The Staff

General Manager @ Asteri Sports

Profile
Riley Knudsen is a former Division I first baseman who played for the College of Charleston Cougars after transferring from Cowley County Community College. At Charleston during his junior season he appeared in 27 games (15 starts), hit .232 with two home runs and two doubles. College of Charleston Athletics His listed profile at Charleston: 6′2″, 190 lbs, from Cabot, Arkansas. College of Charleston Athletics+1
Key Highlights

• 2017 at College of Charleston: .232 average, 2 HR, 2 doubles in 27 games. College of Charleston Athletics
   
• Junior college background at Cowley County CC before transferring. College of Charleston Athletics

Trainer Focus
Riley uses his experience as a D-I first baseman and hitter to coach hitting mechanics, in-game batting approaches, and defensive first-base fundamentals. His perspective includes both junior college and Division I play.

Assistant General Manager @ Asteri Sports

Profile

Patrick Matthews is an infielder whose playing career includes time at Florence-Darlington Technical College (NJCAA) and the High Point University Panthers. In the 2024 season at High Point he appeared in 23 games (19 starts), hit .254 with two doubles and 10 RBIs; he also had a two-hit, two-RBI game versus Winthrop. High Point University Athletics His high school background at Fort Mill (SC) lists him at 5′7″, 190 lbs. MaxPreps.com

Key Highlights

• 2024 at High Point: .254 average, 10 RBIs, two doubles in 23 games. High Point University Athletics
   
• Strong NJCAA/college infielder with versatility (positions: 1B/2B/DH). The Baseball Cube+1
  Trainer Focus
  Patrick’s strengths lie in infield defense, hitting from multiple spots and baserunning fundamentals. His background gives him insight into player development from technical college through NCAA Division I levels.

Director of Strength @ Asteri Sp

Christian Baker is a right-handed relief pitcher who competed at the NCAA Division I level for the High Point Panthers. Standing 6′4″ and weighing 235 lb, he recorded a 2-0 mark in the 2024 season, throwing 18.2 innings with 19 strikeouts, surrendering only two home runs and holding opponents to a .247 batting average. High Point University Athletics+1

Earlier he pitched at Gaston College Rhinos in North Carolina. GCR Hinos

Key Highlights

• 2024: 19 relief appearances, 18.2 IP, 19 K. High Point University Athletics+1
   
• High school: Rolesville (NC) and Cross Roads Flex (Gaston), also a National Honor Society member. High Point University Athletics

Trainer Focus
Christian leverages his experience as a high-leverage collegiate reliever to instruct pitchers on bullpen routines, relief mindset, and advanced mechanics for late-game performance.

Sam Wirsing is a right-handed pitcher who played for the Wright State Raiders (Ohio). In the 2022 season he appeared in 12 games (8 starts), pitching 26.2 innings with 15 strikeouts, and delivered a 4.2-inning shutout relief performance in a home opener versus Dayton Flyers. Wright State University Athletics+1

Key Highlights

• 2022: 12 games, 8 starts, 26.2 IP. Wright State University Athletics+1
   
• Named to the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll. Wright State University Athletics

Trainer Focus
Sam draws on his dual experience as a starter and reliever to coach pitchers in transition roles, balance between innings work and relief work, and strengthen mechanics for both mound roles.
 

Profile
Jake Christianson is a right-handed relief pitcher who was drafted in the 15th round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays (Overall 464). He played at Feather River College Falcons (CA) before turning pro. MLB.com+1 He stands 6′3″ and weighs 190 lb. MLB.com+1

Key Highlights

• Drafted 2022, Round 15, Overall 464. MLB.com+1
   
• Professional minor-league resume: strong strikeout numbers, WHIP around 1.13 in 2024 season. Bally Sports Live+1

Trainer Focus
Jake brings professional-level pitching experience to athlete development at Asteri Sports, focusing on bullpen preparation, strike-out pitch design, and transitioning from collegiate to professional pitching demands.
 

Pedro Gonzalez is a right-handed outfielder (B/T: R/R), listed at 6′5″ and around 190 lb. Baseball America+4MLB.com+4MLB.com+4
He hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and signed as an international free agent with the Colorado Rockies in 2014. MLB.com+2Baseball America+2

• Colorado Rockies (signed 2014) MLB.com+2MLB.com+2
   
• Traded to the Texas Rangers (via minor-league assignment/transaction) in 2019. MLB.com
   
• Played for various affiliates such as the Grand Junction Rockies (Pioneer League) while in the Rockies system. MLB.com+1
   
• Free agent status / released by Acereros del Norte in 2025 per transaction log. MLB.com
   

• In 2017, with Grand Junction (Pioneer League), Pedro batted .309 with 23 extra-base hits in 44 games as he transitioned from infielder to outfielder. MLB.com
   
• Originally a shortstop early in his career, he grew into his frame and moved to center field, acknowledging the adjustment to taking fly-balls and new routes. MLB.com
   
• His minor-league cumulative stats: 1,754 at-bats, batting average .238, 54 home runs, On-Base .305, OPS .718. MLB.com+1
   

Pedro’s career offers multiple instructive angles for athletes and trainees:

• Transitioning positions as physical growth demands (infielder → outfielder), which helps when working with athletes changing roles.
   
• Outfield mechanics: routes, reads, footwork, adjustment to fly-balls and larger outfield zones.
   
• Power development and athletic frame evolution: demonstrating how to build and sustain athleticism from youth to professional.
   
• Professional baseball environment exposure: both success and adversity in pro ball, giving practical credibility when coaching young athletes.
   

Pedro Gonzalez’s professional journey—signed internationally, developed via the Rockies system, shifted positions, adjusted to growth and role changes—makes him well-suited to share deep, game-tested insights with trainees. Whether it’s refining outfield routes or guiding hitters on power mechanics, his background blends the physical, technical and mental aspects of high-level baseball development.

Dircctor of Apollo Pitching Acadamy 

Profile
Ben Wereski is a left-handed pitcher who built a strong collegiate resume at both Columbia University and Rutgers University. At Columbia in 2018, he started 12 of 13 games, tossed 61.0 innings, struck out 52 batters and posted multiple strong outings. Columbia University Athletics During his time at Rutgers he finished a senior season leading the Big Ten conference with a 0.99 WHIP and held opponents to a .226 batting average over 76 innings. Lincoln Saltdogs+2Rutgers University Athletics+2

Key Highlights

• Senior at Rutgers: 6-2 record, 3.62 ERA, leading the Big Ten in WHIP. Lincoln Saltdogs
   
• At Columbia: Started 12 games, 61.0 IP, 52 K. Columbia University Athletics
   
• Minor league career (relevant for experience): 46 games, 79.1 innings, 99 strikeouts, WHIP 1.36. MLB.com

Trainer Focus
Ben brings his experience as a weekend starter and high-lever arm into his training role at Asteri Sports, specialising in left-handed pitching mechanics, bullpen preparation and performance under pressure.

Head of Softball

• Name: Annabella Hawkins. Bucknell University Athletics+2Bucknell University Athletics+2
   
• Hometown: Arvada, Colorado. Bucknell University Athletics+1
   
• High School: JK Mullen in Arvada. Saint Joseph's University+1
   
• Position: Utility / Infielder (listed as “Util” at times) for Bucknell Bison softball. Bucknell University Athletics+1
   
• Class: Senior in 2024 season at Bucknell. Bucknell University Athletics+1
   

• At Saint Joseph’s University in 2021 (freshman year), she appeared in 13 games and made 5 starts. Saint Joseph's University
   
• At Bucknell:
   
  • 2022 (Sophomore): Played in 31 of 45 games, 21 starts. Batted .298, had 14 hits, 7 RBIs, 6 runs, a double, 9 walks. Owned a strong on-base percentage (.411). Bucknell University Athletics
     
  • 2023 (Junior): Appeared 43 of 46 games, 36 starts. Batted .192 with 15 hits, one triple, 6 RBIs. Collected two-hit games including against Colgate and Army. Bucknell University Athletics
     
  • 2024 (Senior): Appeared in 35 of 46 games, 31 starts. Batted .133 with 10 hits, one home run, six RBIs. Her first collegiate home run came April 28 vs Holy Cross Crusaders. Bucknell University Athletics+1
     
• A notable moment: In the 2023 Patriot League Softball Championship, Hawkins delivered an RBI single for Bucknell. Patriot League
   

• Hawkins has shown adaptability and versatility (utility role), contributing defensively and offensively.
   
• Her best statistical season (in batting average) appears to be 2022 (.298) though her average dipped in 2023 and 2024.
   
• The home run in April 2024 marks a milestone in her senior year.
   
• Academically, she also earned recognition (e.g., Patriot League Academic Honor Roll) in her collegiate career. Bucknell University Athletics+1