EDINBURG – University of Texas-Pan American baseball head coach Manny Mantrana announced on Thursday the signing of outfielder Cole Loncar to a National Letter of Intent for the 2014-15 academic year.
 
Loncar comes to the Broncs from Mesa Community College, where he is hitting .338 with 10 doubles, one triple, two home runs, 27 RBI, 21 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in 41 games. He has reached based by walking 19 times and getting hit by two pitches for a .428 on-base percentage. He has struck out just seven times in 151 plate appearances, or once every 21.6 plate appearances.
 
As a freshman, Loncar led the Thunderbirds in hitting with a .353 average to go with 19 doubles, two triples, 45 RBI, 43 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 55 games. He drew 18 walks and was plunked seven times for a .422 on-base percentage. He struck out just nine times in 232 plate appearances, or once every 25.8 plate appearances.
 
A 6-0, 205-pound right-handed hitter from Olympia, Wash., Loncar played at Olympia High School, where he earned All-State honors. Loncar was the MVP of the 2011 All-State Baseball Series after leading his team, St. Helens, to the championship.
 
"Cole is a very mature and intelligent player that we are excited to have entering our program. Cole has solidified himself as one of the best junior college hitters in Arizona and fills a big need for a middle of the order bat in our lineup," Mantrana said. "Cole is a proven impact bat that can hit for average and power. Inserting his bat in the middle of our order next year will lengthen our lineup and provide us with another player in our lineup that opposing pitchers will have to be careful with. Cole is also an outstanding student, high character individual, and possesses all the qualities we look for in a student-athlete."

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