Former, Current, and Incoming Vikings Selected in MLB Draft  
The Jefferson College Viking baseball program was on display during the 2017 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.  A total of five players with connections to the Vikings were selected, three former players, one current player, and one incoming recruit.  When sophomore, Troy Newell (Francis Howell Central), was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 33^rd round I, it marked the 9^th consecutive year a Viking was selected.  Former players Doug Still (Sikeston, MO), Anthony Herron (Affton HS), and Justin Paulsen (CBC HS) were all drafted out of Missouri State University.  Still and Herron played their first two seasons of college baseball with the Vikings (2015 & 2016) while Paulsen went to Missouri State after his freshman season with the Vikings in 2014.

Viking Alum Signs Professional Contract
A former Viking recently signed a professional contract with the River City Rascals of the Frontier League (Independent).  Trent Leimkuehler (Borgia HS) played for the Vikings in 2013 and 2014 before transferring to Saint Louis University.  Leimkuehler was an All-Region & All-Conference player for the Vikings and earned Atlantic-10 All-Conference honors this past year for the Billikens.

Joey Hawkins Joins Viking Coaching Staff
Joey Hawkins grew up in Toronto, Ontario playing for the highly regarded Ontario Blue Jays as well as the Canadian 18u National Team. Hawkins went on to be drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2011 and played collegiately at Missouri State University. At MSU he captained the Bears for the 2014 and 2015 seasons and helped lead them to hosting a 2015 regional and advance to the 2015 NCAA Super Regional as the starting shortstop. Also in 2015 he helped guide the Bears to the most wins in school history and took home 2nd Team All-Conference and Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year awards. Upon finishing his college career, Hawkins was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and played for two seasons across four different levels. Hawkins also spent his off seasons working college and high school camps as well as running the Next Level hitting program for 2k Sports in Springfield, MO.  Hawkins will be a volunteer assistant coach and will work with the Viking infielders and hitters.  He will also assist in recruiting.

Three Vikings Earn All-Region Honors
The tradition of earning post-season awards continues with three Vikings earning All-Region honors.  Sophomore’s Troy Newell, Cole Bornhop, and Ryan Mantle all were selected to the All-Region team.  Newell went 11-1 on the mound for the Vikings with a 1.40 ERA.  Newell will be moving on to Western Kentucky University.  Cole Bornhop was a unanimous selection as catcher, Bornhop hit .331 on the season with 8 HR’s and handled a pitching staff that was among the best nationally in several categories.  Bornhop will be playing at Southeast Missouri State University next season.  Ryan Mantle earned All-Region honors as an infielder.  Mantle led the Vikings batting .370 with a team high 11 HR’s, he will be attending Creighton University for his junior season.

Another Viking Makes Commitment
Right-handed pitcher Jacob Voss recently made his commitment to continue his baseball and academic career at Creighton University.  Voss was dominant in his role out of the bullpen for the Vikings with 37 K’s in only 17.1 IP.  Voss will be joining his teammates Jordan Hovey and Ryan Mantle at Creighton, which competes in the Big East Conference.  Voss is the 11^th Viking from the 2017 roster to commit to an NCAA Division-I institution.

Vikings Fall in Region XVI Championship
The top-seeded Jefferson College Vikings started off the Region XVI Tournament on the wrong foot. The Vikings lost their opening round game verse Mineral Area College, but were able to rebound and win their next three games against St. Louis CC, Mineral Area College, and Crowder College to force the (if needed) championship game.  Unfortunately, the Vikings ran out of gas and lost to Crowder College in the final game of the tournament 17-6.  Although the Vikings fell short of their goals, the team finished with a 45-14 overall record and won their 11^th consecutive Midwest Community College Athletic Conference Championship. 

Vikings Capture 11^th Consecutive Conference Title
The Jefferson College baseball team earned its 11^th consecutive Midwest Community College Athletic Conference Championship after sweeping a doubleheader last week vs. Mineral Area College.  The Vikings finished the regular season with a record of 16-2 in conference and 40-12 overall.  This marks back to back 40-win seasons for the Vikings and their 5^th season of 40+ wins in the last 8 years.

Siebenberger Commits to Mizzou
Redshirt-Freshman pitcher/outfielder Cody Siebenberger (Freeburg, IL) recently committed to the University of Missouri to continue his baseball and academic career.  He will be the 7^th Viking to commit to the Tigers since 2010.  He is the 8^th player from the 2017 Vikings to commit to an NCAA Division-I institution.

Former Viking Earns Pitcher of the Week Honors
Former Viking pitcher, Pat Schnieders, earned Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week Honors for his performance on the mound this past Saturday.  Schnieders, currently a senior at University of Evansville, pitched 5 innings of hitless baseball while striking out 11 batters in their game vs. University of Central Arkansas.

Two Sophomores Earn Pre-Season Recognition
Sophomores Spencer Juergens (Washington, MO) and Ryan Mantle (Linn, MO) were recognized by Perfect Game as being one of the Top 100 Junior College Prospects for the 2017 MLB Draft.  Juergens is committed to the University of Houston for his junior season and Mantle is committed to Creighton University.  The Vikings open the 2017 season on February 11^th in Millington, Tennessee.

Seventh Viking Makes Commitment
Sophomore outfielder Ryan Fish (Oak Park, IL) signed with University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) on the final day of the NCAA early signing period.  UTRGV is an NCAA Division-I Institution that plays in the Western Athletic Conference.  Fish is the 7^th member of the 2016-2017 Vikings to sign with an NCAA Division-I institution.