Baseball Announces Five Signees for Fall of 2022 Class

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida baseball is excited to announce the signing of five new Ospreys for the fall of 2022 class. Joining North Florida is Brandon Adams, Finn Howell, Alex Lodise, Jakob Runnels and Jordan Wimpelberg.

"We're excited to have these new 2022 signees," head coach Tim Parenton said. "Our staff did a great job of recognizing quality student-athletes that fit into our program in order for us to succeed on and off the field. Want to be strong up the middle, and this class brings us quality players behind the plate, in the middle infield and on the mound."

Brandon Adams
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Ht/Wt: 6-4/180
B/T: R/R
Hometown: Orange Park, Fla.
Previous School: Clay High School
Class: Freshman

Stats and Achievements

Varsity letterwinner each year at Clay HS, playing for Josh Persinger and Travis Mcquaig.
Two-time pitching MVP and all-county pitcher.
Spun a no-hitter against St. Johns Country Day School as a sophomore.
Fanned 52
Fanned 19 with a 1.21 ERA as a sophomore.
Struck out 52 with a 1.37 ERA and a win as a junior.

Personal Info

Son of Alia and Steven Adams
Has two siblings, Brianna and Alyssa
Sister, Alyssa, plays softball at the College of Central Florida
Intends to major in sport management

Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because it is close to home, I built a good relationship with the coaches and it has my major."

Finn Howell
Position: RHP/INF
Ht/Wt: 6-0/185
B/T: R/R
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
Previous School: St. Johns Country Day
Class: Freshman

Stats and Achievements

Won the district title in 2019, 20 and 21.
Won the 2021 regional title
2021 state runner-up
All-conference honoree each year between 2018 and '21.
Pitching MVP
Preseason All-American (2020-21)
MVP of state semifinal game, spinning a complete game on the mound to go with a double and RBI.

Personal Info

Son of Erin and Tony Howell
Has one sibling, Ethan
NJHS member, earning Summa Cum Laude honors
Varsity high school experience since eighth grade, playing for Tom Lucas
Intends to major in engineering

Why UNF?
"I get to stay close to home in a great baseball environment and I'm excited to develop under a great coaching staff while studying engineering."

Alex Lodise
Position: SS
Ht/Wt: 6-1 / 180
B/T: R/R
Hometown: St. Augustine, Fla.
Previous School: Bartram Trail HS
Class: Freshman

Stats and Achievements

Varsity letterwinner for three seasons under coach Ryan Fitzpatrick
Has tallied multiple multi-home run games
Hit over .300 in each of his high school seasons
Freshman: .323 BA, 21 H, 19 R, 25 RBI, 8 SB
Sophomore: .306 BA, 8 H, 6 R, HR, 10 RBI, 2 SB
Junior: .327 BA, 24 H, 27 R, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 10 SB

Personal Info

Intends to major in sport management
Was born in Jacksonville, Fla.
Son of Cynthia and Billy Lodise
Has one sibling, Anthony
Father, Billy, played collegiate basketball

Why UNF?
"UNF is close to home and an absolutely great program!"

Jakob Runnels
Position: C
Ht/Wt: 5-10 / 200
B/T: R/R
Hometown: Winter Haven, Fla.
Previous School: St. Johns River State College
High School: Auburndale Senior High
Other Schools: College of Central Florida
Class: Junior

Stats and Achievements

Four-year varsity letterwinner at Auburndale Senior High
Played high school ball for Tom Taylor and David Saliba
2017 second team all-conference
2018 first team all-conference
2019 first team all-conference
2019 Polk County Catcher of the Year
Hit .510 with 17 hits, 19 RBI, 16 runs and seven home runs as a senior
2021 NJCAA Region 8 FCSAA All-Tournament Team
2021 Mid-Florida Conference First Team
Hit .257 with 29 hits, 22 runs, six home runs, 20 RBI and four steals in his first year of junior college ball.

Personal Info

Played junior college ball with St. Johns River State and the College of Central Florida
Favorite player is JT Realmuto
Mother is the most selfless person he knows
Favorite movie: "Wolf of Wall Street"
Intends to major in business
Son of Janie and Stacy Runnels
Has two siblings, Taylor and Brooke
Graduated high school with honors

Why UNF?
"When I went on a tour of the school and the baseball facilities it felt like the right fit and I'm excited to play for the baseball coaching staff at UNF!"

Jordan Wimpelberg
Position: C
Ht/Wt: 6-2 / 192
B/T: R/R
Hometown: Winter Springs, Fla.
Previous School: St. Johns River State College
High School: Winter Springs HS
Class: Junior

Stats and Achievements

2019 Cy Young award honoree
MVP 2020
Cy Young award honoree in 2020
Pitched a complete game shutout against Matt Allan as a junior
Went 2-2 with a 5.83 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 29.1 innings in his first year of junior college ball

Personal Info

Intends to major in business administration
Son of Jennifer and Raymond Wimpelberg
Has one sibling, Joey
Favorite baseball player: Jacob deGrom
Greatest inspiration: My father
Favorite movie: "Benchwarmers"

Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because of the coaching staff and the facilities."

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