Mankato, Minn. --- Baseball coach Matt Magers has announced that seven student-athletes have signed NCAA Letters of Intent to attend Minnesota State University.

Committing to MSU during the NCAA early signing period are Mitchell Bauer (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove High School), Tyler Frohwirth (Waukesha, Wis./Brookfield Academy), Hunter Harnisch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakefield South High School), Lucas Henning (Worthington, Minn./Worthington High School), Josh Hoekstra (Wausau, Wis./Century CC), Trevor Patterson (Chanhassen, Minn./Chanhassen High School) and Eric Peterson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan High School).

"We’re excited to add each of these student-athletes and their families to the Maverick baseball program," said Magers. "It’s a pitching-oriented class that features two solid position players who will fill a lot of needs for us. These guys all have successful backgrounds in the classroom and on the baseball field which will allow them to handle the load of our highly competitive NSIC schedule."

A two-sport letterwinner (baseball and hockey) at Maple Grove, Mitchell Bauer is a three-year starter as a righthanded pitcher and outfielder for the Crimson. Named All-Northwest Suburban as a junior last year, he went 8-0 with two saves in 60.2 innings with a 2.19 earned run average an 53 strikeouts while helping Maple Grove to a second-place finish at the state tournament. Magers on Bauer: "Mitchell is a true Maverick as both his parents attended Minnesota State and his sister currently attending. He comes from a very competitive high school program. He has pitched in big games, including the 2011 State AAA Tournament Championship game, and knows how to win. His grit and determination will remind people of another Maple Grove and MSU graduate, Patrick Lenton."

Tyler Frohwirth, a righthanded pitcher, fanned 50 batters in 64 innings while going 7-3 with one save for Brookfield Academy in 2010. Named first team all-conference, Frohwirth is the son of former Major League pitcher Todd Frohwirth (pitched in 284 games with Phillies, Orioles, Red Sox and Angels from 1987-1996). Magers on Frohwirth: "Tyler has a high baseball IQ as his dad, Todd, is a former big leaguer. He throws from a low ¾ arm slot which is very deceptive and has a good breaking pitch which allows him to pitch backwards. He’s a strike thrower and a big-time competitor."

Hunter Harnisch, a righthanded catcher, comes to MSU via Lakeville South High school where he is in his third year as a member of the Cougar baseball team. Harnisch hit .270 with five homers as a junior in earning All-South Suburban Conference honorable mention honors. He also is a member of the South wrestling and football teams. Magers on Harnish: "Hunter is one of the best catch and throw guys in the state. He calls a good game and has the ability to control a pitching staff. He has improved steadily with the bat and we’re excited to have him as part of the program.

Lucas Henning, a 6-3, 195 lb., lefthanded pitcher, was an All-Southwest Conference performer for Worthington High School in 2010. He went 2-2 with 39 strikeouts in 29 innings while hitting .349 for the Trojans as a junior. Henning is also a member of the football and basketball teams. Magers on Henning: "We feel that Lucas has just begun to reach his potential on the mound. He’s going to throw harder as he gets older and has the ability to throw his breaking pitch for strikes in tough situations."

A 6-7, 250-lb., righthanded pitcher, Josh Hoekstra built a 4-1 record with a 3.97 ERA and 48 Ks in 41.2 innings with Century College in 2011. He is a graduate of D.C. Everest High in Schofield, Wis., where he lettered in baseball, football and basketball. Magers on Hoekstra: "With his size, Josh will be one of the biggest players to ever wear the Maverick uniform. He's just coming into his own on the mound and as a big strong junior college right-hander, we expect Josh to step in and contribute immediately."

Named Chanhassen High School team MVP and All-Missota Conference in 2011, Trevor Patterson is a righthanded pitcher who went 9-1 with a 3.35 ERA and 56 Ks in 54.1 innings as a junior. Magers on Patterson: "Trevor is a big, durable right handed pitcher. He really come into his own the last year and has a great feel for pitching. His fastball has good late life and his breaking pitch is a very good out pitch. Trevor is a player that can be really special because of his build and competitiveness."

Eric Peterson, a righthanded infielder/outfielder from Eagan High School, was named all-state and all-conference as a junior after hitting .414 with ten doubles and 10 stolen bases for the Wildcats. The son of former MSU men's hockey player Tom Peterson (6-39--45 in 83 GP with the Mavericks from 1982-85), he also plays hockey at Eagan. Magers on Peterson: "Eric is a high-energy guy that knows how to play the game. A multi-sport athlete, his athleticism and baseball tools allow him to be a valuable player in the outfield and infield. He has a solid approach at the plate and uses his speed to create havoc on the base paths."

All signings are contingent upon admission to MSU and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Minnesota State captured the 2011 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season title and advanced to the NCAA regional tournament for the sixth consecutive season while putting together a 40-12 record.

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