TUSCON, Ariz. – Lamar University's baseball team continued its storied recruiting tradition last week when Collegiate Baseball News released its 2019 recruit rankings. The incoming Cardinal class received a Top 100 national ranking for the third time in head coach Will Davis's three years with the program.
 
The incoming class features 10 student-athletes, mostly hailing from Texas but with an Arizonan, a Canadian, a Puerto Rican, and a Venezuelan in the mix. The position breakdown of the 2018 class consists of four pitchers (two Southpaws and two right-handers), three infielders, a catcher, and two outfielders.
 
"We are very excited about this class," said Davis. "Sean Snedeker and Scott Hatten worked very hard to make this class a reality. We think that this really solidifies our team going into the 2019 season."
 
Davis and his staff continue to lock up the top talent in southeast Texas. Six of the 10 signees are from the area including Jasper's Reese Durand, Schertz's Tyler Smith, Splendora's Dylan Johnson, Port Neches' Josh Hranicky, Magnolia's Luke Baley, and Missouri City's Jared Mack. Mack is rated as the 51st best player in the state, and Hranicky is the 19th best leftie. Johnson led the state of Texas in strikeouts by a high school pitcher, and Durand and Smith are both Top 300 players.
 
Lamar's four non-Texans are also notable. Jorge Gutierrez, who is from Venezuela, played at Texas A&M for a season, appearing in 37 games, including 22 starts, at catcher. Looking for other opportunities, Gutierrez then transferred to Alvin Community College, where he hit .295 / .614 / .391 in 42 games as a Dolphin with 39 hits, including 11 homers. For more information about Gutierrez, click here.
 
JC Correa, the younger brother of Houston Astro phenom Carlos Correa, is from Puerto Rico. He played with Gutierrez at Alvin CC in 2017 and 2018 with a .364 / .432 / .491 line in 80 career games. He had 103 total hits for the Dolphins including three home runs and 59 RBIs. Correa's full release is located here.
 
Anthony Quirion, transferring in from Clarendon College, is originally from Dixville, Quebec, Canada. He hit .398 in his two-year Clarendon career with 35 doubles, nine triples, 21 home runs, 100 RBI, 127 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases.
 
Matt McDonald comes to Big Red from Glendale Community College where he spent two seasons hitting .315 with 84 career hits that included 13 doubles, three triples, and four home runs. McDonald had 40 RBIs in his career and scored 43 runs while stealing 11 bases. McDonald is originally from Phoenix, Ariz.
 
Only 109 of the 297 NCAA Division I baseball programs received a top recruiting class ranking from Collegiate Baseball News, with Lamar and Sam Houston State representing the Southland Conference. Other schools ranked that Lamar will play in the 2019 season include LSU (#1), Texas (#15), Texas A&M (#29), TCU (#31), Baylor (RV), Gonzaga (RV), Rice (RV), Central Michigan (RV), Houston (RV), Brigham Young (RV), and Tulane (RV).
 
The 2019 baseball season begins on Feb. 15 with the first of a three-game series against LIU-Brooklyn.