CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball program announced the addition of two junior college pitchers to their signing class. The Golden Eagles signed Jackson Schneider (RHP, 6-1 195, Forest Lake, Minn./Century College) and Joey Greco (RHP, 6-2 195, Half Moon Bay, Calif./Cañada College.
 
"We are very excited to add Jackson and Joey to our pitching staff," said Head Coach Steve Gust. "We think both guys can come in and compete and make our team better. We are excited to have them as Golden Eagles and excited to get their careers started at Minnesota Crookston."
 
Schneider and Greco are the first two signees during the late signing period for the Golden Eagles. They join the nine signees Minnesota Crookston added during the early signing period with the additions of Dawson Feuillerat (C, 5-9 190, Argyle, Minn./Stephen-Argyle Central H.S.), Teddy Giefer (1B/LHP, 6-3 170, Courtland, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran H.S.), Alex Koep (LHP, 5-10 160, Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie H.S.), Carter Mulcahy (C, 5-10 165, Perham, Minn./Perham H.S.), Broc Peterson (SS, Brainerd, Minn./Brainerd H.S.), Eric Salvesen (RHP, 6-5 190, Fergus Falls, Minn./Minnesota State Community and Technical College), Brody Sorenson (RHP/3B, Grand Forks, N.D./Red River H.S.), Matthew Thielen (SS, 5-10 150, Wheaton, Minn./Wheaton Area H.S.), and Raudel Wilson (RHP, 6-1 215, Hercules, Calif./De Anza H.S.).
 
Schneider and Greco help the Golden Eagles pitching staff, as they have competed at a high level in junior college. They help a Golden Eagle team that graduates pitchers Esten Beneda (Lankin, N.D.), Dalton Grose (Waterville, Minn.),and Clarke Peterson (East Grand Forks, Minn.). In addition, Minnesota Crookston also graduates field players Travis Conoryea (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.), and Bryce Jorgenson (Thunder Bay, Ontario).
 
The Golden Eagles had gotten off to a great start to the 2020 season with an 8-5 mark entering NSIC play before the cancellation of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. Minnesota Crookston has a strong core returning with seven seniors coming back with the extra year of eligibility granted. The Golden Eagles have continued to be a program on the rise, as they have made the NSIC Tournament in four of the past five seasons. Minnesota Crookston looks to have one of their most talented rosters yet with their strong core, and a talented recruiting class set to join the fray.
 
The student-athlete listed as having signed a National Letter of Intent or Offer of Admission to play baseball at the University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the Minnesota Crookston compliance office once they sign the National Letter of Intent or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission for Minnesota Crookston.



Jackson Schneider (RHP, 6-1 195, Forest Lake, Minn./Century College)
Schneider started two games as a sophomore for Century College, going 1-0 in 11.1 innings pitched. He posted a 4.76 ERA with 14 strikeouts to just five walks. Schneider earned a win in an 11-4 victory over Genesee C.C. March 12. As a freshman, Schneider appeared in 14 games, going 2-1 in 29.2 innings pitched. He earned three saves, mostly serving in a bullpen role. Schneider posted a 4.85 ERA and had 25 strikeouts as a freshman. He threw six innings against Brookdale C.C., and gave up just one earned run with nine strikeouts. Schneider earned a three inning save in a win over Augsburg University's junior varsity squad, notching three strikeouts. He was a junior college teammate of current Golden Eagle Chad Musser. He helped lead Century College to the NJCAA World Series as a freshman, as they posted 38 wins overall.

"We are excited to add Jackson to our recruiting class," Gust said. "He comes from a good program and pitched in the JUCO World Series a year ago. He has good stuff but his biggest asset is his ability to command the strike zone. Above all, he is very projectable. I believe he is only going to get better as he develops in our program for the next three years."


Joey Greco (RHP, 6-2 195, Half Moon Bay, Calif./Cañada College
Greco played one season at Cañada College in Redwood City, Calif. As a sophomore, Greco started six games and made seven appearances. He went 1-2 in 34.1 innings pitched with a 4.19 ERA. Greco had 16 strikeouts as a sophomore. He also added one save as a sophomore. Greco went six innings in a win over Laney C.C. He earned a save in a 2-0 victory over Mission C.C. As a freshman, he competed for Skyline College. He appeared in 10 games with two starts and 21.1 innings pitched. Greco had 10 strikeouts. Greco played high school ball at Half Moon Bay H.S. He was an All-Peninsula Athletic League pick as a junior and senior.
Greco was born June 27, 2000. He is the son of Mike and Rosa Greco. He plans to major in exercise science and wellness at Minnesota Crookston. He was named to the Dean's List in the Fall of 2019.

"Joey has the desire and passion to do well here," Gust said. "I like what he brings to the table. He is very efficient on the mound and has some impressive pitches. We will work on him getting bigger, stronger and more explosive. He will be an important piece to our staff."