Baseball | 11/18/2023 11:37:00 AM

Utah Tech head baseball coach Chris Pfatenhauer has announced the signing of six players to National Letters of Intent to play for the Trailblazers in 2025 during November's early signing period. 
 
The early signing class features five high school position players, two of which also pitch, and one junior college pitcher. 
 
"We are very excited about this signing class," Coach Pfatenhauer said. "Our staff, (associate head coach) Bobby Rinard, (assistant coach) Braxton Ipson and (pitching coach) Daniel Stange, did a great job of identifying front line athletes who fit into the Trailblazer Baseball Family,
 
"We couldn't be more excited to have four two-sport athletes in this group as well," Pfatenhauer note. "Also, adding three in-state players and one local player is a credit to our staff and the impact our program has in Utah in just three years as a division one. The future is bright for the Trailblazers and these guys will be a huge part of that future."
 
Talan Kelly | INF/RHP | Santa Clara, Utah | Snow Canyon High School

• No. 1-ranked third baseman in Utah by Prep Baseball Report.
• No. 20-ranked player in the Utah class of 2024 by Prep Baseball Report.
• Pitched in the state championship for Snow Canyon HS in 2023.
• In 2023, posted a 2-1 record with 56 strikeouts in 35.1 innings pitched. 
• Was also a standout on the gridiron for the Warriors, ranking No. 13 in the state for total yards at quarterback.

Pfatenhauer on Kelly – "Talan is an explosive athlete that really competes. We are thrilled to have a local two-way star such as Talon. He will make a huge impact in more ways than one. Talan plays for SCHS head coach Reed Secrist, who is a Dixie College baseball alumnus."
 
Grady Daniels | 1B | Nampa, Idaho | Skyview High School

• Named 2023 Idaho 4A SIC Player of the Year. 
• Slashed .303/.575/.839 in 2023 with 16 doubles, four triples, two home runs, and 41 RBI.
• Was named to the MaxPreps National Team of the Week (April 3-10).
• Will become a 4-year letter winner in baseball this spring for Skyview HS.
• Earned All-Conference honors in 2021.

Pfatenhauer on Daniels – "Grady adds some thump and projects as a middle of the line-up guy. He is slick around the bag and may save as many runs as he drives in. He has a chance to be a mainstay at first base for us."
 
Finnegan Stewart | OF | Anaheim Hills, California | Orange Lutheran High School

• No. 16-ranked outfielder in California by Prep Baseball Report.
• Represented the Southwest region in the 2021 USA NTIS.
• Member of the National Honor Society.
• Finnegan has also accumulated 50+ philanthropy hours each year of high school with the National League of Young Men.

Pfatenhauer on Stewart – "Finn brings a wealth of playing experience to the Trailblazer Family. He has played in the most competitive high school baseball conference in the United States and for an elite coach in Eric Borba. Finn compares to Jake Engel, a former Trailblazer All-American."
 
Derek Render | INF/RHP | Henderson, Nevada | Boulder City High School

• Named 1^st Team All-Division as a pitcher and Most Valuable Pitcher in 2023.
• Posted a 1.79 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 47 innings in 2023.
• Also hit .407 as a junior and earned 1^st Team All-Region honors as an infielder.
• Was named 1^st Team All-Division and All-Region as an infielder after hitting .387 in 2022.
• Pitched to a 2.71 ERA in 2022 with 17 strikeouts in 10 innings of work. 
• No. 8-ranked shortstop in Nevada by Prep Baseball Report. 

Pfatenhauer on Render – "Derek has an electric arm and a good breaking ball to go with it. The fact that he is also a football player adds to our level of excitement. Render is a super competitive and explosive athlete, and we are thrilled he is a Trailblazer."
 
Will Dart | INF | Spanish Fork, Utah | Spanish Fork High School 

• Will earn four letters in baseball at Spanish Fork HS.
• Earned 2^nd Team All-State honors in 2022 and 2023,
• Won the 2021 5A State Championship with the Dons, prepping for Casey Nelson.
• Three-time All-Region selection.
• Named SPHS Male Athlete of the Year as a sophomore and junior.
• In addition to Will's success on the baseball field, he has earned Honor Roll all four years of high school.  

Pfatenhauer on Dart – "Another tremendous athlete joining the Trailblazer Baseball Family. Will is a two-sport guy with an uber-competitive side to him. Will profiles as a guy that can play multiple positions and has a chance to be a longtime contributor in our program." 
 
Ethan Gardner | RHP | Meridian, Idaho | College of Southern Idaho 

• In the summer league season of 2023, pitched 20.1 innings with a 2.25 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and a .170 opponent batting average.
• Named to the All-Academic Team as a sophomore and junior at Borah HS.
• Named to the 5A SIC 1^st Team and earned 5A 1^st Team All-State honors in 2022.
• Currently plays for Boomer Walker and Nick Aiello at the College of Southern Idaho.

Pfatenhauer on Gardner – "Keeping it in the family, we are thrilled to add current Trailblazer pitcher, Dylan Gardner's brother, Ethan. Ethan has a plus arm and an effective slider. He possesses a presence about him on the mound that excites me. Ethan has a chance to be a front-line guy and toe the rubber for a lot of big games in a Trailblazer uniform."