ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Lewis University head baseball coach Mike Vucsko announced the addition of 18 student-athletes for the 2024-2025 season. This recruiting class includes ten freshmen and eight transfers. 
 
"I would like to thank coach (Jake) Lotz and Coach (Zach) Teegen for their efforts they put into this recruiting class," Vucsko said. "Both worked extremely hard identifying high character student athletes. We accomplished our goal of bringing in a nice mix of high school and transfer student athletes. This is a loaded class. We are excited to get going in a little less than a month." 
 
Zach Beecham (Frankfort, Ill.)
Previous School: Lincoln Way East HS
Position: C
Beecham, an aviation major, had his senior season cut short due to an injury. However, he still managed a .317 average, collecting 14 RBI on 18 hits while playing strong defense behind the plate.
 
"Zach comes from a good family and is a hard worker. He plays the game the right way, which is what caught our attention. Zach comes from a winning program, which will greatly help his transition to college baseball." Vucsko said.
 
Anthony Cantelo (Blue Island, Ill.)
Previous School: St. Rita of Cascia HS
Position: RHP
Cantelo missed the first half of his senior year due to injury, but he had a strong finish to his high school career. He helped St. Rita capture a Regional Championship. Cantelo had seven appearances, throwing 10.2 innings. He recorded a 3-0 record in four starts, collecting an ERA of 1.31. 
 
"Tony is a big body kid who is still growing and is very projectable. When he fully settles into his body, the sky's the limit for him. We are excited to see his growth over the next couple of months," Vucsko said.
 
Chris Daugherty (Chicago, Ill.)
Previous School: Brother Rice HS
Position: OF
Daugherty helped Br. Rice secure a Regional Championship in 2024 and a State runner-up in 2023. Out of the leadoff spot, he collected 40 hits along with 18 RBI and 21 walks. 
 
"Chris comes from a baseball family and played in one of the best conferences in Illinois. He has good bat-to-ball skills and should be able to come in and contribute early in his career," Vucsko said.
 
Ethan Ganz (Homer Glenn, Ill.)
Previous School: Providence Catholic HS
Position: RHP
Ganz was dominant on the mound last spring for Providence, helping his team win the IHSA State Championship. He went 4-0 on the year, throwing 25 innings and only allowing 2 earned runs. Ganz collected an ERA of .56 with 18 strikeouts, while opponents had a batting average of .151 against him.
 
"Ethan had a tremendous senior season on the bump. He does a good job mixing his pitches, holding runners, and most importantly, throwing strikes. He played in a good high school conference against strong competition that should accelerate his growth," Vucsko said.
 
Andrew Good (South Elgin, Ill.)
Previous School: St. Charles North HS
Position: RHP
Good, an aviation major, had a great senior season last year on the mound. He went 5-1 on the year with five starts and one save. He threw 28 innings, including a highlight performance throwing a no-hitter against Geneva. 
 
"Andrew had a strong career at St. Charles North. His pitch ability has the opportunity to impact our success over the next four years," Lotz said. 
 
Tanner Johnson (Kenosha, Wis.)
Previous School: Indian Trail HS/ Triton College
Position: RHP
Johnson had a great freshman year at Triton College, earning him a spot on the All-Region team. He threw 60 innings in his 10 starts, finishing with an ERA of 3.45 along with 48 strikeouts.
 
"Tanner is a long-levered athletic righty who can get swings and misses with three pitches. I am excited to get to work with him." Lotz said. 
 
Jackson Kottmeyer (Aurora, Ill.)
Previous School: Kaneland HS
Position: RHP
In his senior season, Kottmeyer racked up both First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Area. He threw 49.2 innings and earned a 6-2 record on the mound. He posted a 2.68 era with 54 strikeouts.
 
"Jackson was someone we identified early in the recruiting process. He has made a big jump last season and can run the fastball into the upper 80's with room to grow. We are really excited to watch him grow over the next few years," Vucsko said. 
 
Cole Nelson (St. Charles, Ill.)
Previous School: Lenoir Rhyne
Position: INF
Nelson, a local product, played in 36 games last spring for Lenoir Rhyne and 38 in 2023. 

He played all over the diamond helping the Bears to two 30 win seasons during his time there. Nelson excelled in the field, committing only three errors while driving in 15 runs at the plate.
 
"Cole brings a lot to the table. He brings versatility, experience, and is someone who just loves to play. He played in a good DII conference last year and had success. He should have an immediate impact for us," Vucsko said. 
 
Ethan Patera (Downers Grove, Ill)
Previous School: Louisville/ Jacksonville St.
Position: RHP
Patera, a Downers Grove South graduate, was the West Suburban Conference Pitcher of the Year and had a career ERA of 1.50.
 
"Ethan will be sidelined this year, but when he gets back healthy, I believe we have someone who can be a dominant weekend starter for us," Vucsko said. 
 
Blake Phommachanhom (Plainfield Ill.)
Previous School: Plainfield South HS
Position: INF
Phommachanhom put together a great high school campaign for the Cougars in his tenure. He was two-time All-Conference, two-time team MVP and received First Team All-State in his senior year.

Phommachanhom finished his senior season batting .442 with 19 doubles and 37 runs scored. 
 
"Blake had a tremendous last calendar year at the plate and in the field. He presents five tools and is just scratching the surface at what he can be," Vucsko said. 
 
Tylor Phommachanhom (Plainfield, Ill.)
Previous School: Parkland College
Position: INF
Last spring at Parkland, Phommachanhom was awarded the MWAC Rawlings Gold Glove for his work at shortstop. He also added 50 hits at the plate, including 13 doubles and 3 triples.

Phommachanhom helped Parkland reach the Regional Championship game last season.
 
"Tylor's skill set was one of the best I saw last year. He plays gold glove caliber shortstop and can drive the ball in the gap as well as steal bases. He should have an immediate impact for us," Vucsko said. 
 
Juan Rico (Joliet, Ill.)
Previous School: Joliet West HS
Position: RHP
Rico had a stellar senior year for Joliet West last spring. He posted an 8-1 record, throwing 38.1 innings, recording 50 strikeouts while having an ERA of 2.6, a resume that earned him All-Conference honors. 
 
"Juan was the ace for a very successful high school program in Joliet West. He is an ultra competitor who throws three pitches for strikes," Lotz said. 
 
Trevor Roy (Hebron, Ind.)
Previous School: Hebron HS
Position: SS
Roy, an aviation major, had an excellent year at the plate last spring, hitting .458 with an on base percentage of .562 with two home runs. He collected All-Conference honors for his play during his junior and senior season at Hebron. 
 
"Trevor has good bat-to-ball skills with some athleticism to play pretty much anywhere in the infield. He has the type of grittiness we look for in a player. We are excited to watch his growth over the next year," Vucsko said. 
 
Abraham Sanchez (San Diego, Calif.)
Previous School: Upper Iowa University
Position: LHP
Sanchez pitched 105 collegiate innings and has compiled a total of 62 strikeouts during his time at Upper Iowa. Last year he posted a 4.70 era last season with 30.2 innings pitched while recording 18 strikeouts along with a .250 opposing batting average against. 
 
"Abraham is a proven GLVC arm. He is a strike thrower who understands what it takes to be successful. He can start or come out of the bullpen and will do whatever it takes to win. We are thrilled to have him," Vucsko said. 
 
Kaleb Schulist (Shantytown, Wis)
Previous School: UW Parkside
Position: LHP
Schulist pitched 14 appearances with 8 starts for the Rangers. He threw 49.2 innings, going 5-4 with two complete games and one shutout, racking up 45 strikeouts while recording All-GLIAC honors.
 
"Kaleb has a ton of upside with his pitch ability, stuff, and versatility to start or pitch out of the bullpen for us. He is going to be a great addition to the staff," Lotz said. 
 
Luke Wolff (Joliet, Ill.)
Previous School: Kankakee CC
Position: RHP
Wolff is a local product who graduated from Joliet West High School. He was an Academic All-American last year for the NJCAA while appearing in three games out of the bullpen.  
 
"Wolff has a mid 80's fastball with a plus change up. His project ability is extremely high, and I am excited to watch him develop over the next couple of seasons," Vucsko said. 
 
Owen Young (Joliet, Ill.)
Previous School: Joliet West HS
Position: C
Young put together an excellent senior season last year. He finished with a .396 batting average and an OPS of 1.283.

Young launched 6 homers and scored 48 runs, earning him All-Conference and helping Joliet West have one of its best seasons in program history. 
 
"Owen was one of the first high school commitments we got in the '24 class. He can hit for power and run. Owen checks a lot of boxes for us and we expect big things from him in the coming years," Vucsko said.