SAN FRANCISCO – Looking to follow up its first ever postseason appearance after winning the Pacific West Conference Northern California pod, Academy of Art baseball and Head Coach Dan McDermott has announced the first wave of its 2022 recruiting class. Joining the Urban Knights for spring 2022 are pitcher Brian Kraft (San Diego/Pacific University Ore.), outfielder Charles Morgan (Vista, Calif./New Mexico Highlands), infielder/outfielder Patrick Morgan (Vista, Calif./College of the Redwoods), and pitcher Andrew McAlpin (San Diego/Grossmont College).

"All four of these guys are outstanding in the classroom and their work ethic both on and off the field is unmatched," McDermott said.

Brian Kraft comes to the Urban Knights as a freshman despite having spent last season with Pacific University (Ore.) where he appeared in 12 games as a pitcher, including 11 starts, logging a 3-2 record. The southpaw posted a 5.06 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP, striking out 34 batters while walking 30 in 37.1 innings pitched. Prior to college, Kraft graduated from Torrey Pines High School in 2020 where he played varsity baseball for three seasons, and has additionally played for the Trosky Redbirds baseball program. A member of an athletic family, Kraft's father Michael was on the rowing team for the Naval Academy while his twin sister Megan plays beach volleyball for USC. Listing his favorite sports moment as the time he tossed a no-hitter in his final start on the mound in high school while and his favorite non-sport hobbies as gardening and drawing, Kraft is enrolled in the School of Visual Development at ART U with an ultimate career goal of creating character design and concept art.

"Brian is a big lefty who has really been impressive this fall," McDermott said. "He profiles as a starting pitcher for us and will get that opportunity immediately. Brian pitched a lot last year at Pacific University, he started eleven games for the Boxers and has post-season experience from there. We are fortunate that he transferred to ART U because of our Animation & Visual Design major."

Roaming the outfield, Charles Morgan joins ART U as a junior after spending the previous two seasons with New Mexico Highlands where he played in 25 games including 20 starts, batting .286 (22-for-77) with 22 runs scored and 10 RBI. He also provided some pop at the plate, recording five doubles and two home runs while also going 2-for-4 (.500) in stolen base opportunities. Prior to college, Charles graduated from Rancho Buena Vista High School where he played varsity baseball for two seasons, and also played for the San Diego Waves travel baseball team. Charles joined the School of Communications & Media Technologies following his arrival at Academy of Art.

"Charles is a very strong hitter and outstanding defensive outfielder," McDermott said. "He can play all three positions and is a tremendous addition to our program. Chuck has only one speed and that is 100 percent - he hustles all of the time and is a great example to the younger players."

Patrick Morgan, brother of Charles, enters Academy of Art as a freshman athletically, though he spent the previous two seasons as an infielder/outfielder at the College of the Redwoods where he batted .234 (18-for-77) in 26 games with 11 runs scored and six RBI. Additionally, Patrick snagged a few extra-base hits by recording three doubles, one triple and one home run while also going 2-for-4 (.500) in stolen base opportunities. Prior to college, Patrick graduated from Rancho Buena Vista High School in 2019 where he played varsity baseball for two seasons, and has also played travel baseball with the San Diego Reign. His favorite sports moment was his walk-off double in the playoffs. Patrick entered ART U's School of Communications & Media Technologies with the goal of one day working for ESPN or MLB Network.

"Patrick continually is working on his game and spends a lot of time in both the batting cages and the weight room," McDermott said. "He has excellent power and will play both second base and left field for us."

Standing at 6-2 as a right-handed pitcher, Andrew McAlpin comes to ART U as a freshman after making two previous stops Grossmont College (2021) and Northwest Nazarene (2020) where he played baseball. Before college, the San Diego native graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 2019 where he played varsity baseball for two seasons, being named named All-League First Team in 2018 while also being selected to the All-Academic Team in both 2018 and 2019. McAlpin will join the School of Communications & Media Technologies upon his arrival at ART U with the goal of becoming a sports reporter.

"Andrew is a right-handed pitcher who we are really counting on as an integral part of our pitching staff next year," McDermott said. "He has great potential and tools. We look forward to great things from him in the future."