BATTLE CREEK, MI – The OnStaff Group Recruiting Trail is bringing two midwesterners to Battle Creek. Less than 40 days from home opener at C.O. Brown Stadium, the Bombers have signed two from the Fighting Irish. Nick Podkul and Eric Gilgenbach of the University of Notre Dame will suit up for the red and black this summer.
Nick Podkul: 6’2’’, 195 lbs, INF, freshman, (Bats: R/Throws: R), Schererville, Indiana
After helping Andrean High School win back-to-back Indiana Class 3A state championships as a junior and senior, Podkul has stepped right in at Notre Dame, earning some playing time on the infield. The freshman has played in 19 games this season, starting 15, while batting .362 with a .479 on-base percentage and a .483 slugging percentage. In 58 at-bats, Podkul has 21 hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 12 runs and 9 RBIs. He’s also walked 11 times and stolen one base.
In the field Podkul has a .968 fielding percentage and has committed just one error. Coming out of high school, Podkul was named the second-best shortstop in Indiana and the 22nd–best player overall by Perfect Game. As a senior, Podkul was earned first team all-conference honors. Podkul also earned letters in basketball in high school. He is enrolled in First Year of Studies.
Eric Gilgenbach: 6’2’’, 210 lbs, OF/INF, freshman, (Bats: R/Throws: R), Rochester Hills, Michigan
Gilgenbach graduated from Stoney Creek High School in June 2015 after earning four letters in both basketball and baseball. Gilgenback was ranked the No. 1 third baseman and the No. 7 player overall in Michigan and the 36th-ranked third baseman nationally by Perfect Game. As a senior, Gilgenbach was named preseason first team all-state before hitting .400/.568/.633 with 36 hits, 10 doubles, three homers, 27 walks and 25 runs scored in 32 games played. He also posted a 7-3 record with a 2.23 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 59.2 innings of work on the mound.
Gilgenbach was named all-league, all-district and all-region and also earned academic all-district accolades. Gilgenbach is enrolled in First Year of Studies at Notre Dame.
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