CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball program announced the signing of seven prep standouts to National Letters of Intent. The Golden Eagles inked three players from North Dakota, two from Minnesota, one from Wisconsin and one from Wyoming.

Minnesota Crookston signed Phillip Champagne (UT, 5-10 180, Henderson, Minn./LeSueur-Henderson H.S.), Eric Graham (OF, 6-1 170, Casper, Wyo./Natrona County H.S.), Tyler Hegg (RHP/1B, Thompson, N.D./Thompson Public School), Trey Larimer (C/OF, Thompson, N.D./Thompson Public School), Anthony Lupa (LHP, 6-0 175, Brule, Wis./Northwestern H.S.), Alex Mushitz (2B/SS, 5-9 150, East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks H.S.) and Conner Richardson (RHP, 6-4 215, Grand Forks, N.D./Red River H.S.).

"We are ecstatic with this early signing class," said Head Coach Steve Gust. "We wanted to sign the best players in the area, and I think we signed most of them. It just goes to show you that there are players in our immediate area and in neighboring states who can help us continue to move this program forward. As a whole, this might be our best early signing group we've had here. These student-athletes are not only good ball players, but good in the classroom and have high character traits."
 
The Golden Eagles are coming off their second-straight appearance in the NSIC Tournament, an event they had not previously appeared in since 2001. Minnesota Crookston has set the program's top wins marks the last two seasons with 25 in 2016 and 24 in 2014. They look poised to build on their recent success heading into the 2018 campaign. Minnesota Crookston are set to return seven starters in the field and four starters on the mound including All-NSIC Second Team selections Zach Seipel (Jr., RHP, Eagan, Minn.) and Anthony Stewart (Sr., OF, Oak Harbor, Wash.). Stewart and Reed Hjelle (Jr., 1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.) were also NSIC Gold Glove recipients, while Stewart became the first player to win a national award by taking home ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove honors in center field.
 
The 2018 signing class helps Minnesota Crookston address immediate needs with the impending graduation of 12 seniors following the 2018 season. The Golden Eagles graduate outfielders James Cullinane, Scott Mortenson, Riley Thompson, Mitchell Bornhauser and Anthony Stewart. The signings of Graham and Larimer help to fill these voids. Minnesota Crookston also graduates middle infielders Ethan Mushitz, Jason Angelo and David Anaya. The signing of Alex Mushitz will aid Minnesota Crookston in replacing the three graduates. At catcher, Minnesota Crookston graduates starter Zach Frazier. The signings of Larimer and Champagne give the Golden Eagles help at the catcher position. On the bump, the Golden Eagles will lose Gabriel Cavasos, Jacob Butcher and Wyatt Huso. Tyler Hegg, Conner Richardson and Anthony Lupa address the graduation of the three senior pitchers.

All seven signees give the Golden Eagles versatility in their line-up and keep true to Steve Gust's vision of building the program with an emphasis on the Central Region, especially the surrounding areas of Northwest Minnesota and Northeast North Dakota. He was able to hold true to his vision by signing Mushitz from East Grand Forks, Richardson from Grand Forks, Larimer and Hegg from Thompson. He also stayed in-state with Champagne and signed a regional player with Lupa from Wisconsin. Graham from Casper, Wyo., gives the Golden Eagles a player who is slightly out of region but who helps address a major need for the program in the outfield.



Phillip Champagne (UT, 5-10 180, Henderson, Minn./LeSueur-Henderson H.S.)

Champagne was an All-Minnesota River Valley Conference pick as a sophomore and an All-Minnesota River Valley Conference Honorable Mention selection as a junior. Champagne hit .267 as a junior with one double and 11 RBI's. Champagne scored 13 runs on the season. As a sophomore, he hit .293 with 10 RBI's and four runs scored. He also competed for HTP Sports Academy.

Champagne is the son of Denice and Roger Maus. He was born June 10, 2000. His relative Weston Bizzle played baseball at Chipola College in Florida. Another relative Austin Bizzle played at Alabama State University and in the Gulf Coast League for the Minnesota Twins minor league team.

"Philip is a hard-nosed player who will do whatever it takes to succeed," Gust said. "We project him as a hitter who can play multiple positions. We were impressed with his bat at our prospect camp and will be a good utility guy for us."


 
Eric Graham (OF, 6-1 170, Casper, Wyo./Natrona County H.S.)
Graham played legion baseball for the Casper Oilers. He also has played wide receiver and defensive end for the Natrona County High School football team, helping them to a state runner-up finish. He has been an honor roll member and was a DECA state finalist.

Graham was born March 8, 2000. He plans to major in business at Minnesota Crookston. Graham's relative Amy "Luft" Graham ran track and cross country at Concordia College in Seward, Neb.

"Eric brings some speed and athleticism to our program," Gust said. "He was another one who impressed us at our prospect camp. His foot speed and potential as a hitter are exciting for our program."


 
Tyler Hegg (RHP/1B, 6-4 205, Thompson, N.D./Thompson Public School)
Hegg was a North Dakota Class B Honorable Mention selection in baseball as a junior. As a sophomore, he earned All-Region for baseball. He helped Thompson Public School to a Class B Baseball State Championship as a sophomore. In 2017, he helped his team to a North Dakota Legion State Baseball Championship. Hegg was named All-Tournament at the Great Plains National Tournament in 2017. As a junior, he hit .298 with 11 runs scored, 24 RBI's and six doubles. During his sophomore season, Hegg hit .352 with 12 runs scored, 14 RBI's and five doubles. On the mound, he was 5-0 as a junior with a 0.77 ERA with one complete game. As a sophomore, Hegg went 7-0 with a 0.88 ERA with one save. He was a high school teammate of fellow signee Trey Larimer. He also played basketball in high school.

Hegg is the son of Todd and Jeanne Hegg. He was born Aug. 11, 1999. Hegg plans to major in criminal justice and wants to work for the border patrol. Hegg enjoys hunting and fishing. He has two sisters, Samantha and Summer.

"I've followed Tyler the last two years and have been impressed with his pitching ability," Gust said. "He has been the ace at Thompson and a big reason why they've been in the high school state title games the last two years. His experience, size and pitching ability will help him succeed at this level and help us compete with the top teams in the country."


 
Trey Larimer (C/OF, Thompson, N.D./Thompson Public School)
Larimer was an All-Region selection as a junior in 2017 and was an Honorable Mention All-Region pick as a sophomore. As a freshman and eighth grader he earned the team's hardest worker award. Larimer hit .433 as a junior with nine runs scored, 15 RBI's and six doubles. As a sophomore, he hit .338 with 17 runs scored, two doubles and a home run. Larimer was the Most Valuable Wrestler in 2017 while competing for Grand Forks Red River High School. As a wrestler, he earned seventh place at 145 pounds at the North Dakota State Tournament in 2017. Larimer also competed in football, where he was an All-Region Honorable Mention pick. He was named the MVP of the defense in 2017. Larimer is a high school teammate of fellow signee Tyler Hegg.

Larimer was born March 9, 2000. He is the son of Dean and Kerri-Lynn Larimer. He plans to major in health sciences. His mother played softball at Bemidji State University. His father was a football player and wrestler at University of Jamestown. His brother Malek Larimer plays football at Minnesota State University Moorhead. His mother Kerri-Lynn was on the Canadian Juniors National Championship Team for softball in 1994. He has been on the honor roll every semester. He was a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), National Honor Society, was Class President in 2014 and 2015 and six-class president in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

"Trey is an all-around great athlete and has potential to be a great leader," Gust said. "His versatility and athleticism will help him as he competes for a role and help our program as we compete with the top teams in the NSIC."


 
Anthony Lupa (LHP, 6-0 175, Brule, Wis./Northwestern H.S.)
Lupa was 5-4 as a junior with a 1.20 ERA, 53 strikeouts and four saves. At the plate, he hit .403 with 17 runs scored, two doubles and 15 RBI's. Lupa was First Team All-Heart O' North Conference as a pitcher. He was named his team MVP during his junior season. Lupa also earned the Team Coaches Award. He competed in American Legion, where he was a 2016 All-League selection and was the Legion Team MVP. In 2017, Lupa was named to the Superior Telegram All-Area Team. He was named Co-MVP of the Northwestern University Prospect Championship in 2017.

He is the son of Troy and Ruth Lupa. Lupa was born Aug. 22, 2000. He is undecided on his major. Lupa's sister Aleia Lupa plays basketball at Central Lakes College.

"Anthony is one of my favorite student-athletes that I have ever recruited," Gust said. "He has been coming to our camps for the last few years, giving us a chance to see his vast improvement. He is such a good kid with great ability. With his attitude and work ethic, Anthony will find a way to help elevate this program to another level."


 
Alex Mushitz (2B/SS, 5-9 150, East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks H.S.)
Mushitz follows his brother Ethan Mushitz, who is currently a senior on the Minnesota Crookston baseball roster and who has been a four-year starter for the Golden Eagles. He joins an East Grand Forks pipeline to Minnesota Crookston that includes Ethan Mushitz, Reed Hjelle, Clarke Peterson and Scott Mortenson. Mushitz played short stop for East Grand Forks High School and for East Grand Forks Post 157 for American Legion.

Mushitz is the son of Elaine Brustad and Bob Mushitz.

"Alex is a lot like his older brother – he is talented, a good teammate, hard worker and very loyal. He's our type of student-athlete. We believe Alex can develop and put up similar numbers to his brother as a middle infielder and hitter."


 
Conner Richardson (RHP, 6-4 215, Grand Forks, N.D./Red River H.S.)
Richardson played baseball and basketball for Red River High School. He competed with his team in the 2012 Cal Ripken World Series and in the 2013 Babe Ruth World Series. Richardson plays American Legion baseball for the Grand Forks Royals.


Richardson is the son of Melanie and Roy Richardson. He plans to major in sports and rec management. Richardson was born April 19, 2000.


"After watching Conner as a junior at Red River and building a relationship with him at our prospect camp, he moved up our recruiting list in a hurry," Gust said. "He has good stuff now, but with his size, desire and ability, we believe he is only going to get better. It wouldn't surprise me to see him compete for a starting spot from day one."
 
All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to release of information.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

The University of Minnesota Crookston is a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.
 
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