Baseball Signs Six to 2025 Recruiting Class

The Ball State baseball team and head coach Rich Maloney have announced the signings of six student-athletes for the 2025 recruiting class.

The class includes two outfielders, an infielder, two pitchers and a two-way player. Four of the signees are from the state of Indiana, while the other two are from Ohio and Michigan.

"We are thrilled to welcome these six players to our Ball State Family," Maloney said. "We strive to take players who have upside, work hard, are getting better, dream big and do a great job in the classroom. This class meets that criteria, and we can't wait to work with them.

"Recruiting coordinator Alex Maloney and Justin Wechsler did a great job identifying and landing this outstanding group!"

Luke DeMasse
Macomb, Mich. | Dakota HS

DeMasse is a right-handed pitcher who was the Macomb Area Conference Player of the Year as a junior in 2024 after posting a 1.38 ERA in 55.2 innings pitched. Additionally, he was his team's MVP, an All-District performer, Academic All-District, threw a five-inning no-hitter and pitched in the state quarterfinal win.

Academically, DeMasse has been an honor roll member every semester in high school and plans on studying exercise science at Ball State.

Coach Maloney on DeMasse
"Luke has a loose arm with upside and pounds the zone."

Huston Dunn
Fishers, Ind. | Fishers HS

A left-handed hitting infielder, Dunn has been named Second Team All-Conference as both a sophomore and junior. He has posted a .282/.422/.366 slash line in 85 games played at Fishers while also earning two varsity football letters.

Dunn is an honor roll member who hopes to major in business with a minor in marketing.

Coach Maloney on Dunn
"Huston is a gritty player, versatile, athletic and a line-drive hitter."

Brandt Kendall
Scottsburg, Ind. | Scottsburg HS

Kendall is a left-handed hitting outfielder who was named First Team All-Conference and First Team PBR All-State as a junior after leading the Mid-Southern Conference in home runs, RBI, batting average, runs scored, on base percentage and slugging percentage.

Academically, Kendall plans to study exercise science and be a strength and conditioning coach after his playing career.

Coach Maloney on Kendall
"Brandt has a good skill set and bat potential."

Joe Lafkas
Cincinnati, Ohio | Turpin HS

A two-time First Team All-Conference right-handed pitcher, Lafkas accumulated a 2.24 ERA as a junior in 2024. He was also a Second Team All-Conference pick in basketball for Turpin.

Lafkas is an honor roll member who plans to major in business and minor in marketing at Ball State.

Coach Maloney on Lafkas
"Joe has good size with a strong arm and upside."

Maalik Perkins
Greenwood, Ind. | Whiteland HS

Perkins is a right-handed outfielder who was named All-County and All-Conference as a sophomore while being the best defender on his team as a freshman, sophomore and junior. He has earned two letters in basketball and three in football as a multi-sport athlete at Whiteland.

Academically, Perkins plans to study exercise science and be a physical therapist after his playing career.

Coach Maloney on Perkins
"Maalik is a plus-plus runner, aggressive baserunner and gritty."

Brayden Stevenson
Pendleton, Ind. | Pendleton Heights HS

A right-hander who can both pitch and catch, Stevenson was named First Team All-Conference and the Herald Bulletin Baseball Pitcher of the Year as a junior after striking out 44 and posting a 7-0 record with a 1.73 ERA in 32.1 innings and a .114 batting average against.

Stevenson plans to study either exercise science or business at Ball State.

Coach Maloney on Stevenson
"Brayden is a two-way player with a plus arm and upside."

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