Aug. 23, 2010
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
Orlando, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A total of six Major League Baseball Draft Picks highlight the 2010-11 UCF baseball recruiting class which was released Monday by head coach Terry Rooney. Of the 11 players slated to join the Knights, eight are pitchers including four southpaws.
"I am extremely pleased with this recruiting class," said Rooney, who is entering his third year with the Knights. "Our recruiting coordinator Cliff Godwin, along with assistant coach Jeff Palumbo and our entire support staff did a tremendous job in landing one of the top classes in the nation.
"I think the level of talent in this class is clearly demonstrated by having six of the 11 players chosen in the MLB Draft. The main emphasis of this class was to create additional pitching depth on the mound, along with securing multi-skilled position players. This class will enable us to continue moving back to the upper echelon of college baseball."
This year's class consists of seven players from the state of Florida and two who call the Central Florida-area home in freshman left-handed pitcher Trevor Berry (Oviedo High School) and junior right-hander Matt Collins (DeLand High School). The Knights also welcome two student-athletes from California and one each from Illinois and Washington.
Meanwhile, freshman right-hander Ben Lively (Gulf Breeze, Fla.), freshman infielder Spencer Haynes (Valrico, Fla.), junior right-hander Danny Winkler (Effingham, Ill.) and junior right-hander Ray Hanson (Long Beach, Calif.) were all selected in the 2010 MLB Draft. Junior southpaw Chris Matulis (Lake Worth, Fla.) was taken in the MLB Draft in 2008 and fellow junior lefty Mark Peterson (Fort Pierce, Fla.) was selected in 2007.
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Class B/T Hometown (High School/College)Trevor Berry LHP 6-3 190 Fr. L/L Oviedo, Fla. (Oviedo)Matt Collins RHP 6-5 210 Jr. R/R DeLand, Fla. (DeLand/Daytona State College)Jeff Dally LHP 6-6 210 Fr. L/L Hernando, Fla. (Citrus)Ray Hanson RHP 6-7 230 Jr. R/R Long Beach, Calif. (Wilson/ASU/Cypress College)Spencer Haynes IF 6-0 165 Fr. R/R Valrico, Fla. (Brandon)Erik Hempe UTIL 6-2 185 Jr. R/R Anaheim, Calif. (Katella/Cypress College)Ben Lively RHP 6-4 195 Fr. R/R Gulf Breeze, Fla. (Gulf Breeze)Chris Matulis LHP 6-6 215 Jr. L/L Boynton Beach, Fla. (Park Vista/LSU)Mark Peterson LHP 6-5 185 Jr. R/L Fort Pierce, Fla. (Lincoln Park Academy/FSU/Indian River S.C.)Travis Shreve IF 5-10 170 Jr. R/R Auburn, Wash. (Auburn/Skagit Valley College)Danny Winkler RHP 6-3 190 Jr. R/R Effingham, Ill. (St. Anthony/Parkland College)="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/pre%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Chr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbig%3ETrevor%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Berry%3C/big%3E%3C/strong%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cem%3EFr.%20-%20LHP%20-%206-3,%20190%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Oviedo,%20Fla.%20(Oviedo)%3C/em%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAthletic%20Accomplishments%3C/strong%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Perfect%20Game%20Underclass%20Honorable%20Mention%20All-American%20in%202009%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Perfect%20Game%20Academic%20Top%20Prospect%20for%202008%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Prospectwire%20top%20100%20for%20the%20state%20of%20Florida%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Played%20for%20coach%20Eric%20Morgan%20at%20Oviedo%20High%20School,%20earning%20four%20letters%20as%20a%20pitcher,%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20first%20baseman%20and%20outfielder%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Was%20the%20OHS%20Pitcher%20of%20the%20Year%20when%20he%20posted%20a%207-0%20record%20on%20the%20mound%20as%20a%20junior,%20and%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20also%20hit%20.328%20at%20the%20plate%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Helped%20guide%20Oviedo%20to%20the%202008%20district%20title%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Went%20a%20combined%205-1%20in%20his%20first%20two%20seasons%20at%20Oviedo%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Also%20lettered%20three%20years%20on%20the%20football%20team%20at%20wide%20receiver%20and%20as%20a%20defensive%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20back%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-A%202008%20First%20Team%20All-Seminole%20County%20wide%20receiver%20with%2055%20receptions,%20935%20yards%20and%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20seven%20touchdowns%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Rated%20No.%2053%20in%20the%20Orlando%20Sentinel's%20top-100%20football%20players%20in%20Central%20Florida,%20and%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20No.%2019%20among%20wide%20receivers%20in%20the%20state%20of%20Florida%3C/p%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPersonal%3C/strong%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Born%20Aug.%205,%201991,%20in%20South%20Bend,%20Ind.%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Son%20of%20Joe%20and%20Jackie%20Berry%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Has%20one%20brother,%20Taylor,%20who%20is%20a%20member%20of%20the%20Elon%20University%20football%20team%3C/p%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Chr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbig%3E%3Ca%20href="/roster.aspx?rp_id=171" class="imported_story_link" oldlink="/sports/m-basebl/mtt/collins_matt00.html">Matt Collins
Jr. - RHP - 6-5, 210
DeLand, Fla. (DeLand/Daytona State College)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Spent the summer of 2010 with the Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League
-Played for coach Tim Touma at Daytona State College, posting a 4.33 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 43.2 innings in 2010
-Pitched for DeLand High School and head coach Ric Sperling
-Notched a 6-1 record with a 1.89 ERA as a senior, issuing just two walks in 37 innings of work
-Went 4-1 with a 1.81 ERA during his sophomore year, and hit .335 with 25 RBI as a junior
-Helped guide DeLand to a runner-up finish in the 2007 6A state tournament, and the final four in 2006
-Part of three-straight AAU national championship squads from 1998-00
Personal
-Born Jan. 13, 1989, in DeLand, Fla.
-Son of Michael and Kim Collins
-Has one brother, Kevin, and one sister, Courtney
Jeff Dally
Fr. - LHP - 6-6, 210
Hernando, Fla. (Citrus)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Perfect Game/Rawlings 2010 All-Region Preseason Second Team honoree
-Pitched at the Perfect Game 2008 National Underclass Main Event
-Lettered four years on the mound and at first base for coach Jon Bolin at Citrus High School
-Recorded a 1.50 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 36 innings as a senior
-Played travel ball for the Orlando Scorpions
Personal
-Born Feb. 18, 1992, in Hollywood, Fla.
-Son of Jeff and Donna Dally
-Father played at the pro level with the Hallandale Dodgers
-Has one sister, Jessica
Ray Hanson
Jr. - RHP - 6-7, 230
Long Beach, Calif. (Wilson/Arizona State/Cypress College)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 47th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants
-Ranked No. 172 nationally and No. 30 in the state of California by Perfect Game in 2008
-Finished JUCO career with the third-highest wins in Cypress College history, playing under head coach Scott Pickler
-Elected to the Cypress College Baseball Hall of Fame
-Selected to the All-Orange Empire Conference Second Team with a 6-3 record and 68 strikeouts in 2010
-Team MVP as a freshman after going 11-1 with a 3.74 ERA, sitting down 65 on strikes in 77 innings
-Named to the All-Orange Empire Conference First Team in 2009
-2009 ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Team
-Signed with Arizona State out of high school
-Played for coach Andy Hall at Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif.
-Went 18-2 during his career, posting a 0.73 ERA in his final season
-2008 Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American
-Helped lead Wilson to the California Interscholastic Federation finals as a senior
-Wilson claimed the CIF and Baseball America national championship titles during Hanson's junior year
-Named the team's pitcher of the year in 2006
-Won the 2007 World Wood Bat National Championship with the Braves Scout Team, and the 2007 Connie Mack World Series title with the Midland Redskins (Ohio)
-A 2007 Team USA Junior National Team alternate
Personal
-Born Feb. 27, 1990, in Los Alamitos, Calif.
-Son of Robert and Stephanie Hanson
-Has one brother, Richard
Spencer Haynes
Fr. - IF - 6-0, 165
Valrico, Fla. (Brandon)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 43round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics
-Three-year varsity captain for coach Matt Stallbaumer at Brandon High School
-Named the BHS Defensive Player of the Year at shortstop his final three seasons
-Selected to the 2010 All-Western Conference First Team after going .309 at the plate with 16 RBI, 34 runs, 10 stolen bases, six doubles and a pair of homers
-Earned a spot on the conference's first team in 2009 with a .358 average, 25 RBI, 36 runs, 17 steals and two home runs
-An all-county honoree as a sophomore, notching a .283 average, 19 RBI, 14 runs and three homers
-Helped guide Brandon to the 2008 FHSAA 5A Final Four after claiming district and regional titles
-Led BHS to the 2008 Saladino Tournament title
-Played shortstop for Chet Lemon's Juice travel squad in 2009
-Helped the Bullets Baseball club to the 2007 and 2009 IBC World Series championships
-Named to the 2007, 2008 and 2009 IBC World Series All-Tournament Team
Personal
-Born March 15, 1992, in Tampa, Fla.
-Son of Bart and Catrina Haynes
-Has one sister, Rayanne
Erik Hempe
Jr. - UTIL - 6-2, 185
Anaheim, Calif. (Katella/Cypress College)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Spent two seasons with Cypress College and head coach Scott Pickler
-A first team all-California and a second-team all-conference selection after hitting .357 with 15 homers and 51 RBI in 2010
-Posted a .301 average with three dingers and nine doubles as a freshman at Cypress
-Competed for Katella High School and coaches Carlos Ayala and Jimmy Valverde
-Earned the Empire Conference Offensive Player of the Year award his final two years at Katella
-Finished senior year with a .386 mark at the plate, banging out 14 doubles and four triples
-Played in the 2008 California North/South All-Star Game
-Hit .421 with 12 doubles and six triples while collecting five saves as a junior
-Before hitting .301 as a sophomore, helped Katella to the California Interscholastic Federation title during his freshman year where he went .333 at the plate as well as holding a 1.75 ERA
-Played football for three seasons, amassing at least 25 tackles each year
Personal
-Born May 14, 1989, in Santa Ana, Calif.
-Son of Kurt and Kim Hempe
-Has one sister, Jenna
Ben Lively
Fr. - RHP - 6-4, 195
Gulf Breeze, Fla. (Gulf Breeze)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 26th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians
-Ranked No. 235 nationally and No. 38 in the state of Florida by Perfect Game in 2010
-Played for coach Randy Renfroe and Gulf Breeze High School, lettering three years on the mound and at third base
-Helped Gulf Breeze to the Class 4A regional each of his last two years
-Tossed over 143 innings during his high school career, posting a 14-4 record with eight saves and a 1.41 ERA
-Struck out 182 and walked just 48 at the varsity level
-Competed in the 2010 Pensacola Sports Association All-Star Game
-Suited up for the Florida Bombers from 2009-10, guiding the team to the World Wood Bat title in Atlanta in 2010
-Tossed a no-hitter in 2008 for the Dynamic Elite travel squad
-Also lettered in football (quarterback, wide receiver) and basketball (forward)
Personal
-Born March 5, 1992, in Pensacola, Fla.
-Son of Robert and Ginny Lively
-Has one sister, Emily
Chris Matulis
Jr. - LHP - 6-6, 215
Boynton Beach, Fla. (Park Vista/LSU)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 47th round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays
-Will sit out the 2011 season with the Knights due to the NCAA's Division I transfer rule
-Ranked No. 350 nationally and No. 51 in the state of Florida by Perfect Game in 2008
-In two years at LSU, combined to go 11-5 in 25 games including 15 starts
-Made eight starts and 12 appearances in 2010, going 5-3 with a 5.33 ERA, striking out 36 in 54.0 innings
-Completed his freshman year with a 6-2 record, the third-highest wins on the staff
-Saw time in 13 games with seven starts in 2009 for the national-champion Tigers, boasting a 4.82 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 46.2 innings
-Pitched for coach Larry Greenstein at Park Vista High School
-2008 Max Preps First Team All-American
-2008 South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post Player of the Year
-A first-team all-state and first-conference honoree in 2008
-Went 10-0 with a 0.41 ERA in 67.2 innings as a senior, amassing seven shutouts
-Struck out 96 with 28 walks in 2008, and held opponents to a .140 batting average
-Finished junior year with a 3-2 record and a 1.29 ERA, went 6-2 with a 2.25 ERA as a sophomore and had a 1.09 ERA with three saves as a freshman
Personal
-Born April 9, 1990, in Plantation, Fla.
-Son of Michael and Judy Matulis
-Has three brothers, Stephen, Michael and Matt
Mark Peterson
Jr. - LHP - 6-5, 185
Fort Pierce, Fla. (Lincoln Park Academy/Florida State/Indian River S.C.)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 50th round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays
-Ranked No. 227 nationally and No. 41 in the state of Florida by Perfect Game in 2007
-Spent 2010 with Indian River State College, playing for coaches Bob O'Brien and Mitch Markham
-Worked 56.0 innings, striking out 46 and posting a 6.11 ERA in 2010
-Member of head coach Mike Martin's Florida State teams in 2008 and 2009
-Made 17 relief appearances in 2009, going 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA, striking out 15 in 18.2 innings of work
-Named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll both years at Florida State
-Earned four letters playing for coach Chuck Stewart at Lincoln Park Academy, serving as a pitcher, first baseman and outfielder
-Went 3-1 with a 0.82 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 34.1 innings as a senior
-Named to the class 4A all-state third team thanks to setting the high school strikeout record with 116 as a junior
-During that season, went 6-3 with a 1.19 ERA, hurling 64.2 innings
-Participated in the 2007 Florida Diamond Club Baseball Showcase
-Member of the All-American Prospects Team in 2005 and 2006, which claimed the World Wood Bat Tournament titles
-Attended the Tournament of Stars in Joplin, Mo., and also competed in the Cape Cod High School Classic in Massachusetts in 2006
Personal
-Born Oct. 5, 1988, in Vero Beach, Fla.
-Son of Gary and Judy Peterson
-Has three brothers, Robert, Richard and Michael
Travis Shreve
Jr. - IF - 5-10, 170
Auburn, Wash. (Auburn/Skagit Valley)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Spent the past two seasons playing for coach Kevin Matthews at Skagit Valley College
-Selected to the NWAACC Northern Division First Team and the All-Academic Team as a sophomore
-Also was a Gold Glove recipient in 2010
-Named the Washington State Baseball Coaches Association All-State First Team shortstop in 2008
-A NWAACC Northern Division Second Team honoree as a freshman
-Played for coaches Tim Kuykendall and Gordon Elliott at Auburn High School
-An All-South Puget Sound League First Team selection and a Tacoma News All-Area First Team pick as a senior
Personal
-Born Nov. 8, 1989, in Auburn, Wash.
-Son of Terry and Bonnie Shreve
-Has one sister, Michelle
Danny Winkler
Jr. - RHP - 6-3, 190
Effingham, Ill. (St. Anthony/Parkland College)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 43rd round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs
-Helped guide Parkland College, coached by Matt Kennedy, to the NJCAA national title as a freshman where the team went 49-9
-Parkland took fifth place with a 50-11 final record during his sophomore season
-Named all-region and a first-team all-conference member in 2010 after leading Parkland with 81 innings and 81 strikeouts in 2010, going 9-4 with a 3.11 ERA
-As a freshman, went 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA, sitting down 26 on strikes in 20.0 innings on the hill
-Earned four letters as a pitcher and outfielder for coach Joey Ohnesorge at St. Anthony High School
-Hurled a no-hitter and three shutouts as a senior, going 6-1 with a 0.90 ERA, striking out 89 in 46 innings
-Selected the conference's MVP in 2008
-Totaled 58 strikeouts in 44 innings as a junior, and 33 strikeouts in 29 innings of work as a sophomore
-Also lettered twice in basketball
Personal
-Born Feb. 2, 1990, in Effingham, Ill.
-Son of David and Brenda Winkler
-Has one sister, Kristen