Luca Ankeny '26 Recruiting Profile

I've been playing baseball since I was 5 years old, hitting off a tee in the backyard of my nonno's house. Since then, there hasn't been a day that I haven't thought about baseball, or haven't been training or playing. My greatest accomplishments to date have been being selected for the Australian National U16s team in 2024 and pitching in relief for the Australian team at the DIBAT Academies' Tournament in Puerto Rico in 2024 against the top teams in the world.

I aspire to play at the collegiate level and to pursue a high-quality academic pathway. I am aware that playing at a college level is a once in a lifetime opportunity, especially coming from Australia which is a country with very limited baseball opportunities in comparison to the United States. Thus I have moved to Michigan as of 2025 to finish high school, and pursue higher-level academic and athletic challenges. Playing at the next level and going to an excellent university or college in the United States could change my life. I am very fortunate to be a triple US-Italian-Australian citizen which gives me additional pathways to achieving my goals. 

I am primarily a Right-Handed Pitcher after taking up this position only four years ago on a struggling club team and making a name for myself in both the South Australian and national baseball communities. When I'm not pitching, I'm playing third base, and I am described by coaches as having a handy glove and effective bat at the plate. I was awarded my club U17 team's hitting award in 2023 with a .444 average and was the youngest pitcher ever (at 14 years old) to throw for Division 2 at the Port Adelaide District Club. 

I've felt like I'm playing with family with every baseball team that I have played on. I love the camaraderie of the sport. I have met most of my closest friends through playing baseball over the last nine years. I believe that I am a great team player but also a motivating leader as I keep teammates accountable for their actions while still encouraging them to enjoy the game. I was the captain of my South Australia high school team and also actively participate in strategy, planning, training, and supporting others on my club team. I am a very coachable athlete as shown in my significant improvement over the last four years, culminating in my selection to the Australian national team. Transferring clubs and having some amazing coaches who helped me to significantly improve my skills plus making good use of opportunities like playing for Australia in the Puerto Rican international tournament for baseball academies has shaped my trajectory in highly positive ways.

Academics are extremely important to me. I have maintained a 3.95 GPA to date in high school including when taking an accelerated academic program (classes above my year of enrollment), and I continuously seek out more challenges in the classroom. I am planning go to an academically selective college and/or to enroll in an honors program or similar at a university in order to continue my education at a higher level. Evidence of my commitment to my studies can be found in my receipt of the all-academic trophy from the Seaton (South Australia) baseball program in all of my high school seasons, and of the all-around best academic-player award (Shark of the Year) in my final year (2024).

I want to attend a college where I can push myself academically and on the baseball field. I am open to all types of options and ultimately want to play at the highest level of competition that is appropriate for me, at an academically rigorous institution. I hope to become a great role model for my peers, my family, and especially kids in Australia who have a passion for baseball but who think that it is too hard to compete at a collegiate level in the United States.

In summary, I want to share feedback that the head state coach Andrew Sperling provided to me based on my performance at the 2023 Australian Youth national tournament:

"Luca Ankeny was perhaps the real surprise packet of this tournament for us (although I didn’t need any convincing as I have always been a fan from afar). To pitch on three consecutive days for us as our best 'go to' man – what a job you did. Topping out at 77 mph, hitting the zone consistently with pitches that had good movement – very, very impressive. Hit well also, played the field with confidence – keep on doing what you’re doing. You showed that you can be the ace for this state team next year."