Del City’s Cline picked up by Bronchos

Josh Cline

Credits: Mark Hancock

The Bronchos signed seven state high school standouts and added nine junior college transfers, with the bulk of that group expected to contribute immediately. Leone took over as head coach last summer and led the Bronchos to a 24-23 record in 2011, with the UCO winning 10 of their last 11 games to finish with a flourish.

“This is a very special group because it is really our first true recruiting class here at UCO,” Leone said. “Our main focus in this class was to get tough, bluecollar-minded players who have a passion for Broncho baseball. It’s a good nucleus of high school and junior college student-athletes who will represent the university in a positive way. We believe that the biggest strength of our program is recruiting, no question about it. My coaching staff has developed great relationships over the past 11 years with Oklahoma high school coaches and all the junior colleges in the region. Hopefully, this class will produce right away and lay a solid foundation for many years to come here at UCO.”

High school players signing with the Bronchos were utility player Jackson Matthews and pitcher Easton Mitchell of Edmond Santa Fe, catcher Tanner Bell and infielder Hunter Marcum of Purcell, pitcher Hayden Sharp of Morris, outfielder Cooper Ansell of Shawnee and pitcher Josh Cline (right) of Del City.

Joining UCO from the junior-college ranks will be pitchers Alex Coplon and Ryan Miller of Labette, Kan.; infielders Nathan Lucas and Brandon Mason of Rose State; catcher Eric Garza and infielder Brayden Little of Vernon, Texas; outfielder Jake Parsons of Fort Scott, Kan.; outfielder/pitcher Derek Towler of Murray State; and pitcher/ infielder Edgar Lopez of Arizona.

Pitcher Trent Scrivner of Eastern Oklahoma also will join the team this year after signing with the Bronchos last fall.

“Josh Cline is probably one of the best-kept secrets in the metro. He is an 85-88 mph guy with a very loose arm. He doesn’t have some of the accolades of the other guys, but he is every bit as talented. We’re really excited about his future here at UCO.”