Three Hesston College baseball players moving on

Three players who recently wrapped up their careers for Hesston College Baseball have signed letters-of-intent to continue at four-year programs. Nolan Huelsmann (Goddard, Kan.) and Andrew Pina (Goddard, Kan.), former high school teammates at Goddard High, will play alongside each other for two more years at McPherson (Kan.) College this fall, while Joe Smith (Hartville, Ohio) takes his talents to MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, Kan. All three were important parts of first-year coach Rob Ramseyer’s 2012 squad that went 23-21.

“We are extremely excited and proud of Joe, Nolan and Andrew,” Ramseyer said. “They are going to schools that are good fits for them where they will have a chance to contribute. It was very important to me to have strong leadership this year, and we certainly had that from our sophomore class. These guys have worked exceptionally hard and have been great for our program.”

For Smith, Hesston became a home-away-from-home, and playing for the Larks has afforded him opportunities that were not there after high school.

“On the baseball field, Hesston became a proving ground for me,” he said. “I had a few offers to play college ball after high school but that offer sheet more than doubled after I came here. We played a great schedule, and I think that will help me at the next level. Off the field, Hesston was an amazing experience, too. I built great relationships with people all across campus and really enjoyed my time at Hesston.”

“At Hesston we look for guys who can impact our baseball program and our campus,” Ramseyer said. “I want them to succeed in the classroom, on the field and make a positive contribution in the community. Nolan, Andrew and Joe did just that, and I’m proud to see them moving on as student athletes.”