Dec. 2, 2016 ARLINGTON, Texas -- A total of eight student-athletes have signed their national letters of intent to play baseball with UTA in 2018, it was announced on Friday by head coach Darin Thomas.
"I am very happy with the student athletes we are adding," Thomas said. "This group of guys will help us get to where we want to go as a program. Coach (Fuller) Smith and Coach (Jon) Wente worked extremely hard to help us secure a great early signing class."
Seth Ballenger, IF/OF, 6-1, 175 (Carthage, Texas / Carthage) - Two-way talent at Carthage High School for coach John Goodwin ... Left-handed hitting infielder/outfielder ... Was a preseason All-America selection in 2016 ... Named all-district at third base in 2016 ... Earned all-district honors in 2015 in the outfield ...Named Sophomore All-Star Tournament Team in 2015 ... Helped pace baseball team to the fourth round of the playoffs in 2015 and the third round in 2016 ... As a sophomore, had a .316 average with two doubles, two triples, seven RBI and 20 runs scored ... Played football for two seasons and ran track in 2013 ... Football team won the state championship in 2013 ... Played club baseball with the TC Bulldogs and Performance ... Personal: Son of Jason Ballenger and Kristin Mahurin ... Has two brothers and one sister ... Born in Marshall, Texas ... Active in the Brothers in Christ organization and with the Henderson First Baptist Church.
Thomas on Ballenger ...
"Seth is a real sweet-swinging left-handed hitter. We are excited to add him to our club in 2018. He has worked real hard in the weight room and has added 10 pounds since committing to the program in the fall."
Andrew Gross, RHP, 6-4, 195 (Chandler, Ariz. / Chandler / Yavapai College) - Had a 7-2 record with seven saves and a 3.80 ERA in 2016 at Yavapai, leading club to a juco national championship ... Worked 71 innings, striking out 60 while appearing in 29 games with three starts ... Issued just 11 walks, allowing 72 hits and just four extra-base knocks ... Was coached at Yavapai by Ryan Cougill ... Led team to the 2016 ACCAC Championship, district championship and national championship ... Played at Chandler High School (Ariz.) for coach David Lopez ... Personal: Son of Eliot and Lydia ... Born in Phoenix, Ariz. ... Has a sister, Kate (19).
Thomas on Gross ...
"Andrew joins UTA after being a junior college national champion. He was a major piece of Yavapai's national championship and will remind our fans of former UTA standout Jacob Moreland. He is a strike thrower who was worked very hard to develop into a quality college pitcher."
Justin Marino, C/IF, 6-2, 200 (Arlington, Texas / Mansfield) - First-team all-district catcher in 2016 ... Coached at Mansfield by Randy Davis ... Hit .381 with three homers, nine doubles and 23 RBI in 2016 ... Was 9-for-18 at the plate as a sophomore with a double and four RBI, stealing two bases ... Named academic all-district in 2015 and 2016 ... Played football as a freshman ... Participates in the ultimate Frisbee club ... Played club baseball with the D-Bat Mustangs ... Personal: Son of William and Linda Marino ... Has an older sister, Amy (34) ... Born in Arlington, Texas ... Interested in pursuing a career in engineering.
Thomas on Marino ...
"Justin is a physical left-handed hitting catcher/first baseman who is going to be a great addition to our lineup. He is going to continue to add strength in the weight room, which should continue to enhance his development."
David Moffat, RHP, 6-0, 170 (Wichita Falls, Texas / Rider) - First-team All-Star selection in 2016 and the 5-5A Pitcher of the Year ... Named the Newcomer of the Year in 2015 and to the Red River Diamond Dozen in 2016 ... Tabbed the District 5-5A Utility Player of the Year in 2015 ... Named third-team all-state in 2015 at third base ... Hit .416 as a sophomore and .385 as a junior ... As a junior, had a 10-1 record with a 1.26 ERA and a save, working six shutouts and a no hitter ... In 2015, went 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA and 10 saves ... Coached by Josh Bobitt ... "The biggest thing he's bringing is his competitiveness," Bobbitt said. "When he comes into the game, he's a bulldog. He's not afraid of failure. He likes to be in those situations. He continues to tackle that no matter what the circumstances are. (UTA) has an up-and-coming program and I think it will suit him pretty well." ... Was hit in the face by a pitch during the 2015 summer, breaking all the bones in his face and forcing four hours of surgery ... Returned to the mound later in the 2015 summer from the injury ... Played club baseball with Midwest Elite ... Played basketball, earning 5-5A all-district honorable mention accolades ... Personal: Son of Doug and Denise Moffat ... Has a brother, Benjamin ... Grandfather played basketball at Texas and father played baseball at Austin College ... Interested in pursing a degree in kinesiology with a potential career path in physical therapy.
Thomas on Moffat ...
"David is an outstanding pitcher for coach Josh Bobbitt at Rider High School. He has the ability to command three pitches at any time. He really stands out on the mound because of his toughness."
Boone Montgomery, SS/RHP, 6-1, 180 (Grapevine, Texas / Grapevine) - Two-way talent out of Grapevine High School ... Led team to the state 5-A baseball championship in 2015 ... After playing second base in the first game of a doubleheader in the state playoffs, came on to pitch a complete-game, three-hit shutout in the finale of the twinbill ... Named to the 2016 All-Tournament team by the Texas HS Baseball Coaches Association ... Was an all-district honoree in 2015 ... Earned teacher's choice academic excellence honors in AP history ... Played club baseball for the Dallas Dodgers ... Played basketball for the last three seasons ... Named second-team all-district in basketball ... Named academic all-district in basketball in 2014 ... Personal: Son of Greg and Carol Montgomery ... Born in Grapevine, Texas ... Has two sisters, Patricia (23) and Amanda (21) ... Has a cousin, Ryan Martin, who played baseball at UTA ... Grandfather, Bud, played football at Howard Payne ... Relatives Daniel Wilder (football at Lamar) and Collin Wilder (football at Houston) played collegiately ... Is active in the Best Buddies program the last two seasons, also participating in the honor guard as a senior ... Is a youth leader at the First Baptist Church in Colleyville ... Is interested in a potential major in business.
Thomas on Montgomery ...
"Boone is a talented high school shortstop, who will be the starter at Grapevine this year. He is one of the more athletic players we have signed. He has shown the ability to play multiple positions during the spring and summers."
Colby Price
Colby Price, OF, 5-10, 185 (Nederland, Texas / Nederland / Panola JC) - Outfielder out of Panola Junior College, where he hit .379 with 10 homers, 43 RBI, 62 runs scored and 22 steals in 2016 ... Had 15 doubles and a 15-24 walk-strikeout ratio ... Finished 2016 with a .432 on-base percentage and a .597 slugging ... Coached by Todd Shelton at Panola ... Played at Nederland High School, where he was coached by Cody Robbins ... Named team MVP in 2015 ... Played club baseball with the Akedema Prospects ... Also played basketball as a freshman ... Personal: Son of Scott and Heather Price ... Born in Deer Park, Texas ... Has two brothers and a sister.
Thomas on Price ...
"Colby is a junior-college outfielder that will add some good power potential to the lineup. He showed some real ability to fill up the gaps with over 20 extra-base hits as a freshman. We're excited to add Colby to the lineup."
David Renning, OF, 6-4, 200 (Garland, Texas / Sachse) - Outfielder for coach Chris Burrow and Sachse High School ... Belted 10 homers and hit .300 as a junior ... Ran a 6.78 60-yard dash ... Voted as a team captain for 2017 ... As a junior, was invited to the Texas Scouting Association showcase and the Area Code Games ... Earned three years of academic excellence honors ... Named honorable mention all-district as a sophomore ... Hit .284 with 13 RBI as a sophomore ... Played club baseball for the Texas Oilers ... Played football as a freshman. Personal: Son of Paul and Adrian Renning ... Has two brothers, Michael (20) and Zachary (15) ... Born in Dallas, Texas ... Interested in pursing a major in finance.
Thomas on Renning ...
"David is a 6-foot-4, physical high school outfielder. He has an unlimited ceiling as a player. He has shown the ability to hit for power during the spring and summer and is really a relentless worker."
Carlos Tavera, RHP, 6-1, 170 (Fort Worth, Texas / Fossil Ridge) - Played for coaches Doug Dulany and Bruce Holmes at Fossil Ridge High School ... Named the district pitcher of the year and third-team All-State in 2016 ... Also played football as a freshman and basketball as a freshman and sophomore ... Played club baseball with the Blackhawks ... Personal: Son of Tobias and Yvonne Tavera ... Has a sister, Andrea (16) ... Born in Fort Worth, Texas ... Interested in an education degree and impacting young athletes as a teacher and coach.
Thomas on Tavera ...
"We are really excited to sign Carlos. He is a quality arm with a good breaking ball. He has a very competitive demeanor that complements his firm fastball and a swing-and-miss breaking ball."
