By BRYAN GASKINS
For the Pharos-Tribune
WALTON — Cass baseball standout Brad Piatt had his pick of scholarship offers from several college programs. In the end, he went with favorite all along.
Piatt signed Wednesday with Ball State after also receiving offers from Bradley, Butler, Indiana, Iowa, IPFW, Purdue and Wright State.
“The coaches are the No. 1 reason I chose Ball State,” Piatt said. “Also, they’ve had like six first-round draft picks in the last six years. That’s another main part of my decision because I want to play baseball after college.”
Piatt is a right-handed pitcher who owns a 20-6 career record at Cass, and he has helped lead the Kings to two straight Mid-Indiana Conference championships. He earned Class 2A all-state and all-MIC honors and received the Kings’ MVP award as a junior after posting a 7-0 record with a sparkling 0.98 ERA. He also batted .390.
“Brad has been a varsity starter since his freshman year, and his dedication to the game and the hours he spends over the summer and the offseason are second to no other athletes,” Cass coach Greg Marschand said. “He is well-deserving of this honor. He has a love and a passion for the game of baseball that you do not teach as a coach. Obviously, he also has been blessed with skill and talents that allow him to be one of the best pitchers in the state of Indiana.
“With his work ethic and passion for the game … this will just be a start to the tremendous future he has in baseball,” Marschand added.
Piatt noted the Cardinals brought in six pitchers in their previous recruiting class, and he expects they will have a total of three or four in his class. He hopes to contribute to the Cardinals’ pitching plans right away.
“They are going to lose a kid to the draft (in 2006), probably in the top three or four rounds, so they are going to need an ace. I don’t expect to do that, but I expect to come in and challenge for a spot as a weekday starter. The conference games are on weekends, and I don’t expect to be a weekend starter right away, but I think I have a chance to be a weekday starter or a weekend reliever,” he said.
Piatt points to velocity as his biggest weapon on the mound and he complements his 92-mile-per-hour fastball with excellent command. Over his sophomore and junior seasons, he totaled 192 strikeouts against just 26 walks — a better than 7-to-1 ratio.
Piatt throws two-seam and four-seam fastballs, and he also gives batters fits with his curveball and changeup.
Piatt plans to use his full arsenal to help the Kings reach their goals in his senior season. They won a school-record 23 games and the MIC championship last spring, and he hopes to build on those accomplishments in 2006.
“I want to go to state,” he said. “We’ll have like nine or 10 seniors on our team, and it will be real helpful to have that experience.”
Local Sports
Related Photos
Discussion
Cass baseball standout signs with Ball State
- Local Sports
-
-
Logan holds off Kokomo in sectional opener
When it comes to tournament games, and a big rivalry game at that, you can throw out the records and the stat sheets.
Logansport’s girls basketball team was in a battle with arch-rival Kokomo from the opening tip in the first game of the Class 4A Logansport Sectional on Tuesday.
-
Winamac girls down North Judson to advance in sectional play
The Winamac Lady Warriors started off on the right foot in tournament action Tuesday night by defeating host North Judson 59-46 in opening round action at the Class 2A North Judson Sectional.
-
Kings top Panthers in boys basketball
Lewis Cass’ boys basketball team broke a three-game losing streak in its series with Pioneer by defeating the Panthers 52-40 here Monday night.
-
Logan, Winamac face rivals in girls sectional openers
Logansport’s girls basketball team defeated visiting Kokomo by 17 points back on Nov. 19 en route to winning the North Central Conference title outright.
-
PREP WRESTLING: Semistate bound
The action was intense Saturday as the area’s best wrestlers converged on the Berry Bowl to participate in the annual Logansport Regional.
-
Logan girls cherish third-ever NCC crown
A week ago Friday there were more than 3,000 people in attendance to watch Logansport’s girls basketball team secure the North Central Conference title outright with a 58-40 win over New Castle in the Berry Bowl.
-
Logansport High School goes to Bankers Life Fieldhouse
The Logansport High School boys basketball team, cheerleaders, band, students and fans flocked to Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday night for a game against Muncie Central. Here are some photos of the event.
-
Berries come up just short on big stage
The Berries had the Bearcats on the ropes, but Muncie Central made just enough plays in the decisive fourth quarter to top Logan 56-53 at the Super Ball Invitational, a possible once-in-a-lifetime event.
-
Panthers own boards in rout of Vikings
Pioneer’s boys basketball team got back on the winning track in Midwest Conference play with a dominating 78-44 win over visiting North White Friday night.
-
Caston wins at Argos; Winamac falls at Judson
Caston’s boys basketball team left the confines of home and headed north Friday to take on the Argos Dragons. After lead changes throughout the game the Comets prevailed in taking a 49-41 win over their hosts.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
