsity football letterwinner at Cypress under head coach Ray Fenton Went 7-2 with a 1.69 ERA, 84 strikeouts and five complete games in 70.1 innings as a senior (2011) Named Cypress High School s team MVP as a senior Finished his career as Cypress all-time leader in pitching appearances (43) Logged a career 2.38 ERA with 19 wins, 10 complete games and 207 strikeouts at Cypress Earned honorable mention All-America honors from Louisville Slugger as a senior Captured All-Empire League Pitcher of the Year honors as a junior Secured first-team All-Empire League honors as a sophomore As a junior, earned first-team All-Empire League honors at quarterback for Cypress
Grant Watson LHP, Freshman Bakersfield, Calif. (Centennial HS) 6-0, 170 L/L Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Centennial High School under head coach Randy Roberts Three-year varsity basketball letterwinner at Centennial Went 9-1 with a 2.02 ERA and two saves in 13 appearances as a senior (2011) Recorded 74 strikeouts and 18 walks in 62.1 innings during his senior season Batted.351 with two home runs, 16 RBI, 26 hits and a.442 on-base percentage as a senior Helped lead Centennial to the Valley Section championship game with a 23-5 record as a senior Named Pitcher of the Year by the Bakersfield Californian following his senior season Captured All-Southwest Yosemite League Pitcher of the Year acclaim as a senior Earned second-team All-State accolades from Cal-Hi Sports as a senior Went 7-3 with a 2.09 ERA, one save and three complete games in 15 appearances as a junior (2010) Registered 77 strikeouts and 32 walks in 63.2 innings during his junior year Played for the ABD Bulldogs under head coach Mike Spiers in 2009 and 2010 Competed for the Southern California NTIS Team which participated in the 18U USA Baseball tryouts Went 4-2 with two saves and a 2.88 ERA in 13 appearances as a sophomore (2009) Recorded 53 strikeouts and 21 walks in 48.2 innings during his sophomore season As a basketball player, averaged 20.5 points per game as a senior, earning first-team all-area honors Shane Zeile INF, Freshman Valencia, Calif. (Valencia HS) 6-1, 190 R/R Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Valencia High School under head coach Jared Snyder Secured first-team All-Foothill League accolades as a junior and senior Batted.335 with five home runs, two triples, eight doubles, 19 walks, 25 RBI and 30 runs as a senior (2011) Selected to the Bakersfield vs. Santa Clarita All-Star Game and City vs. CIF All-Star Game Batted.330 with four home runs, four doubles, 20 RBI and 22 runs as a junior (2010) Ranked second in batting average (.529) in the Valley Invitational Baseball League (summer 2010) Posted a league-leading.882 slugging percentage in the Valley Invitational Baseball League (2010) Competed at the fourth annual Jesse Flores Memorial All-Star Game at Mt. SAC in November 2010 Uncle, Todd Zeile, played for UCLA from 1984-86 before enjoying a 15-year major league career ####