A momentous start to baseball season as several players sign
By Kalen Haynes – Horizon News & Features Editor
Recently Jonathan Law got some news that pretty much all Hesston College baseball players dream of hearing: A university wanted to sign him. A redshirt sophomore majoring in business, Law has spent two years in Hesston’s program, developing and learning the ins and outs of college baseball. Now he’s on to Tarleton State University (Stephenville, Texas) to continue his education and play baseball.
Law gives credit for his success to the dedication of the coaches and players in the program.
“Hesston has been an experience, but I have to say Hesston has definitely helped me develop as a student and baseball player.”
But what happened to Law is not that unusual. Other sophomores have signed to major universities: Jacob Harris to Western Texas A&M, Jordan Gesling to Hawaii Pacific University, and Carlos Rodriguez to North Dakota State University.
Law thinks these major signings show the progress and prestige made by Lark baseball over the past year. And continuing that progress as they head into the spring season is exactly the point, according to Head Coach Kyle Howell.
“We grown in competitiveness and our ability to place guys at the next level, and help them continue to chase their academic and baseball goals,” he said. “All because we’ve had great players and great guys who want to be successful.”
The chase continues Friday, the start of baseball season, as the team traveled to Texas for two days of double headers. According to players and coaches, this year will be an incredible turning point for Lark baseball. Sophomores signing with big universities has boosted the team’s morale and prestige. The Larks have goals of going of .500 and winning the region and advancing to the NJCAA tournament.
Law has another goal: “As a whole, we as a team, should try not to be so hard on ourselves,” he said. “We are close with each other as a team, and have good chemistry. I believe that goes a long way in terms of success.”
And as for getting signed? Law says if the guys on the team can continue to focus on classes and working hard, the rest will fall into place.
He’s already seeing a lot of promise.
“The guys I met last year have grown tremendously as people, and baseball players,” he said. “I have seen unrealistic change in the new guys that came in this year too.”
