HOUSTON – The HBU baseball program has signed 10 future Huskies to National Letters of Intent during the NCAA's early signing period, first-year head coach Lance Berkman announced Thursday.
 
"We are beyond excited about our 2022 recruiting class," Berkman said. "These players exemplify what we are looking for in terms of character and ability. This group will be the cornerstone that we can build a successful program on and I can't wait to get them on campus next fall."
 
The Huskies signed seven pitchers, three of which also play outfield, two catchers and two infielders. Nine of them hail from Texas, with one each from Colorado and California. Ten of the signees will be graduating from high school in May 2022, with one junior college transfer, and all will arrive at HBU next fall.
 
HBU hosts Rutgers in the season-opening, three-game series Feb. 18-20, 2022, at Husky Field.
 
HBU Baseball 2021-22 Early Signees
 
Trent Baker – OF/P – 5-11 -180 – R/R – Spring, Texas/Klein Cain
Baker has been a three-year letterwinner at Klein Cain High School for coach David Miller. Last season, he hit .354 with a home run, eight doubles, three triples and 16 RBIs to earn first-team all-district honors as an outfielder and also earned academic all-district honors. His father, Chris, pitched for the Astros, Blue Jays and Rangers. He is the oldest of seven children, with five brothers and a sister.
 
Luke Bard – C – 6-2 – 180 – R/R – Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County
Bard has been a four-year letterwinner at Douglas County High School for coach Craig Gienger. He is the 34^th-ranked prospect overall in Colorado. Last season, hit .333 with four doubles and 13 RBIs in 17 games. He is the son of former Major Leaguer Josh Bard, who played for the Indians, Padres, Red Sox, Nationals and Mariners.
 
Baylor Baumann – P – 5-10 – 155 – R/R – Heath, Texas/Rockwall-Heath
Baumann has been a two-year letterwinner at Heath High School for coach Greg Harvey. Helped the Hawks to the 2021 Texas Class 6A state title. Hurled a complete game in the state semifinals.
 
Cash Benavidez – IF – 5-11 – 175 – R/R – Alice, Texas/Alice
Benavidez has been a four-year starter at Alice High School for coach Nick Alvarado. Earned first-tam all-district honors as a junior and honorable mention as a freshman. Was Alice's Offensive MVP, helping the Coyotes to bi-district and area championships. In 2021, led Alice to its first regional quarterfinal appearance since 2009. Was also a two-year letterwinner in football, as Alice claimed bi-district championships in back-to-back seasons.
 
Daniel Farrow – P – 6-2 – 185 – R/R – Austin, Texas/Vandegrift
Farrow has been a three-year letterwinner at Vandegrift High School for coach Jarod Hickle. Earned third-team all-district honors as a sophomore and claimed academic all-district honors in 2019 and 2020. Made eight appearances for his club team, USA Prime National, going 3-0 with two saves, a 1.02 ERA and 28 strikeouts over 20.2 innings.
 
Dylan LaRue – C – 6-0 – 180 – L/R – Kendalia, Texas/Blanco
LaRue has been a four-year starter at Blanco High School for coach Bryan Wyatt. He is the top rated catcher and 24^th-ranked prospect overall in Texas by Five Tool Baseball. He is the son of Jason LaRue, who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Cardinals, Reds and Royals and is the brother of current HBU catcher, Tyler LaRue.
 
Michael May – IF – 6-2 – 185 – R/R – El Dorado Hills, Calif./Oak Ridge
May has been a four-year letterwinner at Oak Ridge High School in California for coach Todd Melton. Last season, he hit .394 with 18 home runs and 73 RBIs, posting a .425 slugging percentage and .986 OPS. Also played soccer for six years and made the Dean's List in 2018.
 
Damian Ruiz – OF/P – 6-1 – 170 – R/R – Livingston, Texas/Livingston
Ruiz has been a four-year starter at Livingston High School for coach Jarred Maddox. Was named newcomer of the year as a freshman and District Offensive MVP and all-state accolades as a junior. Made the all-academic team all three years. Also lettered in football as a sophomore and junior.
 
Jonathan Valdez – P – 5-11 – 185 – R/R – Houston, Texas/Cypress Falls
Valdez has been a four-year letterwinner at Cypress Falls High School for coach Chris Laird. Earned second-team all-district honors as a freshman and was the District Pitcher of the Year as a junior. Was also the varsity football newcomer of the year and has been an academic all-district selection all four years.
 
Jarek Wells – P/OF – 6-1 – 186 – R/R – Spring Branch, Texas/Smithson Valley/Midland College
Wells hit .396 with three home runs, five doubles and 17 RBIs in 33 games as a freshman at Midland College. Also made 16 appearances on the mound, going 3-1 with two saves and 28 strikeouts in 27.0 innings.
 
Nolan Wilson – P – 6-0 – 205 – R/R – Hockley, Texas/Cy-Fair
Wilson has been a three-year letterwinner at Cy-Fair High School for coach Billy Hardin. He is the 88^th-ranked prospect in Texas overall according to MaxPreps. Last season, posted a 5-2 record. Made the A/B Honor Roll and helped lead his club team, Texas Twelve, to the WWBA World Championship.