MALIBU, California – Head coach Rick Hirtensteiner of the Pepperdine baseball team announced today that four high school pitchers have signed National Letters-of-Intent. Jack Carey, Braden Guentz, Wyatt Nichol and Matthew Queen will be joining the Waves in the fall of 2023.
 
Here's some more information on the Pepperdine signees:
 
Jack Carey, LHP
Denver, Colo./Regis Jesuit HS
 
Earned All-Academic first team honors back-to-back years his sophomore and junior year … Plays club ball with the Colorado Yard Dawgs … Had 55 strikeouts through 39 innings pitched this summer with the Colorado Yard Dawgs.
 
Carey on choosing Pepperdine: "I chose Pepperdine because it not only allows me to succeed in baseball, but it also allows me to learn and grow in my faith. The community at Pepperdine is like no other and feels like home. Pepperdine's academic reputation also gives me a chance to succeed in the classroom and grow as a student."
 
Hirtensteiner on Carey: "Jack is a left-handed pitcher who fills up the strike zone and generates a lot of swing and miss with his stuff. Jack has a projectable frame and high ceiling and I expect him to make an immediate impact on the mound for the Waves."
 
Braden Guentz, RHP
Clovis, Calif./Buchanan HS
 
A two-time CIF champion and helped Buchanan to a Valley championship … Plays club ball with NorCal Black 2023 … Dad did crew at UC Santa Barbara.
 
Guentz on choosing Pepperdine: "I wanted to go to Pepperdine for their great academics and business college, for their strong religious faith among the community, and finally, for their beautiful campus location in a place where I would love to live and grow."
 
Hirtensteiner on Guentz: "Braden is a right-handed pitcher with a projectable frame who has a live arm and a high spin rate on his pitches. The metrics on his pitches are very good and Braden will be a big part of the Waves' pitching staff in 2024."
 
Wyatt Nichol, RHP
Laguna Niguel, Calif./Crean Lutheran HS
 
Threw six innings against Chino Hills High School only allowing two hits … Earned a save against Segerstrom High School leaving the bases stranded and collected two strikeouts … Plays club for Whitecaps Baseball … Threw a no-hitter and complete game against So-Cal Birds with 12 strikeouts … Mom ran track at James Madison University.
 
Nichol on choosing Pepperdine: "Pepperdine was the perfect fit for me because of the religious background, the academic and athletic reputation, the overall culture of the baseball program, and the connection I had with the coaches. I am excited to become a part of the family and grow relationships with the players and coaches."
 
Hirtensteiner on Nichol: "Wyatt is a right-handed pitcher with tons of movement on his fastball and is very athletic on the mound. He loves to pitch and compete on the mound. Wyatt is an ultimate teammate and is a great fit for the Pepperdine baseball culture."
 
Matthew Queen, RHP
Manhattan, N.Y./Poly Prep Country Day School
 
Will be a four-year varsity performer and captained the Poly Prep Country Day School … Helped Poly Prep to a 2022 NYSAIS state championship … Named the 2022 team MVP … Plays club ball for Body Armor Titans … Named to the 2021-22 Perfect Game Preseason All-American List.
 
Queen on choosing Pepperdine: "For the last couple of years, Pepperdine has been my dream college to attend. I felt extremely blessed when I was offered the opportunity to play for such a coveted baseball program, as well as the privilege to receive an incredible education. Also, it is important to me to be in an environment where I can continue to learn about, and develop my relationship with God."
 
Hirtensteiner on Queen: "Matt is an athletic right-handed pitcher with a live arm. HIs fastball has been as high as 92 and has a good repertoire of off speed pitches. Matt loves to compete on the mound and I am anxious to see him in a Waves uniform for the 2024 season."