Grinnell College Class of 2017

Grinnell, Iowa

The Grinnell College Pioneers landed another outstanding first year class. 8 new student-athletes have deposited to attend Grinnell College with intent to play baseball. Head Tim Hollibaugh returns 30 players (20 letter winners) from the 2013 team. Coach Hollibaugh on the class of 2017: “This class has addressed the depth we need at a few position to compete for a MWC Championship. With hard work and fine tuning, this class has the opportunity to be outstanding.” Full Name: Jacob Bernholtz

Home Town: Huxley, IA

High School Name: Ballard High School

High School Coach: John Cisna

Ht: 5’8’’ Wt: 190 Bat: R Throw: R

Academic Background: Bernholtz was a three-time Academic All- Conference performer. He enjoys hanging out with his friend as well as making new friends.

Baseball Background: Jacob was a two-time Honorable Mention All- Conference player. He also earned 3 varsity letters in baseball. Was captain in both baseball and football. Jacob plans to play both sports at Grinnell.

JACOB BERNHOLTZ INFORMATION Favorite Food Beef Brisket Favorite Pro Baseball Team Favorite College Team (and sport) Iowa State Football Favorite Pro Athlete(s) Jake MacDenough Favorite All-Time Movie Hercules Favorite TV Show Spartacus Favorite Music Artist Macklemore Favorite Song Castle Do you have a pet(s) 2 Great Danes Car – Make & Model Jeep Cherokee Full Name: Benjamin Rablin Binversie

Home Town: Mequon, WI

High School: Homestead High School

High School Coach: Ernie Millard

Ht: 5’10” Wt: 190 Bat: R Throw: R

Academic Background: Ben won the Outstanding Spanish Student Award, was a National Merit Finalist, High Honor Roll and Homestead Merit Award winner. He was also on the National Honor Society Executive Board, Volunteered at Holton Youth Family Center and was involved with the Holton Youth and Family Center which serves at-risk youth in inner-city Milwaukee. He was active in Tutoring, help organized Baked Goods Drive for Family Homeless Shelter in Milwaukee as well as organized Football Equipment Drive for Inner City Milwaukee Youth Football League. Ben also enjoys being active in Relay for Life, Fantasy Sports and Reading.

Athletic Background: was a 2 year varsity starter and captain his senior season. Ben played baseball, football and wrestled in high school. Ben was awarded the Homestead Leadership Team (Football) as well as the Unsung Hero Award during our 2012 State Championship Season.

BEN BINVERSIE INFORMATION Favorite Food Ice Cream Favorite Pro Baseball Team Brewers Favorite Pro Team (any sport) Packers Favorite College Team (and sport) Marquette Basketball Favorite Pro Athlete(s) Arian Foster, Mark Reynolds, Calvin Johnson, Brett Favre  Favorite All-Time Movie The Sandlot Favorite TV Show Friends Favorite Music Artist Credence Clearwater Revival Favorite Song Sweet Caroline Do you have a pet(s) Golden Retriever Car – Make & Model Chevrolet Suburban Full Name: Matthew James Hammond

Home Town: Post Falls, ID

High School Name: Post Falls High School

High School Coach: Dustin Frank

Ht: 5’11” Wt: 180 Bat: R Throw: R

Academic Background: Matt was a scholar-athlete and graduated with honors. He was involved in the Key Club, NHS and Idaho Drug Free Youth. Matt volunteered with tutoring students, Trick or Treat for Canned Goods, Give Hunger the Bird, Blood Drive Volunteer and Kootenai Humane Society. Enjoys Playing video games, watching movies, working out, playing with his dog, hiking or anything outdoors

Baseball Background: Was team defensive MVP his senior year and was all- league while being a 3 year varsity starter and captain of his team. Played on the Spokane Dodgers (travel team). Attended Triple Crown Spring, Tempe AZ and Northwest summer tournaments. Also played on Baseball Northwest Scout which competed in Arizona Fall Classic Peoria, AZ. His junior year he played for the Spokane Dodgers and was invited to play in the Northwest Academic Game (only incoming junior selected for team). MATT HAMMOND INFORMATION Name: Matt Hammond Favorite Food Fish Favorite Pro Baseball Team Dodgers Favorite Pro Team (any sport) Favorite College Team (and sport) UCLA Favorite Pro Athlete(s) Jonathan Lucroy Favorite All-Time Movie 42 Favorite TV Show Supernatural Favorite Music Artist Mumford & Sons Do you have a pet(s) Dog, cat Car – Make & Model 1995 Isuzu Rodeo Full Name: Noah Phillips Mathews Home Town: New York, NY High School: The Beacon School High School Coach: Tom Covotsos Ht: 6”0’ Wt: 185 Bat: R Throw: R

Academic Honors in High School: Graduated with Mathematics Honors and was involved in Ansche Chesed Men’s Homeless Shelter as well as Varsity Baseball Representative for Underclassmen. Noah enjoys listening to music, concerts and reading.

Baseball Background: was selected to the NYC Mayor’s Cup “Best in the City” team, a PSAL All-Star, was a 4 year varsity starter and captain his senior season. Noah also played in Perfect Game BCS Finals Fort Myers, FL, ECTB World Series Allentown, PA, Battle At the Border Purchase, NY, Northeast Baseball Summer Invitational Worcester, MA, Perfect Game World Wood Bat Championship East Cobb, GA, CABA Wood Bat World Series East Cobb, GA, Perfect Game World Wood Bat Championship (2012)- East Cobb, GA, CABA Senior Wood Bat World Series Charleston, SC, Moosic Mets Memorial Day Invitational Scranton, PA, NCAA College Recruitment and Instructional Baseball Camps, Boston College “Bird Ball” Boston, MA, Franklin & Marshall College Baseball Camp Lancaster, PA, Headfirst Honor Roll Showcase Yaphank, NY, Johns Hopkins University Baseball Camp Baltimore, MD, DeMarini TOP 96 Easton, PA, New York Gotham's, Team New York and New York Dynasty.

Noah Mathews Information Favorite Food Steak Favorite Pro Baseball Team Favorite Pro Team (any sport) New York Yankees Favorite College Team (and sport) University of Florida/ Football Favorite Pro Athlete(s) Greg Maddux, Matt Cain Favorite All-Time Movie The Social Network Favorite TV Show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Favorite Music Artist Jay-Z Favorite Song U Don’t Know – Jay-Z Do you have a pet(s) Duke (dog) Full Name: Conor James Monigal

Home Town: Claymont, DE

High School Name: Archmere Academy

High School Coach: Chuck Clausius

Ht: 6’1 Wt: 180 Bat: L Throw: R

Academic Background: Was involved in Mastersingers (#1 High school Choir), won the Optimist Club Award and was awarded the Martino Scholarship. Active in Old St. Joe’s Homeless Outreach, Don Guanella Village for Mentally Challenged Boys, Archmere Community Baseball Camp, St. Francis Inn Soup Kitchen, Philadelphia, Kennett Square Christmas Basket and Boys & Girls Club of Claymont, DE. Also participated in the United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar. Conor also volunteered for the Joe Sestak senate campaign. Enjoys Hitting & Throwing at Maple Zone Baseball Training Facility, reading sports news, watching movies, listening to music, Fantasy Football and the Green Bay Packers.

Baseball Background: was a 2 year varsity starter and attended Headfirst Showcase – Long Island NY, Maple Zone Muckdawgs, West Chester University Baseball Camp. Also played on Westtown Express Legion Baseball. Conor played JV Football (Tight End/ Defensive End).

CONOR MONIGAL INFORMATION Favorite Food Pizza Favorite Pro Baseball Team Chicago Cubs Favorite Pro Team (any sport) Green Bay Packers Favorite College Team (and sport) Kansas Jayhawks Basketball Favorite Pro Athlete(s) Randall Cobb Favorite All-Time Movie Pursuit of Happiness Favorite TV Show The Office Favorite Music Artist Frank Ocean Do you have a pet(s) Two Labra doodles – Tucker, Jessie Car – Make & Model A trusty 2009 Subaru Legacy Full Name: Nikolas Takayesu

Home Town: Honolulu, HI

High School Name: Punahou School

High School Coach: Kenny Harrison

Ht: 5’6” Wt: 150 Bat: L Throw: R

Academic Background: Niko graduated with Honors and was Itoman Shijin Kai (Okinawan Club), Punahou Math Team, Punahou Glassblowing Club, Punahou Mud (Ceramics) Club. Volunteered at Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii, Power Hour and study hall, Sierra Club: Hawaii Chapter. Hawaii United Okinawan Association, Makiki Church of Christ, Waipahu Weed-Seed (Honolulu Police Department, District 3), Cub Scouts, Math and Science Tutor and the Punahou Carnival.

Baseball Background: Niko was a 2 year starter at Punahou. He participated in the NCAA College Recruitment/Instructional Baseball Camps, Arizona Junior Fall Classic, Stanford University All Star Camp, Academic West Top 96, St. Mary's College and Georgetown University Prospect Camp. He was also a Volleyball Team member and plays Racquetball

NIKO TAKAYESU INFORMATION Favorite Food Spam Musubi Favorite Pro Baseball Team Favorite Pro Team (any sport) San Francisco Giants Favorite College Team (and sport) Grinnell Pioneers Favorite Pro Athlete(s) Omar Vizquel Favorite All-Time Movie Usual Suspects Favorite TV Show Baseball Tonight Favorite Music Artist Jane’s Addiction Favorite Song Sunless Saturday, by Fishbone Car – Make & Model Honda CRV Full Name: Teague Towner Home Town: Ventura, CA High School : Ventura High School High School Coach: Matt Villegas Ht: 6’0” Wt: 165 Bat: Left Throw: Right

Academic Background: Magna Cum Laude of his senior class. Was involved in Key Club, California Scholarship Federation, marketing committee for YOGO movement (You Only Got One), American Legion Boy’s State Delegate, Ventura High School PTSA. He was also the founding member of Assisteens which was an auxiliary of Assistance League of Ventura County and Ventura High School Readers Theater, a Math tutor for middle school student , Ventura Unified School District Summer Fest – Volunteer, Walt Disney University Leadership Development Program and Ventura High School Phoenix Trials Triathlon. Teague was American Legion Ventura County Boys State representative, helped with voter phone bank volunteer to encouraging citizens of all parties to vote and founder of Community Lacrosse League as well as Financier of Community Street Hockey League. He has interned at Atlas Capital Management and Guglielmo Accounting. Teague also enjoys Surfing, Tow Surfing, Hockey, Lacrosse, Beach, Football, Basketball which he was a 2 year captain. 3 years

Baseball Background: Teague was a 3 year varsity starter and was team Captain as well as his team MVP his senior season. Was 2nd Team All-Channel League, 2nd Team All-County and a West vs. East County Al-Star Player. He attended UCSB Baseball, U of AZ and Fresno State University showcases while also attending Ivy League Quakes camps. He also participated in West Coast Rangers Scout and Collegiate Teams while playing in the Easton Tournament, Under Armour Tournament and Arizona Fall Classic. TEAGIE TOWNER INFORMATION Favorite Food Burgers Favorite Pro Baseball Team L.A. Dodgers Favorite Pro Team (any sport) L.A. Kings Favorite College Team (and sport) USC Football Favorite Pro Athlete(s) Jack Wilson Favorite TV Show Two and a Half Men Favorite Music Artist Flux Pavilion Favorite Song Blue (da ba dee) by Eiffel 65 Car – Make & Model 2006 Chevy Impala Full Name: Fletcher Zornes

Home Town: Lincoln, NE

High School Name: Pius X High School

High School Coach: Troy Charf

Ht: 6’4’’ Wt: 235 Bat: R Throw: R

Academic Background: Fletcher was a member of NHS, volunteered at Matt Talbot Kitchen, Pius baseball camp and shadowed Medical Professionals at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. He also was a Totus Tuus Group Leader. Fletch enjoys listening to music, watching movies, playing video games, golfing and working out.

Baseball Background: Was 3-0 in 2013 with 3 saves and a 1.98 ERA. His team in 2012 was Class B State Champions and in 2013 Class B State Runner-up. This 2 year varsity starter was Academic All-State in both 2012 and 2013. He also attended Ron Wolforth's Pitching Boot Camp. FLETCHER ZORNES INFORMATION Favorite Food Pizza Favorite Pro Baseball Team New York Yankees Favorite Pro Team (any sport) New York Yankees Favorite College Team (and sport) Nebraska Cornhuskers Favorite Pro Athlete(s) Favorite All-Time Movie Anchorman Favorite TV Show Breaking Bad Favorite Music Artist Foo Fighters Favorite Song All My Life Do you have a pet(s) Black Lab- Daisy Car – Make & Model 1990 Lincoln Town Car