April 2, 2019

By Dustin Saracini

Okotoks Dawgs

The Dawgs are pleased to announce seven additional player signings.

NAIA – Eddy Tavares (Peru State – RHP – Senior) San Cristobal, DR

The towering 6-foot-5, 245-pound senior out of Peru State has had an incredible collegiate career. Tavares was named Heart of America Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week after a complete-game, 14 strikeout gem this season and is currently 4-2. Tavares leads the NAIA in opponent batting average (.131) and strikeouts per game (16.56), and has hit 97 MPH on the radar gun. His best game of the year may have been against Grand View, where he pitched an eight-inning shutout. This will be Tavares’ first year with the Dawgs.

NCAA D2 – Kaleb Huxford (St. Leo University – RHP- Junior) Rosedale, IN

Making his Dawgs debut, Huxford has been a dominant presence on the mound over his collegiate career. As a sophomore with Lincoln Trail College, Huxford finished with a 5-1 record and 1.53 ERA over 59 innings. He was a strikeout machine, recording 74 Ks, en route to earning All-Conference and All-Region honours. Ultimately, he finished fourth in NJCAA division I ERA. In his first season in the NCAA with St. Leo University, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander has held his opponents to a .241 batting average over 21 innings of work. He currently sits with a 3.33 ERA and 1.41 WHIP.

NAIA – Zak Spivy (Weber International University – RHP – Senior) Naples, FL – Verbally committed

The senior out of Weber International University has enjoyed a remarkable season on the mound for the 26-13 Warriors. Sporting a 7-3 record on the mound, Spivy owns a 2.97 ERA over 10 appearances. His best game of the season ironically came against head coach Mitch Schmidt’s Bellevue Bruins, where he threw a one-run complete game. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder has been an absolute workhorse, leading the team in complete games with six, and innings with 78.2. The next closest on the team has thrown 53 innings. This will be Spivy’s first season with the Dawgs.

NCAA D2 – Galen Manhard (Academy of Art University – LHP – Junior) Carmel Valley, CA

Manhard is coming off a campaign with Art University where he led the team in ERA with 2.89 and strikeouts per nine innings with 10.61. The left-handed reliever continues to be a strikeout machine in 2019, recording 15 Ks over 10 appearances. Manhard has locked down ninth-inning duties with five saves and will be making his Dawgs debut.

NAIA – Tanner Simpson (Lewis-Clark State College – RHP – Senior) North Bend, WA

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound pitcher is coming off a solid junior campaign for the Warriors where he led all relievers with a 1.50 ERA. In his senior season, Simpson continues to be a reliable arm out of the bullpen, sporting a 2.70 ERA while striking out 29 batters over 20 innings of work. Simpson had a great outing against Antelope Valley, throwing four frames of shutout baseball. He will be making his Dawgs debut.

NAIA – Andrew Yates (Indiana University Southeast – LHP – Senior) Harrodsburg, KY

The senior lefty was recently named River States Conference Pitcher of the Week after tossing a complete-game, three-hit shutout. He ranks 25th in the NAIA in runs allowed. Over 33.2 innings pitched in 2019, Yates owns a 3-0 record with a 2.94 ERA. Last summer, Yates held a 4.90 ERA over 14 innings of work with the Dawgs, striking out 23 batters.

NAIA – Billy Brand (Point University – RHP – Senior) Burlington, ON – Verbally committed

The lone Canadian on this list, the senior has been lights out in his final season with Point University. Projected to have the opportunity to close for the Dawgs in 2019, Brand has yet to allow a run over 19 2/3 innings and has held his opponents to a sterling .125 batting average. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder has struck out 16 batters against five walks and has recorded 10 saves for the 24-13 Skyhawks. His 10 saves currently leads the NAIA.