Vickers, MacLaren, Hyland highlight new group of players signed by Dawgs

LHP Nick Vickers (Calgary, Alta.) is one of six additional players that the Okotoks Dawgs have signed for their 2019 season. Photo: Amanda Fewer

April 30, 2019

By Dustin Saracini

Okotoks Dawgs

The Okotoks Dawgs are pleased to announce six additional signings – all from NCAA Division I schools – for the upcoming season.

Blake Goldsberry (University of Kansas – RHP – Junior) Highlands Ranch, Colo.

A towering 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-hander out of the University of Kansas, Goldsberry will debut for the Dawgs after consecutive years of making the Academic All-Big 12 team. This year, the Colorado product had a strong start to the season, earning his first save of the year after retiring 12 straight batters in four innings against Northern Illinois. Leading Kansas in appearances and innings pitched out of the bullpen, Goldsberry projects to be a reliable arm for the Dawgs this season.

Gabriel Sotomayor (University of Kansas – RHP – Junior) Gurabo, Puerto Rico

Joining Goldsberry from the University of Kansas will be Sotomayor, who made the Academic All-Big 12 first team in 2018. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound junior holds a 1-0 record over nine appearances with the 22-20 Jayhawks.

Cole MacLaren (Pitt – Catcher – Senior) Morell, PEI

Returning for another season of Dawgs baseball will be MacLaren out of Pitt. In 2018, the senior showed his incredible durability with the school, starting all 55 games behind the dish while throwing out 20 of 50 runners. Over nine games to begin this year, MacLaren collected 12 hits and currently holds a .257 batting average with the Panthers. A year ago in Okotoks, MacLaren was a staple behind the dish, showing his defensive prowess while collecting a .277 average and seven doubles.

Shay Schanaman (University of Nebraska – INF/RHP – Freshman) Grand Island, Neb.

As a freshman at Nebraska, Schanaman has been showing out for the Cornhuskers. Over 14 appearances out of the bullpen, the 6-foot, 190-pounder has authored a 2.03 ERA, striking out 14 over 13 innings pitched. Over the course of the year, Schanaman has held his opponents to just a .111 batting average.

Nick Vickers (Virginia Tech – LHP – Junior) Calgary, Alta.

A Dawgs Academy product, Vickers will be returning from Virginia Tech to make his fourth appearance in the red and white. The lefty was redshirted in 2018 due to an injury and is making his NCAA DI debut this year with the Hokies. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Vickers enjoyed an outstanding career with the Dawgs and Colby CC before ultimately committing to VT.

Kobe Hyland (University of Houston – INF – Junior) Spruce Grove, Alta.

Hyland, who enjoyed a brief stint with the Dawgs in 2017, will return from the University of Houston. The 6-foot junior spent the 2017 and 2018 collegiate seasons at Iowa Western. As a sophomore, Hyland hit .386 with three home runs, 22 doubles, and 11 stolen bases to help the Reivers win the NJCAA Division I Region XI Championship and advance to the JuCo World Series.