Strykers add players, coach

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – The Woodlands Strykers open the 2013 Texas Collegiate League baseball season at home on May 30 and have made a couple of moves in anticipation of opening day. The Strykers are signed four more players and added an assistant coach in the last two days.

The team signed Brian Smith from Rice University and Caulin Cragle from Dallas Baptist University, along with Stephen F. Austin State University infielder Conner Fikes and catcher Joseph Olson.

Smith is a native of Cypress, Texas. He is a junior outfielder for legendary coach Wayne Graham for the Owls. He has played in four games this season making three starts. He spent the past two seasons at Grayson Community College. Last season, he had a .370 batting average to go along with 35 RBIs, five home runs and 10 doubles.

Cragle is from Missouri City, Texas. He is a freshman for Dallas Baptist. He has played in seven games for the Patriots going 1-0 He graduated from Fort Bend Christian Academy. Last season for the Eagles, he had two wins and a 2.60 ERA. He added 45 strikeouts in just over 36 innings.

“Anytime you can get a player from Rice, that is great,” Strykers owner Ramiro Lozano said. “Brian will be able to come in and get our offense some firepower. Cragle can really sling the ball around and we are hoping he can come in, throw strikes and get outs for us. Excited to have these two.”

Fikes and Olson will joining SFA teammate Ricardo Sanchez, who is set to return for his second season with the Strykers.

Fikes is a native of Rowlett, Texas. He is a freshman for the Lumberjacks. He is a 6’0 infielder, and is being red-shirted this season. While at Rowlett High, he was the District 10-5A Offensive Player of the Year. He also batted .360 in 100 at bats his senior season. He collected 11 doubles, four triples, two home runs and 35 RBIs.

Olson is a native of Waco, Texas. He will work behind the plate for the Strykers. He is a redshirt freshman for the Lumberjacks. He was a first-team all-state catcher while he attended Robinson High School where he batted .396 as a senior.

Olson made two starts last season for SFA before an injury forced him to take a red shirt. Olson has made 32 starts this season. He has accumulated a .292 batting average by having 31 hits, two of which are doubles, to go along with 17 RBIs in 106 plate appearances.

“I am glad we were able to get these two guys, “assistant general manager Lance Drake said. “The coaches at SFA have had great things to say about both players. Olson is having a great season after coming off an injury and has done a great job behind the plate. Fikes is red shirting this season so he will be ready to come in and play.”

In addition, the Strykers announced that Randy Lorber has been named an assistant coach for the 2013 season. He will join assistant Matt Coburn and new Strykers head coach John Villarreal.

Lorber has been the top assistant coach at Brookhaven College since August 2010. While at Brookhaven, he has served as the recruiting coordinator, hitting coach, and has coordinated their strength and conditioning program. This season, the Bears were the Metro Athletic Conference Champions for the first time in school history.

“Randy is a top notch coach and we are very excited to have him join our Stryker Family, Lozano said. “He is a very determined individual in helping each player succeed on the field. Randy is a good ‘fit’ for our final coaching spot. During the process of filling the final spot, Randy stood out to me with his persistence and his desire to come and coach our guys this summer.”

The Strykers’ first game is May 30 against the Victoria Generals at Stryker Stadium located at the Woodlands Christian Academy (5800 Academy Way, off of College Park Drive west of Interstate 45).

Be sure to book your next company outing or birthday party on our deck located by first base. The team is looking for one other host family for the season. Visit www.woodlandsstrykers.com or call 979.824.5655 or 832.818.7331 to find out everything about the Strykers or to order tickets. You can also follow the Strykers on both Facebook and Twitter.