NEWCOMERS ACADEMICS. COMMUNITY. OMAHA.
Keaton Hernandez Junior RHP Palm Springs, Calif.
Thomas McIlraith Junior RHP Amarillo, Texas Tascosa/Midland Coll. 6-4/200 B/T: R/R
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Desert Chapel/NE Oklahoma
6-0/220
B/T: R/R
Before OU: Began collegiate career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in 2013… named NJCAA Division I All-American and Region 2 MVP… spent 2014 at Weatherford Junior College… posted a 5.47 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 52.2 innings of work. High School: Did not play high school baseball… four-year football letterman at Desert Chapel High School… named Division 2 Christian Schools National Quarterback of the Year in 2008. Personal: Keaton Hernandez. Born: September 10, 1992. Parents: Cathy Santucci and Rob Hernandez. Siblings: Ashley, Landon, and Damion. Major: Administrative leadership.
Shawn Hunter Junior LHP Fort Supply Okla.
Before OU: Played two seasons at Midland College under Coach David Coleman… compiled a 4.76 ERA with a 7-3 record in his 2014 campaign with 66 innings pitched and 61 strikeouts… totaled 147 strikeouts in 143 career innings. High School: Totaled three letters at Tascosa High School under Coach Jason Patrick… honored as All-Conference Second Team as a junior at pitcher and as a senior at third base. Personal: Thomas James McIlraith. Born: February 17, 1994. Parents: Becky and Jay McIlraith. Siblings: Mary Catherine. Major: Administrative Leadership. Sister plays volleyball at Colorado Christian and mother played volleyball at Texas Tech.
Kyle Mendenhall Freshman Infield Carlsbad, Calif. Carlsbad 6-1/172 B/T: R/R
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Woodward/NOC-Enid/Seminole
5-11/170 B/T: L/L
5
Before OU: Played 2014 season at Seminole State College… All- Conference selection and selected to the Conference All- Tournament team… previously played at Northern Oklahoma College – Enid in 2012 and redshirted at Oklahoma State in 2013.
High School: Lettered four times in baseball under Coach Jonathan Montgomery at Carlsbad High School… First Team All-League and Team MVP as a senior... totaled 107 hits in his career, including a single-season record 38... helped team to 2013 league championship... selected to USA Baseball NTIS SoCal Team.
High School: Four-year letterwinner at Woodward High School under coach Roscoe Gunther… selected to the Oklahoma All-State team his senior year of high school… Valedictorian of his senior class in 2011.
Personal: Kyle Matthew Mendenhall. Born: April 10, 1996. Parents: Jennifer and James Mendenhall. Siblings: Chris and Michael. Major: Business.
Personal: Shawn Ray Hunter. Born: February 8, 1993. Parents: Mindy and Karl Hunter. Siblings: John and Shelby. Major: Business Management.
Jacob Leal Sophomore Catcher Grapevine, Texas Grapevine 5-7/180 B/T: R/R
Chad Nelson RS-Sophomore RHP Edmond, Okla.
37
Before OU: Played one season at Howard College under Coach Britt Smith in 2014. High School: Four-year letterwinner at Grapevine High School under Coach Tim McCure… selected to the All-District team as a junior and a senior… hit .347 over his career... helped team to back-to-back District Championships in 2012 and 2013. Personal: Jacob Leal. Born: October 3, 1994. Parents: Tracy and Leon Leal. Siblings: Joshua and Joseph. Major: Communications. Father wrestled at the University of Oklahoma.
42 | 2015 University of Oklahoma Baseball • SoonerSports.com
38
OKC University/Heritag Hall
5-11/190 B/T: R/R 2014: Redshirted.
Before OU: Pitched in eight games at Oklahoma City University in 2013… struck out 13 hitters in 13.1 innings of work, while owning a 4.05 earned run average… honored as a Chesapeake Presidential Scholar. High School: Totaled four letters at Heritage Hall under head coach Pat Wasson… Oklahoman All-State selection in 2012, following All-State Honorable Mention in 2011… Little All-City Second Team in 2012 and Honorable Mention in 2011… went 8-2 with a 2.20 ERA as a senior. Personal: Chad Nelson. Born: December 28, 1993. Parents: Dawna and Robert. Siblings: Katie and Liz. Father played football at East Central University. Major: Economics.