Class of 2009 College Commitments

Millard West's Brandon Bass Commits to Iowa Western

January 16, 2009

Brandon Bass, a 6’1 All-Nebraska shortstop from Millard West in Omaha, NE, has committed to Iowa Western Community College. Last season Bass had a season for the ages. Not only was Bass named as an All-State Infielder while hitting .390 and scoring 48 runs and driving in 28; but he also received the 2008 Louisville Slugger Award in the summer. The Louisville Slugger Award is given to the player with the highest batting average in American Legion National competition. Bass hit .576 to earn the honor and become the first Nebraska native to receive the prestigious award since 1985. During his outstanding season this past summer Brandon set the single season record for hits in a season (91), while finishing second in doubles (20), triples (8), and runs scored in a season (79). Bass is another highly touted recruit from Millard West High School the Reivers have received commitment from in the past; the last being John Reed who is currently the starting shortstop at Sam Houston State located in Huntsville, TX. (courtesy of IWCC Baseball website)

[Editor's Note: The Reivers have been picked 4th in the Collegiate Baseball News 2009 NJCAA Division 1 Preseason Poll. Head Coach Marc Rardin's squad will be led by three former Nebraska high school hurlers: Charlie Shaver (Elkhorn), Brian Feekin (Papillion-LaVista) and Ben Brown (Millard West). Other former Nebraska high school players on the Reivers '09 roster include sophomore outfielder Pat Boyd (Papillion LaVista), freshman third baseman Brandon Winkelmann (Omaha Gross), freshman LHP Dan Klusaw (Omaha Bryan) and freshmen RHP's Derek Landis (Ralston) and Scott Donner (Crofton). Former Prep All-Nebraska first baseman Derek Nelson transferred from IWCC to UNO at the semester and will sit out the spring under NCAA transfer rules.]

Lavelle Commits to Reivers

November 17, 2008

Adam Lavelle, a 6’1” 190 pound senior from Lincoln Southwest, has committed to play for Iowa Western Community College next season. Lavelle, a left handed hitting outfielder, looks to be a great addition to an already talented signing class. Lavelle is a three-sport athlete who plays football, basketball and baseball. His sophomore and junior years at Lincoln Southwest, Lavelle was named as the best male athlete in his school by the student body. Lavelle is a big physical kid that is very athletic and can run with a good arm from the outfield as well as a consistent bat at the plate. This summer Lavelle batted .419 with an on-base percentage of .579 while having 36 RBIs and scoring 45 runs in just 37 games. These stats are what excite the Reiver program with his addition and that kind of production in so few games. Not only is he a good baseball player with a bunch of potential but a very good student as well. He has been on the honor roll during his whole tenure at Lincoln Southwest, having a 4.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. (courtesy of IWCC Baseball website)

Westside's Goldstrom Signs With Hutch

February 28, 2009

Omaha Westside High School's third baseman, Jory Goldstrom, has recently signed a National Letter Of Intent and accepted a baseball scholarship to attend Hutchinson Community College. Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, the Blue Dragon baseball program is led by head coach Kyle Crookes, competes in the 19-team Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC), finished last year in secpmd place in the nine team Western Division and qualified for the NJCCA Regional Tournament in Wichita.

The 5' 10", 170 lb Goldstrom, a three-year starter, has anchored the Warrior infield at the hot corner since his 2007 sophomore season, where his 31 RBI were among the state leaders that spring. During the 2007 Legion summer, playing for Grubb & Ellis, Goldstrom hit .368 and was among the State's summer leaders in Runs (49), Hits (60), Triples (5). Last spring, in 2008, Goldstrom hit .304 with 31 hits and hit .400 in the Class A State Tournament, Westside's 11th consecutive trip to state.

As a Freshman, Goldstrom was a mainstay on the Grubb & Ellis 2006 Nebraska Junior Legion State Championship team. In 2007, Goldstrom was chosen to play for Coach Bill Olson's All Star team of Nebraska Sophomore's in the Oklahoma Sunbelt Classic, a tournament played against top Oklahoma and Texas teams. A two-sport athlete and winner of six varsity letters, Goldstrom juggled his duties as the Strong Safety for the Westside Football team, where his 95 tackles were 6th most in Class A this past season, while also playing for Coach Olson's Ultimate Baseball Academy Fall Showcase team, traveling to tournaments in Iowa City, Manhattan KS, Lincoln and Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas.

Collegiate Baseball Magazine's list of top Nebraska High School Baseball players included Jory in both 2008 and 2009. Jory looks forward to joining 3 other former Metro players who are currently playing for Hutchinson, Shaun Hoover, Michael Peterson and Jon Schneider.

Jory is the son of Carol and Larry Goldstrom. Jory's brother Ben, also a Westside graduate, was the 3rd baseman for the 2006 Warrior's State Baseball Championship Team and is currently a Junior infielder/catcher for the Midland Lutheran College baseball team.

Note: If you've had a baseball Letter of Intent signing event at your school, or are planning to have one, please send a digital photo and pertinent information to admin@metropreps.com, and we'll be happy to report your signing ceremony here.

The players listed below from the Nebraska high school Class of 2009 are reported to be pursuing opportunities to play college baseball at the listed colleges and universities.

Click here to add a player to the list.