KALAMAZOO, Mich.  – Western Michigan baseball and head coach Billy Gernon inked three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period on Wednesday.

The trio includes RHP Hayden Berg (Granger, Ind.), catcher Greg Budig (Plainfield, Ill.) and middle infielder Max Huntley (Kalamazoo, Mich.) and will play for the Broncos starting with the 2020 season.

"I want to thank our coaching staff for their efforts on assembling this small in numbers but huge in athleticism recruiting class," said Gernon. "Our philosophy each year is to improve on our culture by increasing our overall athleticism and to bring in selfless players that value the team more than themselves while striving for academic excellence."
 
"This class is no exception. We feel great about the connection we have made with these recruits and their families and welcome them with open arms into OUR Bronco Baseball family."
 
Hayden Berg • Granger, Ind. • Penn High School • 5'10" • 170 lbs  • R/R • RHP/MIF
Will be a three year starter and letter-winner for Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame Head Coach, Greg Dikos…As a starter on the mound and in the infield, Berg has helped the program win their fifth straight sectional championship…Won the coveted Penn Kingsmen Gold Glove for his defense and athleticism both on the mound and at second base…Hit .381 as a junior last season…All-Conference Honors in the Northern Indiana Conference…Key contributions on the mound helped Penn secure back-to-back conference crowns…Starter and member of State Championship Runner-up team in 2017…Ranked 41^st overall in the state of Indiana by Prep Baseball Report…Plays summer ball and is the ace for former South Bend Silver Hawks (Arizona Diamondbacks Affiliate) coach Mark Haley and the South Bend Cubs Travel Organization…In 2019 will be playing for Pastime National runner-up Midwest Irish.
 
Academically, has achieved honor roll all four years…His father Rick Berg spent eight years with the Atlanta Braves as player/coach/management from 1987-1994 helping the organization set the groundwork for 14 straight MLB playoff appearances…Son of Rick & Bonnie…older brother Ricky (played at Glen Oaks Community College) & older sisters Kylie & Shayna.

Gernon on Berg: "Hayden comes to us from a championship program and has a championship pedigree.  He makes us more athletic on the mound for sure and his fast arm and advanced slider could impact our staff sooner than later.  Berg understands how to utilize his arsenal and field his position very well. Hayden understands and respects the value we place on academics."
 
Greg Budig • Plainfield, Ill. • Plainfield North HS • 6'1" • 185 lbs • R/R • Catcher
Will be a three year varsity starter & letter winner for Head Coach John Darlington…Starting catcher, leadoff hitter & captain as a junior for the Illinois 4A State Champion Plainfield North…Hit .380 with a .507 OBP as a junior…Delivered two walk off hits in the 2018 Regional…Two time Southwest Prairie All-Conference & All Area Team member...Plays for the ESP Select travel organization in the summer…The tough backstop is also a four year letter-winner and three year varsity starter in football…Started at wide receiver as a sophomore & junior and transitioned to QB for senior season…State Championship runner-up in 2017…Voted captain in 2018.
Academically, carries a 5.67 (weighted GPA) …Ranked 27^th out of 581 students…High Honor Roll & Academic Letter recipient…Son of Frank & Audrey…Older brother Adam & younger sister Rachel.


Gernon on Budig: "Greg is a multi-sport athlete that has experienced championships in his prep career.  You can never have enough mental and physical toughness and he will certainly add value to that area for us.  Greg understands and respects the value we place on academics."
 
 
Max Huntley • Kalamazoo, MI • Mattawan HS • 6'1" • 180 • R/R • MIF
Will be a four year varsity starter & letter-winner for Joe Clifford at Mattawan high school...Leadoff hitter & shortstop for 2018 Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference Championship team which set a program record for wins with 31…In 2018, set the school record for runs in a season with 51, while hitting over .400 with 21 stolen bases…First Team All-Conference shortstop in 2018…Second team All-Conference shortstop in 2017…Honorable Mention All-Conference as a freshman in 2016…Ranked 12^th overall and second best shortstop in the state of Michigan by Prep Baseball Report…Plays for Midwest Athletics Baseball summer program.
 
The speedy athlete has also lettered twice in football as the starting running back, safety, kick and punt returner…Second Team All-Conference running back in 2017…First Team All-Conference running back in 2018 while accumulating 21 total touchdowns...Son of Chad & Angie…Brothers are CJ (currently playing baseball at Indiana State), Deshawn, Gabe & Kai.  
 
Gernon on Huntley: "Max is another very talented multi-sport athlete that competes with grit and tenacity.  There is an energy that permeates from him when he plays making him infectious to be around.  Huntley is athletic enough to play any and all positions on the field and embraces our academic culture"