March 4, 2021 For Immediate Release
13 Local Players Headline 2021 Mustangs’ Roster
The St. Joseph Mustangs will feature a heavy dose of local talent, with 13 players from the St. Joseph area. The Mustangs also will see four players return from the 2019 MINK League Championship squad as they seek a seventh title this summer at historic Phil Welch Stadium.
Some familiar names that highlight the roster include two former Lafayette baseball players, Ike Book and Cole Slibowski. The Mustangs also feature Jaren Guck, from Bishop LeBlond, and Dawson Smith, who played at Central. Dawson is entering his third season with the Mustangs.
There will also be a number of former Savannah High School baseball players; Braden Berry, Micah Diamond, Dakota Spicer, Chase Spoonmore, and Noah Bodenhousen. East Buchanan’s Harper Beattie is also on the Mustangs ‘21 roster. Brady Holden, who played at Mid Buchanan High School, and Mack Stephenson, West Platte High School, will both be returning for the Mustangs. Drake Kanallakan is a former Mustangs player who will also be making his return. To go along with a large local group, manager Johnny Coy brings in a range of new players from Rhode Island to Japan. “These players are all so excited to come to St. Joe and put on the Mustang uniform,” Coy said. “St. Joe has a great reputation all across the country as one of the best places to play summer collegiate baseball. I am excited to see what they can do on the field and try to bring another championship back to our city.” Coach Coy has already penciled in his Opening Day starter, Mack Stephenson. Stephenson last pitched for the Mustangs in the Opening Game of the MINK League Championship series. Stephenson struck out five in six innings, while only giving up six hits and one run, in a victory. Coy’s coaching staff will feature former Mustangs pitcher Preston Bailey as the pitching coach, Jeremy Franke as hitting coach, both having coached with the team in previous years. New to the coaching in 2021 is Wes Sanger, who will serve as the Assistant Bench Coach.
Opening Day is scheduled for June 2, 2021. The full schedule can be found online at www.stjoemustangs.com. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 816.279.STJO
2021 St. Joseph Mustangs Roster
Catchers-
Reid Briney- Missouri Western State University
Jax Himell- Lamar CC
1st
Sean O’Malley- Salve Regina
2nd
Noah Bodenhousen- North Central Community College SAVANNAH HS
Ryosuke Tada- Japan
SS
Cole Slibowski- KCK LAFAYETTE HS
Harper Beattie-Benedictine EAST BUCH HS
3rd
Chase Spoonmore- Iowa Western SAVANNAH HS
Michael Paule- Jefferson College
OF
Brady Holden-Missouri Western State MID BUCH HS
Derrick Mayes-Southern University-
Sam Kissane-Lindenwood University
Dakota Spicer- Truman State SAVANNAH HS
Ike Book- Lincoln Trail LAFAYETTE HS
Jake Grauberger-Johnson County CC
Pitchers
Dawson Smith- Emporia State LHP CENTRAL HS
Mack Stephenson- William Jewell RHP WEST PLATTE HS
Justin Wood- Missouri Western State University
Drake Kanallakan-Maryville University
Will Hann-Barton Community College
Jaren Guck-Truman State BISHOP LEBLOND HS
Danny Hammond- Creighton
Jacob Wierich- Missouri Western University
Micah Diamond- Northeastern JC SAVANNAH HS
Braden Berry- Iowa Western SAVANNAH HS
Tyler Boyett- Southwestern
Jeremy Gutierrez- Salve Regina
Tanner Lukowski- Fort Hays University
Eli Tormes- KCK SMITHVILLE HS
Jay Greco-North Central Community College
Matt Fred- Texas Wesleyan University
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