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EVANSTON, Illinois. - Northwestern head baseball coach Paul Stevens has announced the signing of seven individuals to National Letters of Intent. Ethan Bramschreiber (Glendora, Calif./St. Francis), Nick Friar (Westport, Mass./Westport), Nick Linne (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central), Kyle Ruchim (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Stevenson), Cody Stevens (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South), Jack Straub (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) and Dan Tyson (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic) are set to join the Wildcats for the 2011 season.
"I'm really excited about this group," Paul Stevens said. "They embody what Northwestern is all about from a student-athlete perspective. They have tremendous athletic and academic credentials as well as great character. I think they're all going to make an impact on this program from the get-go."
Bios on each of the signees and comments from Coach Stevens on each of the individuals follows.
Nick Linne
Outfield
6-2 • 205
Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central
High School: Posted a .325 batting average, two home runs, 10 doubles, 16 stolen bases and 30 RBI as a junior to earn honorable mention All-DuPage Valley honors ... Homered in the team's first playoff game against Hinsdale Central ... Participated in Stevenson Showcase ... Helped lead the Redhawks to the state quarterfinals in 2009 ... Played summer ball for the Illinois Sparks ... All-conference selection, offensive MVP and Walter Payton Roundhouse Player of the Year in football as a quarterback senior year ... Also played basketball, earning honorable mention all-conference as a junior ... Team captain in all three sports ... Honor roll student ... Academic all-conference ... High school baseball coach is Bill Seiple.
Personal: Born Nicholas David Linne on 7/2/91 ... Son of Dave and Anne Linne ... Uncle, Bobby Carlsen, played baseball collegiately at Oklahoma State and for three years in the minor leagues.
Coach Stevens on Linne: "Nick is a great all-around athlete. We're not sure where we'll play him yet, but he has played the outfield. He is someone who will definitely fill a role with all of the athleticism he brings to the table."
Kyle Ruchim
Infield
5-10 • 175
Buffalo Grove, Ill./Stevenson
High School: All-area selection junior year, posting a .389 batting average, 12 doubles, 4 triples and 4 home runs while posting a 4-1 record with a 0.72 ERA on the mound ... Helped the team to the regional championship ... Participated in Stevenson Showcase ... Played summer ball for Top Trier and tossed a perfect game in the 17U CABA World Series championship game en route to being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Pitcher ... Invitee of Super 60, Black & Silver, Pitch & Hit Club, Team Illinois and Area Code Games ... Honor roll student ... High school coach is Paul Mazzuca.
Personal: Born Kyle Max Ruchim on 8/11/92 ... Son of Mitch and Cindi Ruchim and Karen Ruchim.
Coach Stevens on Ruchim: "Kyle has all of the pieces of the puzzle. He can play both the middle infield positions in addition to pitching. He had tremendous success over the summer as well as at Stevenson High School. He's someone who brings a lot of speed and agility to our program."
Cody Stevens
Infield
5-9 • 145
Glenview, Ill/Glenbrook South
High School: Posted a .381 batting average junior year ... Homered off Chicago Cubs draftee John Nasshen to break up a no-hitter in regional tournament game ... Team captain ... Stevenson Showcase invitee ... Represent Team Illinois at Sun Belt tournament in Oklahoma ... Played summer ball for Lakeside Cardinals and Glenview American Legion ... Honor roll student ... Peer tutor ... Represented school at district leadership conference ... Also played hockey ... High school baseball coach is Bob Rosinski.
Personal: Born Cody Kenneth Stevens on 3/24/91 ... Son of Paul and Kenan Stevens ... Father is the Northwestern head baseball coach ... Brother, Trevor, is a sophomore infielder on the Northwestern baseball team.
Coach Stevens on Stevens: "Cody can play a number of positions for us, which gives us a lot of flexibility in the infield. He has proven that he can swing the bat and get things done from gap-to-gap
