March 9, 2011
Amidst a four game winning streak early in the 2011 season, UMass Lowell baseball has already ensured the future remains just as bright. The River Hawks signed highly touted recruits Geoff DeGroot (Wesley Chapel, Fla.), Ryan Gendron (Nashua, N.H.), Matt Mottola (Newburyport, Mass.) and Jacob O'Keefe (Wellington, Fla.) for the 2012 season, as announced by head coach Ken Harring on Wednesday.
DeGroot has starred at shortstop for the past three seasons at Florida's Wesley Chapel High School. He was recently named a 2011 Under Armour Preseason All-American. In 2009, DeGroot captained the club to the Class 5A District 7 Championship.
As a junior, DeGroot hit .397 with 11 RBI, 17 walks and a .500 on-base percentage. For his efforts, he was named a Tampa Tribune First-Team All-Pasco County and St. Petersburg Times Second-Team All-Suncoast selection.
Gendron comes to UMass Lowell by way of Nashua High School South where he was named to the Second-Team All-State this past season. A star off the diamond as well, he was selected for the National Honor Society as a junior and senior.
Gendron started all 19 games this past year, collecting a .397 batting average with two home runs and 16 RBI. The talented hitter drew 12 walks, totaled eight extra base hits and compiled a .619 slugging percentage.
Mottola signs with the River Hawks while wrapping up a stellar career with Newburyport High School. A starter throughout his career, Mottola earned the team's Rookie of the Year as a freshman and Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.
Mottola compiled a .435 batting average and six home runs during his heralded sophomore campaign, setting the school's record for most hits in a season.
Lastly, O'Keefe enters the final year of a celebrated career at the American Heritage School in Florida. Named the MVP of the 2009 Florida State Finals and a member of the Sarasota Classic All-Tournament Team in 2010, he was also a member of the Dean's List as a sophomore, junior and senior.
The standout catcher batted .365 last year, knocking in 22 RBI and scoring 27 runs. O'Keefe also showed prowess on the base paths, swiping 11 bags while throwing out 40% of opposing base runners.
