Wayne State College

2024:  Ranked second on the team in batting average at .397, going 31 for 78 at the plate in 26 games with 23 starts (17-designated hitter, 6-catcher)...had five doubles, one home run and 10 RBI with 10 multi-hit games...was 3 for 4 with season-high three RBI vs. Davis & Elkins (3/7/24)...went 3 for 4 with one run scored vs. St. Cloud State (4/20/24) and at Sioux Falls (4/24/24)...hit solo home run in 3-2 NSIC Tournament win over St. Cloud State (5/8/24)...was 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored in 4-3 win vs. Minnesota Crookston (5/9/24) at NSIC Tournament...named to the NSIC Spring All-Academic Team.

2023:  Saw action in 26 games with 21 starts (13 at catcher/eight at designated hitter), batting .197 with one home run and eight RBIs...had two multi-hit games going 2 for 4 vs. University of Mary (3/30/23) and 2 for 2 with two walks and two runs scored vs. Bemidji State (4/8/23)...had season-high two RBI in season opener at Missouri S&T (2/18/23)...hit solo homer in 2-1 win at Missouri S&T (2/19/23)...doubled, walked three times and scored three runs in 18-8 win vs. Bemidji State (4/7/23)...repeat selection to NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence.

2022:  Appeared in 13 games with eight starts at catcher...finished the season batting .259 with six RBI, three runs, one home run, seven hits in 27 at bats, three walks and a .982 fielding percentage...went 2 for 5 with a home run and a walk vs. William Jewell (4/19/22)...was 2 for 5 with a RBI at Lindenwood (2/27/22)...recorded two RBI at Minnesota Duluth (4/12/22) and vs. Minnesota State (5/3/22)...threw out four runners attempting to steal during the season...earned NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honors.

2021: Appeared in six games as a pinch hitter/reserve catcher, going 0-8 at the plate...credited with 10 putouts and had 1.000 fielding percentage...made two plate appearances vs. Southwest Minnesota State (3/28/21) and vs. Upper Iowa (5/5/21).

High School: Graduate of Bennington High School...was a three year starter in baseball and football...helped team to Class B State Championship as a junior, leading team with a .325 batting average...was part of Class B Nebraska Legion State Championship team in 2019, finishing season with .375 batting average...earned All-Eastern Midlands Conference honors as a sophomore and junior in baseball...also excelled on the football field, earning Eastern Midlands All-Conference Honors as a sophomore and junior...Essink also excelled in the classroom earning All-State Academic honors as a junior and senior.

Personal: Son of Brandon and the late Carrie Essink...born November 2, 2001...majoring in chemistry at WSC.