TOLEDO, OH – The University of Toledo baseball program has signed seven student-athletes for the 2016-2017 season, head coach Cory Mee announced Tuesday.

Joining the Rockets will be Antonio Bennett (Lorain, OH – Clearview), Malave Bettinger (Coldwater, OH – Coldwater), Austin Calopietro (Maumee, OH – Maumee), Joey Prechtel (Oakland, MI, Rochester Adams), Michael Ryan (Holly, MI, Bishop Foley), Layne Schnitz-Paxton (Napoleon, OH, Napoleon) and Caleb Scoles (Richmond, MI, Gull Lake).

"I'm very pleased with our 2016 recruiting class," said Mee. "I feel like we addressed some specific areas of need on our roster with this group. From a position player standpoint, we needed to recruit a catcher, a shortstop and a middle-of-the-order bat. On the mound, we wanted to add power arms to our staff.  I feel like we accomplished these goals with this class. One thing that really stands out to me about this group is the competitive fire and the hunger to improve that I see in each of them.   I'm really excited to watch this group develop. There is no doubt in my mind that the best is yet to come for them.  I'm confident that this recruiting class will have a big impact on our program for years to come."

The class includes winners of eight all-league honors, 3 all-district honors and one state champion, all before the beginning of their senior seasons. 

Mee and his staff look for more than skills on the field when recruiting to Toledo.

"A lot of credit for this class should go to our recruiting coordinator Josh Bradford and assistant coach Nick McIntyre," said Mee. "They do a tremendous job of identifying prospects that are not only talented baseball players, but also strong academically and most importantly, quality individuals that are the right fit for our program. A special thanks to our players and support staff for their efforts in showing these individuals what our program and university is all about. We're all excited to welcome this group to our Rocket Baseball Family.
Bradford knows how this class helps strengthen the roster.

"We were able to identify the players in 2015 that would fill the needs of our roster relatively early this year," said Bradford. "This class will solidify an already strong pitching staff.  All four pitchers are capable of being front-line guys for us.  The position players can add some pop to our line-up. They will each be capable of filling the holes left by our graduating players."

Antonio Bennett
- Three-year letter winner in baseball
- Earned first-team all-league honors (2014, 2015)
- Second team all-state (2015)
- Named team MVP (2015)
- Hit .506 with 36 stolen bases (2015)
- Also plays basketball and football
 
Mee on Bennett: "Antonio is an outstanding athlete.  He is exactly what we were looking for in a shortstop, a defensive standout with excellent hands and feet who makes plays.  On top of that, he plays the game with tremendous energy, enthusiasm and hustle, which I love.  I believe Antonio is going to be a very strong offensive player as well. He's a line drive hitter with power potential.  I can't wait to see him work with our hitting coach, Nick McIntyre.  A multi-sport athlete in high school, I am excited to see Antonio develop once he focuses on one sport in college.  I believe the sky is the limit for him."
 
Why Bennett chose Toledo: "The campus is very nice, and the university has a great baseball coaching staff."
 
Malave Bettinger
- Three-year letter winner in baseball
- Won a state championship in baseball (2014)
- Earned first-team all-league honors (2015)
- Hit .473 with four home-runs and 17 walks. (2015)
- Career varsity batting average is .432
- Ranked third best first baseman in Ohio by Prep Baseball Report
- Also played football and basketball
- Won four state championships in football (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
 
Mee on Bettinger: "Malave is a strong left handed hitter who we project to be a middle-of-the-order bat and run producer for us.  He has very disciplined approach at the plate which helps him to consistently put up quality at-bats.  On top of that, he has the ability to drive the ball to all fields with authority.  I believe he will be an impact player for us offensively.  One thing I really love about Malave is the winning background he comes from, with his experience on state championship teams in football and baseball at Coldwater High School.  I am expecting him to bring that winning mentality to our program.  I can tell you, I'm really excited to see Malave in a Rocket uniform next year."
 
Why Bettinger chose Toledo: "The coaches recruited me and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the great coaching staff."
 
Michael Ryan:
- Two-year letter winner in baseball
- Hit .310 with 25 RBI and 1 homerun (2015)
- Named a Prospect wire All-American
- Played for South Oakland A's 16U
 
Mee on Ryan: "Michael is an outstanding defensive catcher. He receives, blocks and throws very well. Most importantly, Michael demonstrated the leadership skills we require in our catchers.  I was very impressed with the ability he showed to take charge on the field and run the game for his team and his pitching staff.  I'm really excited for Michael's potential as an offensive player too.  He's a right handed hitter with power, who has an outstanding offensive approach at the plate.  Michael also has the ability to drive the ball to all fields.  I expect him to be a middle-of-the-order hitter and big run producer for us during his career.  I am excited to see him develop into an impact player for the Rockets.  "
 
Why Ryan chose Toledo: "To me, The University of Toledo is so much more than a college. It is my future and presents more opportunities than I could ever had hoped. The campus is ideal, the business program will undeniably provide me with all I need to succeed and there was no better choice for baseball. I am ecstatic to start my time at Toledo. I am ready to gain all that I can from the school and give all that I can in return."
 
Austin Calopietro
- Three-year letter winner in baseball
- Earned first-team all-league honors (2015)
- Named second-team all-district (2015)
- Tallied 18 strikeouts with a 2.63 ERA in 32 innings pitched (2015)
- Hit .330 with 14 RBI and eight doubles (2015)
- Allowed two earned runs in 22 innings pitched (2014)
- Also plays basketball and football
- Second-team all-district in basketball (2014)
 
Mee on Calopietro:
- Austin is an outstanding athlete.  He has a really live arm and electric stuff.  I love the aggressiveness he shows on the mound and the way he attacks the hitters.  There is no doubt that he loves to pitch.  I'm really looking forward to him working with Josh and watching his development as a pitcher.  His best days are definitely ahead of him and I am glad he will spend them in a Rocket uniform."
 
Why Calopietro chose Toledo: "The University is close to home and they have one of the best baseball programs in the MAC."
 
Joey Prechtel
- Three-year letter winner in baseball
- Earned All-league first-team honors (2015)
- Prep Baseball honorable mention all-state (2015)
- Tallied a 4-2 record (2015)
- Had a 1.90 ERA (2015)
- Hit .350 (2015)
- Also plays basketball and football
 
Mee on Prechtel: "Joey is a strong and athletic kid. I would characterize him as a right-handed power pitcher.  He possesses a live fastball and a very good slider.  Most importantly, he is a strike thrower.  I love the way he goes right after hitters.  Joey show's tremendous poise on the mound as well.  He is in complete control of the game, which is impressive.  I think he will have the opportunity to contribute right away.  I can't wait to see him suit up for the Rockets!"
 
Why Prechtel chose Toledo: "I loved the campus and the academic opportunities. I felt very comfortable around the coaches and players."
 
Layne Schnitz-Paxton:
- Three-year letter winner in baseball
- Earned third-team all-league honors (2015)
- Ranked 18^th in Ohio by Prep Baseball Report
- Made 10 Appearances and seven starts on the mound (2015)
- Had a 3.57 ERA over 49.0 innings pitched
- Tallied a 6-3 record while striking out 42
- Summer team advanced to national regional tournament (2014)
- Also plays football
 
Mee on Schnitz-Paxton: Layne is an excellent athlete. He has a very good fastball, a plus curveball and a change-up that is really improving.  I believe the curveball can be a strikeout pitch for him in the future.  He's a tough kid and very aggressive in the way he attacks the hitters.  I absolutely love his competitiveness on the mound.   I can't wait to see him work with Coach Bradford and watch him develop as a pitcher.  His best days are ahead of him for sure.  I really believe Layne will have a big impact on our program during his career with the Rockets."
 
Why Schnitz-Paxton chose Toledo: "I had a good connection with coaches, liked the campus and was able to stay close to home."
 
Caleb Scoles:
- Three-year letterwinner in baseball
- Earned all-league honors (2014, 2015)
- Named all-district (2014, 2015)
- Ranked ninth in Michigan by Prep Baseball Report
- ERA of 0.93 (2014)
 
Mee on Scoles:  "Caleb has a great knowledge and feel for the game. He's got a live arm. He has a good fastball and a plus slider, which is his strikeout pitch. The thing I love about Caleb is the energy he brings to the ballpark every day and the joy he gets out of playing the game.  You can tell he loves to pitch and he is willing to do whatever it takes to improve.  As he continues to develop, I believe Caleb is going to be a major force on the mound for the Rockets.  That's why I am so excited about him joining our program."
 
Why Scoles Chose Toledo: "The feel of the Toledo campus was awesome. The design of the buildings, the dorms, the athletic facilities and location were all important in making my decision. The two most important things were my feelings toward Coach Mee and Coach Bradford and impression of business school."