Demon Baseball | 8/20/2018 1:48:00 PM

NATCHITOCHES –The second full recruiting class of the Bobby Barbier era was slightly smaller than the first.
 
Still the Demons' skipper expects the same type of impact from the 13-player signing class he announced Monday.
 
Barbier welcomed six freshmen, five junior-college transfers and a pair of Division I transfers to the Demon family, one year after adding 23 players to the roster.
 
"We're really excited about this signing class," Barbier said. "Coach (Chris) Bertrand and coach (Taylor) Dugas did a great job on the road identifying players who fit not only our needs, but the culture we have here and the atmosphere around our program. We have a good mix of junior-college and high school players mixed in with a couple of transfers who I definitely think can come in and help a veteran team immediately."
 
 
2018 Northwestern State Baseball Signees
 
Cody Allen, C, 5-9, 200, R/R
Freshman
Alexandria, Louisiana (Grace Christian HS)
Notable: Five-year letterman for coach Josh Brown's Warriors … participated in the LHSCA All-Star Game after his senior season … helped lead Grace Christian to a state runner-up finish and was named first-team all-state after hitting .407 … helped lead the Warriors to the Division V state championship and was named honorable mention all-state as a junior … graduated with a 3.76 GPA.
Coach Chris Bertrand on Allen: "Cody is versatile as a catcher. He played in the LHSCA All-Star Game in Denham Springs. Cody comes from a Grace Christian program that consistently challenged for state championships. He is a solid defender, who has room to grow both offensively and defensively. Working with our veteran pitching staff will help hone his defensive skills and allow him to develop his leadership behind the plate."
 
Hayden Brown, UT, 6-3, 205, R/R
Junior
San Antonio, Texas (Clark HS/Murray State College)
Notable: Played one year at Murray State College … helped lead Murray State to a No. 9 national ranking and a conference title … batted .340 with 12 home runs, earning second-team all-region honors … teammate of fellow NSU signee Peyton Graham … four-year letterman at Clark High School for coach Aldo Velasquez … unanimous first-team all-district selection as a senior after hitting .420 … hit .340 as a freshman to earn second-team all-district honors … helped lead Clark to a pair of playoff appearances … also lettered in football … Dean's List student graduated with a 3.9 GPA in high school and a 3.4 mark at Murray State.
Coach Taylor Dugas on Brown: "Hayden comes to us from Murray State College. We're excited about having both (Brown) brothers coming in here. Both Hayden and Hilton have power. Hayden had a really good JUCO season offensively. He produced really well for Murray State. Hayden is a big, physical corner infielder with plus arm strength. His power will play well in the middle of our lineup."
 
 
Hilton Brown, IF, 6-1, 200, R/R
Freshman
San Antonio, Texas (Reagan HS)
Notable: Four-year letterman for coach Chans Chapman's Rattlers … was a three-time preseason Under Armour All-American who helped Reagan win consecutive Texas Class 6A state game appearances as a junior and senior… honorable mention preseason Perfect Game All-American entering his senior season … second-team all-state selection as a senior after winning the team's Triple Crown, batting .392 with 10 home runs and 38 RBIs … unanimous first-team all-district selection was selected to play in the San Antonio All-Star Game … earned Class 6A DBAT Hitter of the Week honors … unanimous first-team all-district selection as a junior after leading the San Antonio high school ranks with 18 doubles … cum laude graduate posted a 3.7 grade point average.
Coach Taylor Dugas on Brown: "Hilton comes to us from a really good program in Reagan High School. Hilton can really swing it. He's produced really good numbers the past two years. As a junior, he led the state of Texas in doubles. Hilton will be a corner guy who can hit in the middle of the lineup for us. We are excited about his athleticism, which will allow him to play several different positions."
 
Jeffrey Elkins, OF, 5-10, 190, R/R
Freshman
Lafayette, Louisiana (Ascension Episcopal/UL Lafayette)
Notable: Spent one semester at UL Lafayette before transferring … was homeschooled and played one season at Ascension Episcopal for coach Lonny Landry … batted .652 with 12 doubles, 11 home runs, 60 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in his one season … named Class 1A state championship game Most Valuable Player, Class 1A All-State MVP and first-team All-American … graduated with a 3.0 grade point average ... spent the summer playing for the Acadiana Cane Cutters of the Texas Collegiate League.
Coach Taylor Dugas on Elkins: "Jeff is a really good runner and athletic center fielder. He has really quick hands and plus bat speed. He went to UL Lafayette out of high school and transferred here. Jeff is a really explosive player, whose athleticism has us excited. That speed and athleticism will give us a true stolen-base threat and a guy who runs the bases well."
 
Jacob Farrell, OF, 6-1, 185, R/R
Freshman
Cypress, Texas (Cy Fair HS)
Notable: Two-year letterman for coach Billy Hardin's Bobcats … missed senior season with an injury … helped lead Cy Fair to consecutive playoff berths in his sophomore and junior season … three-sport letterman was a three-year basketball player who was second-team all-district for coach Chad Suleimanji… two-year football letterman who helped lead Cy Fair to the state championship as a senior under coach Ed Pustejovsky … first-team all-district selection after scoring five touchdowns and gaining 450 all-purpose yards as a slot receiver… three-time academic all-district selection graduated with a weighted 6.02 grade point average … cum laude graduate was a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Younglife.
Coach Bobby Barbier on Jacob Farrell: "Jacob is a talented center fielder who missed his senior season with an arm injury. He played at a really good high school program in Cy Fair and for a really good summer program with Marucci Elite for former big leaguer Adam Dunn. Jacob is a very talented kid who had a little bad luck his senior year. We expect him to be a really good player for us when he's healthy."
 
Peyton Graham, RHP, 5-11, 165, R/R
Junior
Wylie, Texas (Wylie HS/Murray State College)
Notable: Pitched two seasons at Murray State College … helped lead the Aggies to back-to-back NJCAA District II championships and the 2017 national championship … went 3-1 with one save in 15 appearances (11 starts) as a sophomore … struck out 71 batters in 60 innings, earning first-team all-region honors … was named Region II Pitcher of the Week several times … went 2-3 and struck out 29 batters in 40 1-3 innings as a freshman … Academic All-American at Murray State, graduating with a 3.23 grade point average .. two-year letterman for coach Jonathan Cantu at Wyile High School … unanimous first-team all-district pitcher and was the District 10-5A Defensive Player of the Year for Wylie, which went 29-4-1 and was ranked fourth in the state … was named first-team Academic All-State after going 12-2 with a 1.40 ERA and 87 strikeouts while batting .364 with four home runs, including a walk-off shot against Sherman that clinched a playoff spot for Wylie … honorable mention all-district pitcher as a junior .. graduated with a 3.4 grade-point average.
Coach Bobby Barbier on Graham: "Peyton comes from Murray State College in Oklahoma where his pitching coach was former Demon and big leaguer Robert Ellis. He's a very mature pitcher. Peyton throws a lot of strikes. We think he can come in right away and have an impact on the mound. What we look for in a pitcher, especially junior-college guys and high school to a point, is strikeout-to-walk ratio. He had 71 strikeouts and 10 walks his sophomore season. We think he'll make an impact right away."
 
Landon LeBlanc, SS/2B, 5-10, 185, R/R
Freshman
Plaquemine, Louisiana (St. John HS)
Notable: Four-year letterman for coach Chris Harrell's Eagles …. Helped lead St. John to four straight playoff appearances, including a state championship appearance as a senior … named second-team small school All-American, composite all-state, Class 1A state MVP, All-Metro MVP and district MVP as a senior after hitting .426 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs while going 9-2 on the mound … first-team all-district all four years as St. John captured four straight district titles… four-year football letterman was an all-district punter while also rushing for more than 1,400 yards in his career … graduated with a 3.5 grade point average.
Coach Chris Bertrand on LeBlanc: "Landon comes from a winning program. He had the walk-off hit in the state semifinal in Sulphur. We think he has the ability to contribute with the bat. At one point, he was leading all high school hitters in home runs in the country. Landon is a guy who can really swing the bat and helps us fill our goal of becoming more athletic and more versatile. We think he's going to contribute offensively. Landon brings athleticism, speed and the ability to play short, second and third. He's a winner, he's versatile and he fits that goal of making us more athletic."
 
Nik Millsap, RHP, 6-3, 185, R/R
Freshman
Southlake, Texas (Southlake Carroll HS)
Notable: Two-year letterman for coach Lawrence Vucan's Dragons … helped lead Southlake Carroll to the Class 6A state championship as a senior … named to the state all-tournament team … second-team all-district first baseman as a senior, batting .333 overall and .462 in the playoffs as the Dragons went 36-6 … helped the Dragons reach the state semifinals as a junior … graduated with a 3.85 grade point average.
Coach Taylor Dugas on Millsap: "Nik comes from a state championship program in Southlake Carroll. Nik played first base and shortstop mostly in high school and played summer baseball with the DBAT organization in Dallas. Nik will be a two-way guy for us. He shows easy power at the plate. Nik has a big frame and an athletic build. We think he is one of the most athletic players in this class with the ability to give us production in the lineup, on the field or on the mound. On the mound, Nik will fill up the zone with a loose arm and clean delivery. We are excited to see what he can do for us in a two-way role."
 
Adam Moncure, OF, 5-10, 210, R/R
Freshman
Clinton, Mississippi (Clinton HS)
Notable: Four-year letterman for coach Trave Hopkins' Arrows … named a Rawlings Perfect Game Preseason All-American and to the Clarion-Ledger's Dandy Dozen as a senior … also tagged as Mississippi Gridiron's Baseball Player to Watch … earned Perfect Game Southeast Region honorable mention honors and was part of the Mississippi Class 6A All-State Team after hitting .313 with five homers, nine stolen bases and 23 RBIs … team MVP and Silver Slugger winner as a junior, hitting .419 with three home runs and 26 RBIs as a junior … named to the District 6-6A All-Star Team and was an honorable mention Perfect Game Underclassmen All-American … batted .351 with 18 stolen bases as a sophomore, earning 6-6A all-star honors … helped lead the Arrows to consecutive district semifinal berths in his final two seasons … Clinton averaged 21 wins per season in his four years … was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Student Council and the Anchor Club … graduated with a 3.5 grade point average.
Coach Chris Bertrand on Moncure: "Adam was the first member of this class. He was evaluated early. He committed early and wanted to be a part of it. There's a lot to be said for that. Adam is another guy who fits the mold of us becoming more athletic, more versatile. He can play multiple outfield spots. Adam is a power-speed combination outfielder. Adam has a big, strong frame that is built for adding strength and power. With what we expect him to develop into, he will be a big part of this class."
 
Elijah Nelson, IF/OF, 6-1, 190, R/R
Sophomore
Biloxi, Mississippi (Biloxi HS/Hinds CC)
Notable: Played two seasons at Hinds Community College … appeared in seven games in 2018, hitting .250 and stealing three bases in as many tries … lettered as a freshman, batting .295 with a home run and 18 RBIs … lettered three seasons at Bilxoi High School for coach Eddie Lofton … played in the Mississippi All-Star Game as a senior … played in the State Games Tournament in both his junior and senior seasons … graduated with a 3.5 grade point average.
Coach Bobby Barbier on Nelson: "Elijah comes from Hinds where he played for Sam Temple and Nick Ammirati, who coached here. He comes highly recommended from those guys. He's another one who had some tough luck this spring with an injury. Elijah was under-recruited because of it. We were lucky to get him to come and finish his rehab here. We think he can be a power bat, corner infield/outfield kind of guy. Once Elijah heals, he can be a contributor and a middle-of-the-lineup kind of guy."
 
Jakob Nunez, C, 5-11, 200, R/R
Senior
Odessa, Texas (Odessa HS/UT Arlington)
Notable: Spent two seasons at UT Arlington, lettering in 2018 after a redshirt season … homered twice and drove in 12 runs in 32 games (26 starts) … member of the Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll … spent two seasons at Odessa College where he was named first-team all-conference … ranked seventh nationally with 26 doubles … batted .415 with 10 home runs, 46 RBIs and 58 runs scored … two-time all-district catcher at Odessa High where he lettered four seasons in baseball and three in football … graduated with a 3.2 grade point average … played this summer for the Savannah Bananas in the Coastal Plain League … already has his undergraduate degree and will pursue a master's in sports administration.
Coach Taylor Dugas on Nunez: "Jakob brings a veteran presence behind the plate. He has a lot of experience. Before his time at UTA, he put up phenomenal numbers at Odessa College. Jakob is a veteran hitter with power who can step right in to a spot we need to fill. We're excited about having him join our team and adding that veteran presence behind the plate."
 
Payne Rodgers, SS, 6-0, 175, R/R
Freshman
Arlington, Texas (Mansfield Summit HS)
Notable: Three-year letterman for coach Chris Peacock's Jaguars … named district Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and was a first-team Academic All-State selection … second-team all-district shortstop as a junior … first-team all-district at second base as a sophomore and was the team's offensive MVP as the Jaguars went 21-10, won the District 14-5A championship and reached the second round of the state playoffs … was part of the Mansfield ISD Athletic Leadership Council, the National Honor Society, Student Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes … graduated with a 3.8 grade point average.
Coach Taylor Dugas on Rodgers: "Payne comes to us from the Arlington A's, which we've had a lot of success in our program with guys from that organization – David Fry, Mason Melotakis and Brandon Morgan. We're really excited about Payne. He can play just about anywhere – short, second, third. Payne is just a ballplayer. He has really good energy when he plays. Payne has good arm strength and brings those intangibles that are hard to teach. At the plate, Payne has gap power that could develop into something more later in his Northwestern State career."
 
Marshall Skinner, C, 6-1, 205, R/R
Junior
Cypress, Texas (Cypress Ranch HS/Blinn College)
Notable: Played two seasons at Blinn College … third-team academic All-America selection had 11 home runs and a .415 on-base percentage as a sophomore … named first-team all-region after hitting .350 with five home runs and 15 doubles as a freshman … added regional Defensive Player of the Year honors … graduated with a 3.6 grade point average … three-year letterman at Cypress Ranch High School for coach John Pope … three-time first-team all-district selection and district MVP as a senior … helped lead the Mustangs to the Class 6A state title as a junior … played for the Victoria Generals of the Texas Collegiate League this summer, helping lead the team to the TCl championship.
Coach Taylor Dugas on Skinner: "Marshall comes to us from Blinn College where he played for former Demon Harvey McIntyre. He's a transfer catcher who has a really good presence behind the plate. Marshall is a really good catch-and-throw guy who also has really big power with the bat. He's hit a lot of home runs the past few years. Marshall can be a middle-of-the-lineup bat for us. We think Marshall will be a strong fit behind the plate with our veteran pitching staff."

2018 Northwestern State Baseball Signees List 
Cody Allen, C, 5-9, 200, Alexandria, La. (Grace Christian HS)
Hayden Brown, UT, 6-3, 205, San Antonio, Texas (Clark HS/Murray State College)
Hilton Brown, INF, 6-1, 200, San Antonio, Texas (Reagan HS)
Jeffrey Elkins, OF, 5-10, 190, Lafayette, La. (Ascension Episcopal/UL Lafayette)
Jacob Farrell, OF, 6-1, 185, Cypress, Texas (Cy Fair HS)
Peyton Graham, RHP, 5-11, 165, Wyile, Texas (Wylie HS/Murray State College)
Landon LeBlanc, INF, 5-10, 185, Plaquemine, La. (St. John HS)
Nik Millsap, RHP, 6-3, 185, Southlake, Texas (Southlake Carroll HS)
Adam Moncure, OF, 5-10, 210, Clinton, Miss. (Clinton HS)
Elijah Nelson, UT, 6-1, 190, Biloxi, Miss. (Biloxi HS/Hinds CC)
Jakob Nunez, C, 5-11, 200, Odessa, Texas (Odessa HS/UT Arlington)
Payne Rodgers, INF, 6-0, 175, Arlington, Texas (Mansfield Summit HS)
Marshall Skinner, C, 6-1, 205, Cypress, Texas (Cypress Ranch HS/Blinn College)