KENNEWICK -- Southridge three-sport star Matt Mendenhall made a verbal commitment to play baseball at Washington State University, ending speculation that he might join his brother, Andrew, a baseball player at the University of Oregon.

Matt, an all-CBBN performer in football, basketball and baseball, weighed his options carefully before deciding on the Pullman school.

"It's a lot closer than other schools, and I've got a lot of friends there," said Matt, who was told he would play third base under Cougars coach Donnie Marbut. "Basically, I'm going up there to hit the ball."

Mendenhall's father, Randy, was an All-American javelin thrower for the WSU track program in the mid 1980s.

Matt, who led the CBBN in passing yards last season, admitted he was still toying with the idea of walking on with the Cougars football team.

"I actually talked with WSU about football a little," he said. "I'm not really sure. I'm pretty set on baseball."