State Fair Community College baseball head coach Jud Kindle has announced the addition of seven student-athletes to the Roadrunners’ 2018-2019 recruiting class.

The additions include two transfers and five high school students.

James Barnes is a 6’0’’ first baseman from Pleasant Hill who will transfer to SFCC from Metropolitan Community College-Longview. Longview will discontinue its baseball program at the end of the season. Barnes is hitting .358 as a freshman, has scored 24 runs and driven in 19 so far this season.

Barnes played baseball at Pleasant Hill High School where he broke the school record for batting average and hits in a season. He earned first-team all-conference honors in high school and second-team all-state honors as a senior. Barnes also was an academic all-conference and all-district selection for his classroom work. He has signed a National Letter of Intent for fall semester.

“James is a power hitting first baseman,” said Kindle. “He will be a good addition to the middle of our lineup where we need to replace some big bats next season.”

Brady Holden, a 5’11’’ outfielder from St. Joseph, also will transfer to SFCC from Metropolitan Community College-Longview and has signed a National Letter of Intent. Holden is currently hitting .287, has scored 27 runs and stolen 16 bases.

Holden played at Mid-Buchanan High School in Faucett. He was a two-time all-conference selection, a three-time all-district selection and earned honorable mention all-state honors during high school.

“Brady is a left-handed hitter who runs well,” said Kindle. “He is a good fit with the type of baseball we play. We like to steal bases, and he can do that.”

Kyle Gaines, a 6’1” shortstop/pitcher who plays baseball at North Kansas City High School, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend SFCC in the fall. Gaines received all-conference honorable mention as a pitcher his freshman season. As a sophomore, he earned second-team all-conference as a pitcher. During his junior year, Gaines earned all-conference first-team honors as an infielder and has earned an academic letter and academic honor roll recognition for his classroom work.

“We see Kyle as an infielder for us next season,” said Kindle. “He is athletic, has a good attitude and will be a good addition to our team."

Mason Kirkweg, a 6’4’’ right-handed pitcher from Eugene, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend SFCC in the fall. He plays baseball at Eugene High School.

“Mason was a highly recruited student-athlete,” said Kindle. “He possesses pitching velocity in the high 80s and most likely will be our biggest power arm on the pitching staff. He has a lot of potential.”

William Andrew Perez-Muzquiz, a 5”10” shortstop from Kansas City, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend SFCC in the fall. He plays baseball at Bishop Miege High School where he also was part of two state championship soccer teams.

“He is a super athletic, fast player who fits the mold of what we are looking for,” said Kindle. “He also has good hands, and I like his attitude. He is another good addition to our team.”

Peyton Soria, a 6’1’’ pitcher/third baseman from Excelsior Springs, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend SFCC in the fall. He plays baseball at Excelsior Springs High School where he also excelled in football and basketball.

Soria is a three-time all-conference and three-time all-district selection on the baseball diamond. He has also been named honorable mention all-state. In football, Soria was a two-time all-conference selection as well as a two-time all-district selection. He was a Frank Fontana Award nominee, which is given to the most outstanding small class football player in the greater Kansas City area. In basketball, Soria was a three-time all-conference and all-district selection and a 1,000-point club member.

“Peyton will be able to pitch and play third base for us,” said Kindle. “He is big and athletic. I love his attitude.”

Payton Whitaker, a 6’1” shortstop from Oak Grove, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend SFCC in the fall. He plays baseball at Oak Grove High School and is hitting .471 during his senior season. Whitaker has earned all-conference and all-district honors throughout high school and has been named all-area. Whitaker has earned academic all-conference honors for his classroom work.

“Payton is a left-handed hitting shortstop. I liked his swing when I watched him play, and he has good hands,” said Kindle. “He will be an asset next year.”

David Rohrbach, SFCC Athletics

Randy Kirby
Randy Kirby
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