EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette baseball head coach A.J. Miller has announced the addition of 14 first-year players to the baseball roster for the 2025 season on Tuesday.

The class is comprised of players from nine states that are set to join the Leopards in the upcoming fall semester.

"We, as a staff, are very excited to welcome the graduating class of 2028 to campus", Coach Miller said. "I commend Coach Luke and Coach Boches for their efforts in putting this class together. With 14 players, coming from nine different states, we are eager to see the impact that this group of student-athletes makes, not only in the baseball program, but also in the classroom and community."


Alex Barrist | INF | 5-7 | Media, Pa. | Episcopal Academy
Barrist was a four-year varsity starter in baseball and a three-year starter in soccer for the Churchmen. On the diamond, Barrist batted a career-high .354 as a sophomore. He is a three-time All-Main Line and All-Delco selection, and was named All-Inter-Ac two times. In soccer, the Newtown Square native totaled 23 career goals as a striker, and was named All-Inter-Ac, All-Main Line and All-Delco twice.

Why Lafayette: I chose Lafayette because since the first second I walked onto campus, I was in awe. I was blown away by the campus and immediately thought that I could see myself spending my college years here. On top of that, as soon as I met the coaching staff, I realized that these are the exact coaches I would love to play for, and I am honored and excited to do so. That is why I chose Lafayette.
 
Dalton Brown | LHP | 6-4 | Savannah, Ga. | Savannah Country Day School
Brown was a varsity starter for four years for the Hornets, towing the rubber as a left-handed pitcher and playing first base. Brown was named Freshman of the Year and is a two-time First Team All-Region selection. He played for Team Georgia during the summer. Brown also played basketball and football for the Hornets, winning an AAA Regional Championship on the hardwood.

Why Lafayette: When I walked onto Lafayette's campus, I felt at home! Since freshman year of high school, I have visited college campuses for baseball camps and showcases. During these experiences, I interacted with many coaches and explored each campus, but I never felt quite at home. I came to realize that I didn't want to play for just any program. I wanted to feel a connection to the school and the baseball coaching staff, while also being challenged academically. I also realized that I don't feel at home in a larger setting. I do not want to be a number. I want to be able to personally interact with my professors. Lafayette's 10 to 1 professor to student ratio will allow that kind of interaction. A liberal arts education will also allow me to broaden my knowledge and to enhance my critical thinking. When I visited Lafayette College, not only did I feel an instant connection with Coach Miller, but I knew I could spend the next four years learning, growing, meeting new friends and playing baseball for Lafayette. Lafayette College ticks all the boxes. As Lafayette said more than two centuries ago "Cur Non."

Aidan Crochier | UTL | 6-4 | Pittsburgh, Pa. | Upper St. Clair
Crochier was a two-year starter on the diamond for the Panthers. As a sophomore, he batted .414, with seven home runs and 25 RBIs, with the home runs tying for highest in the WPIAL. Crochier is a two-time All-WPIAL selection. He is a member of the National Honor Society.

Why Lafayette: I chose Lafayette for the competitive athletic and academic atmosphere. I was impressed with Coach Miller's vision for his program and when I saw the campus, it felt like what my vision of a college had always been.  
 
Jonathan Decker | OF | 6-3 | Stamford, Conn. | King School/Hotchkiss School
Decker was a four-year letterwinner in football and baseball at the King School, batting .417 as a senior. During his scholastic career, he was named to the All-League team twice, All-NEJB and All-New England one time and was a recipient of the Northrop Cup.

Why Lafayette: I chose Lafayette because from the moment that I stepped on campus, I felt a strong sense of community from both the players on the team, as well as everyone that I met during my visit. Both coach Miller and coach Luke come from extensive baseball backgrounds, and I felt as if they could help me develop into the best player that I could possibly be. I am eager to join the Lafayette community this coming fall and look forward to contributing to the team's success.
 
Liam Ebbs | 1B/LHP | 6-2 | Atlanta, Ga. | St. Pius X
Ebbs was a two-year starter on the baseball diamond for the Golden Lions, winning a regional championship in 2022. The Atlanta, Ga. native is a 2023 Second Team All-GHSA 6A Region 4 selection. Ebbs was also a member of the basketball and cross country teams in high school and was on the honor roll.

Why Lafayette: I chose Lafayette because of all the wonderful things it has to offer. The tight knit community feeling of Lafayette made me feel right at home when I first stepped on campus. Lafayette offers a prestigious academic experience that will prepare me well for after college. The great coaching staff of the baseball team will also help me to become not only a better player, but an even better person.
 
Boden Fernsler | INF | 6-2 | Novi, Mich. | Novi
Fernsler started three years for the Wildcats in baseball, winning a state championship in 2023 as a junior. He is an All-KLAA selection and an MHSAA All-District selection for baseball. On the hardwood, Fernsler is an All-KLAA selection and an All-Area Third Team honoree. On the gridiron, the Novi, Mich. native was a Detroit Free Press First-Team All-State selection, scoring 21 career touchdowns, along with 1345 receiving yards. Fernsler was named to the baseball and football Academic All-State teams, and is a six-time KLAA scholar-athlete.

Why Lafayette: I chose Lafayette because I am super excited about the opportunity to play Division 1 baseball. I love the great academic side of Lafayette and the beautiful campus. I am also excited to be back in Pennsylvania and close to my grandmother.
 
Nolan Feyereisen | INF | 6-0 | Lake Worth, Fla. | King's Academy
Feyereisen was a four-year varsity starter for the Lions, batting a career-best .443 as a sophomore and with a career batting average over .400. Feyereisen is a First-Team Palm Beach selection, along with being a Palm Beach Post First-Team All-County honoree. He was also named to the 2A-14 All-District team two times. Feyereisen is a two-time Principal's Luncheon qualifier for academic excellence.

Why Lafayette: I chose Lafayette because the academics and campus are second to none – I loved them instantly. Additionally, when I first met Coach Miller and Coach Luke, I knew that our visions aligned, and that they are people I can learn from - both on and off the field, which are both very important things to me.
 
Ali Hood | RHP | 6-2 | Cos Cob, Conn. | Green Farms Academy
Hood started all four years on the diamond for the Dragons, winning an FAA Championship in 2022 and being named Second Team All-FAA in 2023. During the summer, Hood plays for Baseball U Connecticut.

Why Lafayette: I chose Lafayette for many reasons. Similarly to GFA, it was the size of the school. Lafayette is not a super small school, nor a super big one. This fits perfectly with me. I was first introduced to Coach Boches, the Lafayette pitching coach, at Showball in Chicago. My dad and I went out there with a teammate, as we felt that the showcase had coaches from the majority of the schools that I was interested in. Not only was the academic side of things perfect, but likewise the baseball side fit in perfectly. The connection that the team has resonated exceptionally with me, as well as having a former GFA teammate and Baseball U alum on the team (Trace Florio).
 
Jack Mislan | OF | 6-0 | Doylestown, Pa. | CB East
Mislan was a four-year varsity starter for the Patriots. He is a two-time Suburban One selection. Mislan is a member of the Red Cross Club and has volunteered at the Little Generals summer camps.

Why Lafayette: I chose Lafayette for its exceptional education and coaching staff, offering a combination of great academics and sports that aligns perfectly with my goals.  
 
Kellen Moore | RHP | 6-4 | Lawrenceville, N.J. | Lawrence
Moore was a four-year starter in baseball and basketball for the Cardinals, winning a CVC Championship in 2023 and was a Central Jersey Group III finalist in 2023 for baseball. As a junior, he posted an 8-1 record, with 70 strikeouts and a 1.10 ERA, and had a 6-1 record as a senior. The Lawrenceville, N.J. native was named CVC Pitcher of the Year, was selected as for First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Area by the Trenton Times and is a Third Team Group 3 All-State honoree. Moore pitched for Mercer County in the Carpenter Cup. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Lawrence High School DECA Chapter Peer Leadership group.

Why Lafayette: Lafayette provides me with the opportunity to receive a great education and compete at a high level of baseball. It is a place where I could envision myself having success for the next four years.
 
Alex Payne | RHP | 5-7 | Warren, N.J. | Pingry School
Payne started all four years for the Big Blue baseball team and also played on the basketball and hockey teams. On the diamond, Payne is a two-time All-Skyland honoree and a Prep A Champion. In hockey, he is a Second Team All-Skyland selection and has won a Skyland Championship. In basketball, Payne has won a Skyland Divisional Championship. He is an honor roll member.

Why Lafayette: I chose Lafayette because it felt like a great fit both academically and for baseball. I wanted to stay close enough to home where my parents would be able to make the games, but far enough where I was able to experience something new. 
 
Henry Rouch | RHP | 6-5 | Evanston, Ill. | Evanston Township
Rouch was a two-year starter in baseball for the Wildkits and a two-year member of the golf team.

Why Lafayette: I chose Lafayette because of the opportunities that it offers. It offers a great degree and an opportunity to fit into a baseball program and make a positive change. Lafayette allows me to be surrounded by people who are working towards similar goals as me. 
 
Cristian Soto | C | 5-10 | Bayville, N.J. | Central Regional
Soto started all four years for the Golden Eagles, batting .368 as a junior and winning a county championship as a freshman. He is a three-time All-Shore Conference selection and a three-time First Team All-Division selection. Soto is a four-year honor roll student.

Why Lafayette: I chose Lafayette because of how at home Coach Miller and Coach Luke made me feel. Along with that, I know I will be receiving the high-level academic experience that Lafayette has to offer. Can't wait for the next four, Roll Pards!
 
Trey Zaffiro | UTL | 6-3 | Manhasset, N.Y. | Manhasset Secondary
Zaffiro was a four-year starter in baseball for the Indians and a three-year member of the basketball team. On the diamond, Zaffiro was a pre-season All-Long Island selection and a Newsday Top 100 Long Island baseball player selection for 2024. He was an All-Conference selection in basketball as a senior, and won a state championship in 2022. Zaffiro is an honor roll member.

Why Lafayette: Lafayette has a great combination of culture, competition and education that made it an easy decision for me.