It was a big day on the San Marcos High baseball diamond, and senior Chase Hoover was at the center of the action.
With his teammates behind him and a crowd of supporters on the sideline, the ace left-hander, who last season led the Royals to their first Channel League championship since 1996, signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his baseball career at Texas Christian University during a ceremony Monday afternoon at Joe Mueller Field.
Hoover said he felt at home on the campus during his visit to the school in Fort Worth.
“I had an instant reaction to seeing the campus and being on the field, and I immediately felt at home,” he said. “I knew that this was where I wanted to spend my college experience as a player.”
In his junior season for San Marcos, Hoover went 7-1, with an ERA of 0.79, 94 strikeouts and 31 walks. His fastball has been clocked at over 90 mph.
San Marcos coach Wes Ghan-Gibson applauded Hoover for his work ethic to earn a scholarship to a top-flight Division 1 program.
“I don’t think everyone knows the amount of time that you actually put in,” said Ghan-Gibson. “It’s a ton of work and we see it behind the scenes. I’m so proud of you and so thankful you’re part of this program.
“I hope that I’m an influence to you for the rest of your life. I look up to you as a person, as a player, and you’re just a great kid.”
Hoover will be playing for former major-league pitcher Kirk Saarloos, who was promoted in June to TCU head coach after serving as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for the Horned Frogs.
Over the last nine seasons under Saarloos, the Horned Frogs pitching staff ranked fourth nationally in team earned run average (3.26) and seventh in shutouts (53).
By signing with TCU, Hoover is headed to a program that has advanced to the College World Series five times over the last 12 years.
“It’s a great culture and it’s a winning culture, and it’s something I want to be a part of, and something I want to contribute to and enhance in my time there,” he said.”
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.