These Suns ready to shine in college; Southridge athletes announce their commits
Jake Harvey and Oregon State University have had a long-distance relationship for the past two years.
The Southridge High School senior infielder/pitcher on Wednesday followed through on a promise he made to the Pac-12 school as a sophomore, signing his national letter of intent alongside two of his teammates and golfer Riley White.
“It’s very exciting,” said Harvey, who helped the Suns to a second-place finish at the 3A state tournament in May. “I don’t even know what to say. The Pac-12 is the powerhouse of the Northwest. I’m just so excited to go there.”
Also signing were catcher Lane Hailey (Walla Walla Community College) and pitcher Wyatt Hull (Blue Mountain Community College). White will play golf at Corban University in Salem.
OSU got their first look at Harvey two years ago in Centralia. Since he was so young, the school could not contact him, but he could reach out to the baseball staff in Corvallis.
“Coach (Eric) Stark played there (1998-2001) and he has connections. He helped put me in touch with them.”
OSU, which advance to the College World Series last year, is offering Harvey a 64 percent scholarship that covers books and tuition. The baseball program has a meal plan in place, so his parents are on the hook for a place for him to lay his head at night.
Harvey hit .457 last season with 47 hits and 43 runs scored in 28 games. He had 12 doubles, five triples and eight stolen bases en route to being named a Mid-Columbia Conference first-team selection at shortstop.
He said he’s not sure whether he will redshirt next season.
“I’m not quite sure what their plans are for me,” he said. “They might move me to the outfield.”
Hull, the MCC Pitcher of the Year last season, threw 66 innings over 16 games, posting an 11-2 record. He posted a 2.12 ERA while striking out 39 and issuing 24 walks.
Hailey, a first-team catcher, hit .405 with 30 hits, including four doubles, one triple and 37 RBIs. He struck out just one time.
White placed 24th at the Class 3A state tournament in the spring, shooting a two-day 153.
Thursday, Southridge girls golfer Samantha Hui will sign her letter of intent to play at Wyoming. Hui finished third at state in May with a two-day 152.
This story was originally published November 8, 2017 at 5:35 PM with the headline "These Suns ready to shine in college; Southridge athletes announce their commits."