NATCHITOCHES – Five student-athletes from Louisiana, one from Arkansas, and one from Texas signed with the Northwestern State baseball team during the early signing period head coach Lane Burroughs and staff announced on Wednesday.
 
Kwanstan Adkins of Brusly (Brusly HS), Braedon Barrett of Lake Charles (Barbe HS), Cade Harper of Monroe (Ouachita Christian School), Jason Ortiz of Anacoco (Anacoco HS), and Miller Parker of Shreveport (Evangel Christian School) signed to be Demons as well as David Fry of Coffeyville, Texas (Grapevine HS) and Cade Jones of Conway, Ark. (Conway HS).
 
"We knew that this class was going to be a lot smaller than last year, therefore we were very careful in our evaluation and extending offers.  Our main goals in putting together a class are athleticism, strength, toughness and competitive makeup," said Burroughs. "We feel this class exemplifies exactly that.
 
"Our goal this year was to focus on the high school players," he said. "Last year we brought in more junior college guys for immediate need, but now we are building a foundation for the future.  These young men along with this year's freshman bring as solid of a base as I've been around."
 
Adkins, a 6-2 outfielder that ranks as the 15^th-best player in the state, was named first-team all-metro and All-State his junior season when he hit at a .431 clip with six homeruns, 12 doubles, and three triples.
 
"Kwanstan is a special athlete and had several Division I football offers as well baseball offers," said assistant coach Andy Morgan. "He is a big, physical, athletic, left-handed hitting outfielder. He is a plus-runner with a chance to cause havoc on the bases."
 
He helped his team to a 71-31 record and three trips to the playoffs during his three seasons as a letterman.
 
"With his strength he will have the ability to hit for power," said Morgan. "Kwanstan knows how to compete against good competition because he played for Marucci 17 this summer. We are very excited about what he will bring to the program."
 
He is the son of Kwame and Stan Adkins and has one sister, Kameryn, and brother, Chelon. Tait Dupont coaches Adkins at Brusly.
 
Barrett, a 6-0 infielder, was a two-sport standout at Barbe earning all-district honors in baseball and football.  He is a two-district champion in both.
 
"Braedon is a player that we've recruited for two years now, and we saw him during first fall after we were hired," said assistant coach Chris Curry.  "He comes from arguably one of the best baseball programs in the country in Barbe High School in Lake Charles; we're excited to get a player from a program like Barbe."
                     
Barrett was ranked by Perfect Game, an independent scouting service that puts on some of the best showcases and tournaments in amateur baseball, as the 39^th-best third baseman in the nation.
 
"He brings outstanding makeup and work ethic.  He's a switch hitter and we saw him hit homeruns from both sides of the plate," said Curry.  "He has the ability to move and plays the game very, very smoothly, and we believe he can play anywhere on the infield."
 
He is the son Shey and Jarred Barrett and has one brother (Tyler) and two sisters (Jordyn and Ann Kathryn).
 
Harper, a 6-1 outfielder, is a three-year letterman in baseball and a four-year letterman in football.  He was named first-team all-district in his junior season with a .402 batting average and six homeruns. He was ranked as the 26^th-best player out of Louisiana, right before fellow signee Miller Parker.
 
"Cade is a very physical player from Ouachita Christian under Coach (John) Parker," said Curry. "We like his stroke from the left side and his ability to run for a big man."
 
He led his team to a 30-6 season that ended in the state semifinals in 2013, and won the state championship in 2012.
 
"He'll play centerfield in the spring, but we project him as a corner outfielder," said Curry.  "We like his presence from the left side (of the plate), and he plays the game hard and plays the game well. "
 
Harper is the son of Micha and Kristan Harper.  He has one brother, Bo, and two sisters, Meghan and Mollie.
 
Ortiz, a 6-3 left-handed pitcher, is a six-year letterman in both baseball and golf, and four-year letterman in basketball.  He was named first-team All-State and Vernon Parish pitcher of the year his sophomore season.
 
"Jason is a player from right down the road in Anacoco. He's a left-handed pitcher and we believe his best days are in front of him," said Curry. "With a body at 6-3, 195 he is going to mature and be a very physical, strong pitcher on the mound.
 
"His arm is live, and he's athletic," he said. "Both of his parents attended NSU so he has NSU in his family. He is an extremely smart player that is going to translate to the field"
 
Ortiz was coached by Jock Eusay and is the son of Belinda and Vic Ortiz.
 
Parker, a 5-11 infielder, is a two-time state champion with a combined record of 78-28 during his time on the varsity squad.  He was voted first-team All-State, all-district and all-city with a .370 batting average and three homeruns.
 
"Miller is an infielder from another great program.  He already has two state titles under his belt and will look for a third one this year," said Curry.  "What we liked about him was his makeup.  He plays with an edge, with tenacity, and plays the game hard."
 
He is a four-year letterman in baseball and was also named second-team all-district his sophomore season with a .290 average.
 
"His arm really works from all arm slots, and what really attracts us is his offense," he said. "He is a clutch hitter that we feel is going to bring some offense from the middle infield as well as a great, hard-nosed attitude to our program."
 
He was coached by Tim Hulett and is the son of Elise and Chad Parker.  He has two brothers, Gray and Jack, and one sister, Mary-Owen.
 
Fry, a 6-0 infielder, is a two-year letterman that joined the varsity squad his sophomore season and led Grapevine to a 46-21 record and two district championships.
 
"I had the opportunity to see David play seven or eight times this summer, and every time I walked away thinking that this kid was a ballplayer," said Morgan. "He is a plus-defender at shortstop with good hands and an above-average arm."
 
He was an all-district selection and led his team to a school-record 27 wins last season.
 
"He is a very good athlete and runner," said Morgan. "What excites us the most about David is his leadership qualities and his ability to encourage and push players around him. We have signed several players from David's summer team, the Arlington As, so we know he will be prepared to play at this level."
 
Fry is coached by Tim McCune and is the son of Nancy and Jay Fry.  He has one brother, Justin.
 
Jones, a 5-11 outfielder, led Conway in batting average (.400), on-base percentage (.568), and slugging percentage (.694) on his way to being named All-State.  He had two homers, three triples, and 13 doubles.
 
"Cade has a strong, compact body which produces a short stroke and power to all fields," said Curry.  "We project him to be a gap-type guy that can leave the yard at any time and hit for average."
 
His team ranked fourth in the state with a 22-7 record and a trip to the state semifinals last season.
 
"He comes from a tradition-rich program from coaches Noel Boucher and Barry Lueders- for whom I played," said Curry. "They won a state championship a couple of years ago so he has been trained to play the game hard and the right way."
 
He is the son of Amy and Tim Jones and has two sisters, Attaleigh and Chloe.
 
"From skill-set to character we expect these young men to make our university, alumni and community very proud," said Burroughs.  "Once again Chris and Andy proved to be solid judges of ability and character.  Along with GT (McCullough), Coach (Evan) Coachman, academics and our players, it was a solid, hard fought effort and I'm very proud of them all.
 
"My guys can flat out recruit and I appreciate the time away from home and family to make this class possible," he said.
 
The Demons open the 2014 season on Feb. 14 with a series at Jacksonville State. 


Demon Baseball Bios:

Kwanstan Adkins
OF  •  6-2  •  195  •  Brusly, La. (Brusly HS)
High School
• hit at .431 clip junior season with six homers, 12 doubles and three triples.
• named first-team All-Metro and All-State senior season.
• helped his team to a 71-31 record during his three lettered seasons.
• three trips to the playoffs, including a semifinal appearance junior season.
• had a .313 batting average his freshman season and was named first-team all-district
• third-ranked outfielder in the state of Louisiana and 80^th ranked in the nation.
• lettered in football four seasons, three-time first-team all-district.
• member of the Beta Club and Youth Legislature.
• holds a 3.0 grade point average.
• coached by Tait Dupont in baseball and Erik Willis in football.
Personal
• son of Kwame and Stan Adkins.
• one sister, Kameryn, and one brother, Chelon.
• plans to major in accounting/business management.
• wants to open his own tax business.
• born November 20, 1995.
 
 
David Fry
INF  •  6-0  •  165  •  Grapevine, Texas (Grapevine HS)
High School
• three year letterman in baseball and played basketball for a season.
• joined the varsity squad in his sophomore season, and has helped Grapevine to a 46-21 record and two district championships.
• team set a school record for wins in a season with a 27-10 record
• named first-team all-district as a shortstop.
• coached by Tim McCune.
• Class Representative for Students Standing Strong Organization
Personal:
• son of Nancy and Jay Fry.
• one brother, Justin, is receiving a masters in accounting from Texas A&M
• plans to major in math.
 
 
Cade Jones
OF  •  5-11  •  195  •  Conway, Ark. (Conway HS)
High School
• named class 7A All-State and 7A/6A Central All-Conference his junior season
• had two homers, three triples, and 13 doubles.
• led the team in batting average (.400), on-base percentage (.568), and slugging (.694).
• played on the junior varsity team his freshman and sophomore seasons. Had .450 and .345 batting averages, restively.
• ranked no. 4 in the state last season with a 22-7 record and a trip to the state semifinals.
• coached by Noel Boucher, Barry Lueders, and Ryan Reid.
• member of the BETA Club and Spanish Club.
• holds a 3.8 grade point average. 
Personal:
• son of Amy and Tim Jones.
• has two sisters, Attaleigh and Chloe.
• born September 14, 1995.
• plans to major in business with a concentration in finance.
• would like to play professional baseball, go to law school, or start a career in finance.
• full name is Cade Tillman Jones.
 
 
 
Braedon Barrett
INF  •  6-0  •  175  •  Lake Charles, La. (Barbe HS)
High School
• named all-district last season.
• lettered two seasons in football and baseball.
• two-time football district champion
• two-time district champion in baseball.
• coached Mike Cutrera in football and Glenn Cecchini in baseball.
• member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
• holds a 3.0 grade point average.
Personal
• son of Shey and Jarred Barrett.
• father is a two-time karate world champion
• one brother, Tyler.
• one sister, Jordyn and Ann Kathryn.
• plans to major in physical education
• wants to play professional baseball or coach high school baseball.
• born July 15, 1995.
• nickname is "Brae" or "B".
 
 
Cade Harper
OF  •  6-1  •  230  •  Monroe, La. (Ouachita Christian School)
High School
• three-year letterman in baseball and four year winner in football.
• first-team all-district in baseball with a .402 batting average and six homeruns during his junior season.
• in his junior season in football, all-state and all-district linebacker.  Named 1A defensive most valuable player at the linebacker position.
• named all-district in football and baseball sophomore seasons, all-state in football.
• helped his team to a 30-6 season that ended in the state semifinals in 2013. 
• baseball state champions in baseball in 2012.
• has played every season in the state championship in football and is the all-time tackle leader at OCS with 455 tackles.
• coached in football by Steven Fitzhughs and in baseball by his father, Micah, and John Parker.
• member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Art Club, Lambda Sigma Kappa, and the youth group at Forsythe Church of Christ.
• holds a 3.53 grade point average.
Personal
• son of Micah and Kristan Harper.
• father is the President, athletic director, and coach at Ouachita Christian School.
• one brother, Bo, who was a state champion shot putter in 2011 and 2012.  Now at Central Arkansas.
• two sisters, Meghan and Mollie.
• Mollie played on the OCS football team and was the leading tackler on the team.  She played with Cincinnati Bengals star, Andrew Witworth.
• plans to major in business.
• born June 19, 1995.
• nickname is "Bull."
 
 
 
 
Jason Ortiz
LHP  •  6-3  •  195  •  Anacoco, La. (Anacoco HS)
High School
•  six-year letterman in baseball and golf.
• four-year letterman in basketball.
• voted first-team All-State in class B his sophomore season.
• Vernon Parish pitcher of the year.
• coached in baseball by Jock Eusay, basketball by Kevin Jeane, and golf by Chris Ferguson.
• member of 4H, National Honor Society, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
• holds a 4.0 grade point average.
Personal
• son of Belinda and Vic Ortiz.
• father was inducted into the LHSAA Hall of Fame as a basketball coach.
• born Oct. 14, 1995.
• nicknamed "Lefty."
• plans to major in sports medicine.
• wants to find a job in the field of sports medicine.
• full name is Jason David Ortiz
 
 
Miller Parker
INF  •  5-11  •  170  •  Shreveport, La. (Evangel Christian Academy)
High School
• two-time state champion with a combined record of 78-28 during his time on the varsity squad.
• named first-team all-district, all-city and All-State with a batting average of .370 and three homeruns.
• had a .290 average sophomore year and was voted second-team all-district.
• coached by Tim Hulett.
• four year letterman in baseball.
• holds a 3.4 grade point average
 Personal
• born on August 17, 1995.
• son of Elise and Chad Parker.
• two brothers, Gray and Jack.
• Gray played for the NSU football team from 2004-06.
• one sister, Mary-Owen.
• plans to major in business.
• hopes to pursue a successful career in business. 
• full name is Frederic Miller Parker.