The Creighton Bluejays baseball team welcomes the largest recruiting class in school history to begin workouts to get set for the upcoming season. While this year’s team is set, the staff continues to build the program for years to come. Recruiting has really ramped up over the last couple of years. A byproduct of their success came when Jays’ assistant coach Rich Wallace was named Big East recruiter of the year.

Recently the Bluejays welcomed Jackson Stoeckinger to campus for an official visit. Stoeckinger, is 6-4, 225 lbs. left handed pitcher from College of Central Florida. He is ranked as one of the top 100 JUCO recruits in the country. Bluejay Banter had a chance to catch up with Jackson when he was here in Omaha for his visit.

BJB: Has baseball always been your favorite sport?

JS: Yes it always has been. I enjoyed basketball as well but baseball has always been my favorite sport.

BJB: You played high school baseball in Kentucky. Tell us about your high school career?

JS: It was pretty successful. I transferred from Henry Clay in Lexington to Mercer County High School in Harrisburg Kentucky. Our team went to the state championship two of my three years and I got to pitch in the championship game.

BJB: After high school where did you start your college career?

JS: I went to Southeastern Community College in Iowa where I had a good freshman season. I then transferred to the College of Central Florida.

BJB: You only got in a couple of games because of injury last year correct?

JS: Yes. I had Tommy John surgery in March. I only pitched in a couple of games but my arm was hurting. But I’m ten and half months out from the surgery now and my arm feels great.

BJB: Tell us about your pitching style

JS: I pitch off my fastball which is 89 to 92 mph. Good breaking ball and good change up.

BJB: What teams have shown interest in you besides Creighton?

JS: West Virginia, Central Michigan, Eastern Kentucky and Auburn

BJB: Do you have a timetable on your decision?

JS: No I am leaving my options open right now. I have a couple more visits to take. But Creighton has definitely put an impact on me.

BJB: Tell us about your visit to CU. What impressed you the most?

JS: I like how the campus is centrally located. I like that it’s a smaller enrollment, that’s a plus. The most impressive thing was TD Ameritrade Park. That place is unreal. I haven’t gone to the CWS but I have always watched it on TV. And I have known some pitchers who have pitched there.

BJB: Have they talked to you about how it’s a pitcher’s ballpark?

JS: Oh yeah and I could see that watching games on TV. The ball definitely does not fly.

To get top 100 recruits on campus is huge for the future of Creighton baseball. Players like Jackson Stoeckinger will only help the Jays in their quest to be competitive against teams all across the country and to get back to the College World Series.