MOUNTAIN VIEW — It’s probably the coolest feeling knowing that I get to continue my dream of playing baseball and that it will be at the University of Jamestown!.

I have played baseball for forever, and I’m as happy as can be knowing I don’t have to say goodbye yet. Baseball started for me at a very young age. I always had either a ball or bat in my hand from the time I could walk.

I started playing pitching machine ball when I was 7, and I had a lot of fun, but what I didn’t realize was that this sport would become my biggest passion in life. At age 9, I moved up to hand-pitch, and I played third base. Again, I played and enjoyed my time. It wasn’t until the all-stars district tournament a year later in Riverton when I tried pitching. That was the moment I fell in love with the game that would define me. I moved from third to first base, and I pitched. Throughout the rest of my little league career, I couldn’t get enough. Baseball became my life.

Eventually, I aged out, and I needed somewhere to play. That place ended up being Evanston, 45 minutes from my home in Bridger Valley. I tried out for the Evanston Outlaws, thinking it would be cool, but a little out of reach. However, the coaches saw something in me, and they told me I made the team. I was overjoyed and couldn’t wait to start playing. I was placed on the B Team, the Trappers. My new team was welcoming, and my teammates became quite possibly the closest friend group I’ve ever had. I made my way through the program and for the past three years have played for the Outlaws AA squad.

Being from Wyoming where baseball isn’t a high school sanctioned sport, it isn’t scouted by colleges very much at all. I am honored to have turned the heads of the Jamestown coaching staff. In doing my own scouting for schools, they were among my top destinations for my desired major, computer science, along with a winning and very well respected baseball program. They have been great to me and have such a rich history in baseball. They are the perfect fit for me.

I’ve had the time of my life playing with the Outlaws, and I am thankful for the opportunity to play one final season with the boys. This year will be very special for me because my brother, Hank, will be catching for me for the first time since Little League, and we will be able to play together for my last season. Saying goodbye to the organization and my Legion ball days will be incredibly difficult, but I am honored and thrilled to start my collegiate career at the University of Jamestown.

I will graduate in the 2021 class of Mountain View High School and will miss my time with my hometown friends, as well.