SAN FRANCISCO – Having lost many familiar names from last season and with the 2023 campaign mere days away, it's time to meet the new faces that have joined Academy of Art baseball for the 2023 campaign. The Urban Knights conclude the series with graduate student catcher Peter Torres, freshman outfielder Tyson Wallace, freshman first baseman Michael Wiborn, and freshman outfielder/pitcher Demarae Woods. 

Peter Torres (Fairfield, Calif./Clarke University)
Torres enters Academy of Art as a graduate student transfer from Clarke University. Prior to that, the catcher previously competed in baseball for Santa Rosa Junior College where he hit .280 with 16 runs scored, five RBI, two doubles, one triple, and one stolen base in 50 at-bats as a sophomore. 
 
Before his collegiate career, the Fairfield, Calif. native was a two-sport student-athlete at Vanden High School, spending multiple years on varsity in baseball (three) and soccer (two). He was a three-time All-League honoree in baseball, and was also a member of the chess club.
 
He is currently enrolled in the School of Communications & Media Technologies to earn his master's degree. 

"Peter brings so much to the ta ble, he is an oustanding catcher with great defensive siills and a motor that is always on high," said ART U Head Coach Dan McDermott. "He also looks to be one of our most consistent hitters with gap-to-gap power and the ability to hit for average. He is a ghreat leader and it is like having another coach on the field."
 
Tyson Wallace (Fairfield, Calif../Benicia High School)
A true freshman as he begins at Academy of Art, Wallace was a two-sport student-athlete at Benicia High School, playing varsity baseball and football each for three years. Three times he was selected team captain, once All-League, and once the Defensive Player of the Year in baseball. Also handy with the bat, the outfielder hit .289 with three doubles, two triples, 18 runs scored, seven RBI, and six stolen bases in 24 games as a senior. 
 
In addition to his baseball career, the Fairfield, Calif. native was a two-time team captain, two-time All-League, and once All-State in football. On the gridiron, he threw for 1,780 yards and 24 touchdowns while also rushing for 124 yards in 10 games as a senior. 
 
Additionally, Wallace has competed for his club team, the NorCal Cardinal for four years. He is currently enrolled in the School of Communications & Media Technologies. 

"Tyson is a solid and consistent player who can play any outfield position," McDermott said. "He is a complete package and makes our team better in so many ways, his future as a ballplayer is bright and all he needs is the experience to continue his development."
 
Michael Wiborn (Pleasanton, Calif./Oholone College)
Wiborn starts at Academy of Art as a freshman despite transferring from Oholone College where the first baseman hit .214 with two doubles, three runs scored, and three RBI over 14 games. Prior to his collegiate career, the Pleasanton, Calif. native was a varsity letter winner in baseball at Amador Valley High School. While there, he batted .307 with eight doubles, two triples, one home run, 18 runs scored, 15 RBI, and three stolen bases in 41 games played as a junior and senior.
 
He is currently enrolled in the School of Communications & Media Technologies. 

"Michael is a coveted dual left-handed pitcher and first baseman who is rapidly improving as he is catching up after sitting out a year," McDermott said. "He will relieve for us and be a late inning defensive replacement. He is one of the most popular and hard-working players on the team and I can't wait to see how far he can continue to improve."
 
Demarae Woods (Spring Valley, Calif./Helix High School)
Yet another true freshman in the class, Woods was a two-sport student-athlete at Helix High School, playing varsity baseball and football where the combo outfielder/pitcher was named All-League Second Team in baseball. Over his senior season, the Spring Valley, Calif. native hit .242 with six home runs, three doubles, 15 runs scored, 18 RBI, and four stolen bases in 23 games. Additionally, he has competed for his club team, GBG San Diego.
 
Born to an athletic family, his relative Deandre Woods competed in track & field at Cal State Fullerton. 
 
He is currently enrolled in the School of Communications & Media Technologies. 

"Demarae is blessed with great speed and, at the end of the day, will be one of the best playes of this recruiting class," McDermott said. "He is the jewel of the four freshman position players who makes this group so special. Coach [Elijah] Smith did such a great job identifying these guys. It is a core group that would make any program proud."