Nov. 16, 2009

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University athletics department, along with men's baseball Head Coach Mark O'Brien, announced the signing of three athletes to National Letters of Intent. The incoming class is expected to attend Santa Clara in the Fall 2010 quarter and play for the Broncos in the Spring of 2011.

The signees include two of California's top ranked left-handed pitchers, Patrick Conroy and Powell Fansler. Conroy was named the 2009 Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) `Pitcher of the Year.' The 6-foot 4-inch senior at Sir Francis Drake High School is ranked No. 3 among California lefties according to Perfect Game. Fansler, who stands at 6-foot-5, was 6-0 with a 1.12 ERA as a sophomore at Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks.

"We knew this recruiting class was going to be an extremely small class, and we had to be very particular," said O'Brien. "Coach (Mike) Zirelli has done a tremendous job bringing-in not only talented players, but quality young men. These three guys are going to make a big impact on this program."

Along with Conroy and Fansler, O'Brien and Santa Clara recruiting coordinator Mike Zirelli signed Perfect Game's No. 2 ranked catcher from the state of Washington, Peter Summerville. Summerville - Garfield High School's team captain - hit .380 as a junior in 2009 en route to earning All-King Co. 4A honors.

"We identified early in the recruiting process that one of our major needs was left-handed pitching," said Zirelli. "I think we got two of the top left-handed pitchers in Northern California. Peter (Summerville) is a player that's ready to catch at the Division I level the day he steps onto our campus. He's a natural leader behind the plate."

Patrick Conroy, LHP/1B
6 feet 4 inch/215 lbs./Sir Francis Drake High School (Marin County) NOTES: Struck out 139 batters in 93 innings as a junior in 2008 while also hitting .407 with 11 homeruns as an All-MCAL infielder... throws in the upper 80s, touches 90... solid secondary pitches... very competitive pitcher... shows power offensively, will be a two-way player at DH/1B... attended Perfect Game National Showcase... Cal-Hi Sports All-State First Team underclass and small schools... Atlanta Braves scout team member.

Powell Fansler, LHP
6 feet 5 inch/205 lbs./Bella Vista High School (Sacramento County) NOTES: Allowed just 28 hits in 44 innings in 2008... tremendous upside... great pitching body, athletic frame... command of three pitches... loose arm... scholar athlete... nominated to play in Rawlings NorCal World Series and Colorado Rockies scout team.

Peter Summerville, C
6 feet 1 inch/195 lbs./Garfield High School (King County, Wash.) NOTES: 70 hits and 61 RBI as a junior... Area Code player... Mariner Cup team member... very skilled receiver... works well with pitchers... good approach and balance at the plate... scholar athlete... Baseball Northwest top prospect.