West transfers to LSUS to play baseball
Shreveport, LA (LSUS Sports Information) - Wednesday afternoon LSU Shreveport Pilots head baseball coach Al Cantwell signed one of the area's top pitchers, Jared West of Frierson, Louisiana. The former North DeSoto Griffin inked with the Pilots at his alma mater and is transferring to the NAIA-power from NCAA D1 Super Regional Qualifier, the University of Houston.
"This is a big day for LSU Shreveport Baseball," said the Pilot's skipper. "To have a talent like that of Jared West come home to pitch, well, I am not sure words can explain what that means to our program. We want to be in the discussion when it comes to the best players in our area and the recruiting process. Jared is one of the best this area has seen in the last few years and he has proven he can get it done when he has the ball in his hand."
The 6-6 left hander was taken in this year's Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft in the 32nd round by the Cleveland Indians but has chosen to pitch for the Pilots for the 2015 season. " I am truly excited to be coming to LSUS to pitch for the Pilots; I can't wait to get started," said Jared West who comes to LSUS after pitching two seasons for the Houston Cougars posting a 2-2 record.
The 215-pound southpaw will get some good work this summer as he will soon depart to pitch in the Cape Cod League, a summer league where some of the top college players play summer ball. "Jared's experience in the Cape Cod League this summer will have him coming back just that much stronger," commented Coach Cantwell.
West's presence will boost the Pilots pitching staff that lost five pitchers from the 2014 staff that finished with the second lowest team earned run average with a 3.46, second only to the 2012 squad (3.10). "Jared won't be the lone soldier on our pitching staff either. We are very excited about what we have coming back. Our staff is having tremendous success thus far in their respective summer leagues," added Coach Cantwell.
The hard throwing left hander is not only an excellent pitcher but he has accumulated a 3.0 grade point average in the classroom in Accounting. "When baseball is over I hope to put my degree in accounting to work and go to work for a baseball team in the front office as an accountant," said West.
"His academic progress shows he gets the big picture, and from all accounts he is one if the hardest working kids trying to master his craft there is," ended Cantwell.
