UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa – The Penn State baseball program, led by Head Coach Rob Cooper, signed six players to its 2022 class on National Signing Day on Wednesday.
The Nittany Lions' signing class includes two players from Pennsylvania, two from North Carolina and two from Ohio.
The class also features a pair of two-way players, three middle infielders, one catcher, one outfielder and three pitchers.
Penn State returns 24 members from the 2021 squad that won 18 games, playing against exclusively Big Ten opponents. The Nittany Lions welcome 17 newcomers, including four transfers. Penn State's returners include second team All-Big Ten catcher Matt Wood.
The Nittany Lions finished the 2021 season with 18 wins, playing against exclusively Big Ten opponents. The wins included a 3-2 victory over No. 18 Michigan on March 26 and a series sweep over Michigan State in which Penn State out-scored the Spartans, 39-13. Penn State scored 10 or more runs in six games, the blue and white's most against Big Ten opponents since 2008 (8) and the most in a season since 2016.
Penn State led the Big Ten in doubles (93) and doubles per game (2.21), ranking 11th in the country in doubles per game. The Nittany Lions sat third in the conference in batting average (.269). Penn State hit 34 home runs, its most since 2012, and had five players with four or more homers.
CJ Carmichael
6-1/170 | R/R | MINF | Lancaster, Ohio/Bloom Carroll
HIGH SCHOOL
Played at Bloom Carroll High School for head coach Jason Vest…Led Bloom Carroll to district and regional titles and a state championship appearance in 2021…Was a two-time first team All-League selection…Named first team All-District as a junior…In 2021, batted .433 with a .519 on-base percentage, a .522 slugging percentage and 18 stolen bases…In his high school career, owned a .368 average and a .457 on-base percentage with 35 stolen bases…Ranked as the No. 42 overall prospect and No. 14 shortstop in Ohio by Perfect Game…Rated as the No. 24 overall prospect and No. 7 shortstop in Ohio by Prep Baseball Report…Played travel ball for the Mizuno Outlaws.
PERSONAL
Son of Kristi and Eric Carmichael…Has a brother, Nathan Romine…Intends to major in communications to pursue a career in sports journalism.
Cooper on Carmichael: "CJ is a frontline middle infielder who plays the game with an extremely high motor. He has advanced defensive skills for a young player and loves to compete."
Jacob Coffin
6-0/160 | S/L | LHP | Apex, N.C./Pro5 Baseball Academy
HIGH SCHOOL
Played at Pro5 Baseball Academy for head coach Mike Griffin…Led Pro5 Baseball Academy to an NAA Conference Championship…In 2021, recorded a 1.79 ERA in 31.1 innings while striking out 38…Played travel ball for TPA Nationals.
PERSONAL
Son of Leanne and Jake Coffin…Has a sister, Madison…Father, Jake, played baseball at Hastings College in Nebraska…Intending to major in finance.
Cooper on Coffin: "Jacob is an athletic pitcher who brings a unique dynamic with his ability to throw sidearm. He has the ability to generate swings-and-misses with his fastball and breaking ball. Another competitive young man who will have an opportunity to make an impact as freshman."
James Lordi
6-0/185 | L/L | LHP/OF | Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe Area
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a four-year letterwinner at Jim Thorpe Area High School for head coach Joe Marykwas…Served as a team captain in 2021…Was a two-time Schuykill All-League honoree…Earned Lehigh Valley Morning Call All-Area accolades and three Perfect Game All-Atlantic Region honors…As a junior, batted .345. On the mound, went 3-1 with 55 strikeouts in 22 innings while holding opposing hitters to a .193 average…Rated as the No. 29 overall prospect and No. 6 LHP in Pennsylvania, and 118th LHP nationally, by Perfect Game…Ranked as the No. 86 overall prospect and No. 9 LHP in Pennsylvania by Prep Baseball Report…Played travel ball for the GSA Gatorz and Northeast Pride.
PERSONAL
Son of James and Kristy Lordi…Has a sister, Madison…Intends to major in business.
Cooper on Lordi: "James is an impact two-way player. He has advanced feel on the mound and will get better with strength. He has a smooth offensive approach as a hitter with the ability to play multiple outfield positions."
Jimmy Nugent
6-2/200 | R/R | C | Hamilton, Ohio/Stephen T. Badin
HIGH SCHOOL
Played at Stephen T. Badin High School for head coach Brion Treadway…Led Badin to a 29-6 record, a district championship, regional championship and a Division II state semifinals appearance…Was an all-state second team selection…As a junior, batted .426 with 23 hits, three doubles, four triples and 13 RBI. Tallied a .560 on-base percentage and .630 slugging percentage…Rated as the No. 45 overall prospect and No. 3 catcher in Ohio by Prep Baseball Report…Played travel ball for CBC Blackhawks.
PERSONAL
Son of Jim and Tammy Nugent…Has an older sister, Hannah…Intends to major in kinesiology to pursue a career in sports medicine.
Cooper on Nugent: "Tough-minded, blue-collar baseball player who possesses advanced defensive skills. He has the leadership skills to lead a pitching staff on a daily basis. Jimmy will make a strong push to make an impact as a freshman."
Ty Torti
5-11/184 | S/R | MINF | Raleigh, N.C./Pro5 Baseball Academy
HIGH SCHOOL
Torti played at Pro5 Baseball Academy for Head Coach Mike Griffin…As a junior, Torti batted .333 with a .517 on-base percentage and a .898 OPS…In his prep career, Torti held a .345 average, a .543 on-base percentage and a .901 OPS…Led Pro5 Baseball Academy to a 2021 NAA Conference Academy Championship…Rated as the 114th overall prospect and 19th SS in North Carolina by Perfect Game and 64th overall prospect and 13th SS by Prep Baseball Report…Played travel ball for East Coast Clippers and Dirtbags.
PERSONAL
Son of Michael and Allyson Torti…Has two sisters, Tiernan and Tess…Father, Michael, played baseball at the University of Miami and for the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds…Planning to major in Business, Architecture and Design to pursue a career in architecture.
Cooper on Torti: "Ty is a competitive, blue-collar baseball player. He has the ability to stay in the middle of the diamond defensively with an above-average arm. He has an extremely high baseball IQ to go along with a strong desire to win."
Brandon Wingenroth
6-1/170 | R/R | MINF/RHP | Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Catholic
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a three-year letterwinner at Lancaster Catholic for head coach Steve Remley…Helped Lancaster Catholic to a 14-7 record…Led Lancaster Catholic to two Section 4 Lancaster Lebanon League Championships and a District 3 semifinals…As a junior, batted .444 with 19 hits, three homers, 16 RBI and 19 runs. Tallied a .584 on-base percentage and a .681 slugging percentage…Earned a 1.10 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched and a .186 opponent batting average…Was a Section 4 Lancaster Lebanon League All Star…Was a two-time Perfect Game Underclass All-American…Rated as the No. 45 overall prospect and No. 7 SS in Pennsylvania by Perfect Game…Ranked as the No. 47 overall prospect and No. 8 SS in Pennsylvania by Prep Baseball Report…Played travel ball for the Keystone War Eagles, Crossbridge Raiders and Keystone State Bombers.
PERSONAL
Son of Michael and Michelle Wingenroth…Has a brother, Nathan, and a sister, Alyssa…Father, Michael, attended Penn State…Intends to major in business with a focus in sports management.
Cooper on Wingenroth: "Brandon is a legitimate two-way player. He has the athleticism to play in the middle of the diamond with good bat to ball skills. Brandon also has a high ceiling as a pitcher and will only get better with strength."
