SAN DIEGO - The 2019 season will be a year of firsts for new Point Loma head coach Justin James, and today he officially announced the signees from his first recruiting class.
 
Made up of five pitchers, four right-handed and one left-handed, one catcher and two infielders, all will join the Sea Lions in Fall of 2019.
 
Here is a look at all the members of the recruiting class with a quote from coach James:
 
Andrew Amato, 5-10, 185 lbs, R/R, P, Fremont, Calif. (John F. Kennedy HS/Ohlone College)
The lone junior college transfer of the class, Amato joins Point Loma after playing last season at Ohlone College. While at Ohlone, Amato was a second team All-Coast Conference selection while playing for coach Mike Curran. He posted a 1.35 earned run average and two saves, with 33 strikeouts over 40 innings, while allowing just two walks. While at JFKHS, Amato was a two-time all-league selection and a scholar-athlete. He also tossed a no-hitter against American HS.

Coach James on Amato: "Andrew is going to be a great addition to our pitching staff. He's going to make an immediate impact and has a chance to be one of the best pitchers in the conference. Andrew separates himself with his work ethic and growth mindset. He pounds the zone and has the mound presence we're looking for."
 
Scott Anderson, 6-0, 180 lbs, R/R, INF, Carlsbad, Calif. (Sage Creek HS)
Anderson joins Point Loma as the 15th ranked third baseman in the state California by Perfect Game. He was named to the Rawlings Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All-American after hitting .317 as a sophomore with 13 doubles and 17 runs batted in. Anderson helped lead SCHS to a CIF Championship that season and to the semifinals as a junior. Anderson spent his summers playing for Team California under head coach Mitch Spiers.

Coach James on Anderson: "Scott is an excellent person with a great family. Scott has the potential to be a versatile college baseball player. He gives us flexibility to play multiple infield positions and can handle the bat. We are very excited to have him join our family."
 
Connor Brady, 6-0, 180 lbs, R/R, C, Chino Hills, Calif. (Chino Hills HS)
Ranked the 49th catcher in the state of California, according to Perfect Game, Brady hit .370 with 16 runs batted in as a junior. He was named first team all-league and was CHHS team MVP, in addition to earning scholar-athlete honors. He was a two-time Preseason Underclass All-American selection by Perfect Game. Brady also played summer ball for the California Baseball Academy.

Coach James on Brady: "Connor has the potential to be a really good college catcher. His catch and throw ability will put him in position to make an impact and make our pitching staff better. Connor possesses a great attitude and work ethic. He fits our programs needs very well."
 
Cole Hillier, 6-1, 195lbs, R/R, P, Glendora, Calif. (Glendora HS)
Hillier will add another quality arm to the recruiting class. Last season as a junior, he went 4-2 with a 1.18 earned run average over 47.1 innings, while striking out 25 and walking 13. He earned first team all-league honors and was named a scholar-athlete in both baseball and football. He played for coach Dan Henley at GHS and for the SGV Hustle in the summer.

Coach James on Hillier: "Cole has a great family and has the potential to be a great arm in our program for many years. He goes right after hitters and can mix pitches if needed. He also has Point Loma ties which are always special. We are happy to have him and his family. He's a great student and will fit right into our culture."
  
Seth Ryberg, 6-1, 170 lbs, L/R, INF, Renton, Wash. (Liberty HS)
Ryberg caught the eyes of the PLNU coaches with a strong performance in summer ball. He played for the Dragons Elite in the summer and was named to Baseball Northwest Watch List for the 2019 class. Ryberg played his high school ball at Liberty HS for coach John Martin.

Coach James on Ryberg: "Seth is simply a good player. His actions in the infield will benefit us immediately. He's projecting to be a solid left-handed hitting infielder for us. He has a great outlook on life and loves to train, which sets him up for the future very well."
 
Matthew Schlesener, 6-3, 210 lbs, R/R, P, San Diego (Torrey Pines HS)
Schlesener was a member of the 2018 CIF Open Division Championships, and the fourth ranked team in California (17th nationally), according to MaxPreps. Last season, Schlesener went 6-1 with a 3.04 earned run average, while striking out 20 and walking just three, over 27.2 innings. Schlesener was also a standout with the bat, hitting .267 with five doubles and two home runs for coach Kirk McCaskill and the Falcons. He played summer ball for the Trosky Redbirds under head coach Jon Leukens and was ranked as top 400 player in the state of California (22nd first baseman).

Coach James on Schlesener: "We are extremely excited to get Matthew into our pitching program. He fits our philosophy on and off the field. We think Matthew has a chance to be very special and make an impact. He has a large frame and possesses the ability to pitch with his off-speed which is vital at our level."
 
Zachary Veen, 6-0, 195 lbs, L/L, P, Eastvale, Calif. (Eleanor Roosevelt HS)
Veen brings another quality left-handed arm to the PLNU pitching staff. He is ranked as a top 400 player in the state of California by Perfect Game (34th left-handed pitcher). He was named to the Perfect Game all-tournament team. Veen played his high school ball at ERHS under coaches Mark Wade and Kyle Billingsley, and his summer ball for the So Cal Birds, coached by Mike Cosgrove.

Coach James on Veen: "Zach is going to be an excellent addition to our staff and can contribute right away. He attacks hitters and pitches within our philosophy and trains as our staff does. Middle 80s fastball as a left-handed freshman will help him earn innings. Zach has a bright future."
 
Chase Woodward, 6-0, 185 lbs, R/R, P, Thousand Oaks, Calif. (Oaks Christian HS)
Woodward is another signee ranked in the top 400 by Perfect Game. He was a two-time Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All-American. Woodward threw a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts while playing for OCHS and coach Royce Clayton. He played summer ball for the Garciaparra Baseball Group. Woodward is also an outstanding all-around athlete as he also earned team offensive MVP honors in football.

Coach James on Veen: "Chase loves to attack batters which is something we look for in our staff. He has a late break that tunnels well with his off-speed stuff. His future looks promising. He is going to fit well into our pitching program, and we are excited to see him take off."
 
The eight newcomers will join a PLNU baseball team that went 34-18 in 2018, and earned the first NCAA West Regional win in program history.