Omaha, Neb. — Creighton Baseball head coach Ed Servais announced the addition of seven new recruits for the 2020 season during the fall signing period. Joining the Bluejays next fall will be Kaleb Carpenter (Lexington, Neb.), Nolan Clifford (Naperville, Ill.), Jack Erickson (Hudson, Wis.), Hudson Leach (Gladstone, Mo.), Cade Lommel (Delano, Minn.), Ryan Manikowski (New Lenox, Ill.) and Colton Smith (Bennington, Neb.)

The Bluejays’ 2020 recruiting class was rated as one of the top-50 in the nation by College Baseball Newspaper and Baseball America.

Carpenter
A 6’2 left-handed pitcher, Carpenter comes to Creighton with three plus pitches (fastball, curve and change). His fastball tops out in the upper 80s. Carpenter played for Nebraska Prospects during the summer and was an All-Tournament Team selection for Perfect Game’s World Wood Bat Championship during the summer of 2019. Carpenter was rated as the top southpaw recruit in Nebraska by Perfect Game and Prep Baseball (Creighton Baseball)

Clifford

Clifford is a two-way player coming to Creighton from the Chicagoland area, he projects as a middle infielder and could see time on the mound as well. He played summer baseball for the Naperville Renegades. On the mound, Clifford brings a three-pitch arsenal (fastball, curve and change), at the dish he features gap-to-gap power.

“I have always been impressed with Nolan’s ability to defend and his bat has certainly improved over the last year,” said Servais. “He fits the qualities of many of the previous infielders that we have had at Creighton.”

Erickson
Standing 6’0, Erickson is an excellent defender with good speed and power at the plate. Erickson is a three-time All-Tournament Team selection for Perfect Game’s World Wood Bat Championship, earning the accolade at three different locations during 2019. Jack played summer ball for the Minnesota Blizzard.

“Jack is a very athletic infielder,” noted Servais. “He has the chance to play multiple positions and could help us in a variety of ways.”

Leach
Coming to Creighton from Missouri, Leach is both a catcher and a pitcher that has the ability to contribute in both roles at the collegiate level. Standing 6’2, Leach has an athletic, powerful build. He brings a four-pitch arsenal to Creighton (fastball, curve, slider and change), highlighted by a wipeout slider and above-average sink on his fastball. Leach played summer ball for the Kansas City Royals Scout team.

“Hudson is a dual-position player with the arm strength to be a very good pitcher at the collegiate level,” said Servais. “His physicality allows him to contribute at the plate as well as behind the plate.”

Lommel
A 6’2 southpaw from Minnesota, Lommel uses a three-quarter arm slot to offer three-plus pitches (fastball, curve and change). Lommel ranks as the top left-handed pitcher in Minnesota (Perfect Game). Cade played summer ball for the Mariners Midwest scout team.

“Cade is a good size left-handed pitcher, that has the chance to make an impact early,” said Servais.

Smith
Smith led Bennington HS to a Nebraska State Championship in 2019, with a strong performance in the tournament overall. He is among the top-five pitchers in Nebraska, per Prep Baseball and Creighton Baseball Report and Perfect Game. He brings three-pitches to the Bluejays (fastball, slider and change), with his fastball approaching 90 MPH. Smith played summer ball with Nebraska Prospects, teaming with future Bluejay Kaleb Carpenter.

“A very athletic player that can get up to the high 80s, Smith has a chance to make an impact early in his career,” said Servais.

“We are anxious to have this class on campus and are ready to start working with them,” concluded Servais. “This group fits the mould that we looked for in physicality and athleticism and each could contribute early in their Bluejay career.”