Eastern talents make it official at NLI signing at Hall

By Bill Dickens
Updated: November 12, 2015

2015 EAST COUNTY NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT

Kyle Stowers, of Christian High.

By Bill Dickens
© EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON (11-12-15) — Four-year starter KYLE STOWERS of Christian High has signed a National Letter of Intent with prestigious Stanford University to play baseball for the Cardinal beginning with the 2017 season.

“I’m excited to finally make it official,” said Stowers, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound southpaw pitcher-outfielder who had made a verbal commitment in October of this year. “I never really felt too much pressure on the field, I just played the game.”

As a junior Stowers batted .407 (35-for-86) with 14 extra base hits, including 6 home runs and 31 RBI.

“They are looking at me to be a hitter and an outfielder,” Stowers said. “I’ll pitch a little bit too.”

Stowers pitched sparingly as a junior, posting a 1-0 record, 2.50 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 14 innings.

Other East County baseball players signing:

— AVERY TUCK didn’t light up the scoreboard during his junior season at Steele Canyon, but did well enough as a right-handed fireballer and a long ball, left-hand hitting outfielder to land a scholarship to San Diego State.

He batted .286 with 3 home runs and 11 RBI for the Cougars last season.

He regained his footing while participating in the Area Code games in Long Beach and the 13^th Annual All-American Classic in Petco Park. He continued to sparkle in the National Showcase in Fort Myers, Fla.

“I’ve seen guys I’ve played with and against, and I wanted to surprise people,” said the 6-foot-5, 195-pound Tuck upon his signing with the Aztecs. “I had a rough season in high school last year, but I was dealing with some stuff.”

Regarded as a stealth centerfielder running under the radar, Tuck is excellent at chasing down fly balls. He can also cover the bases with his 6.88 speed in the 60-yard dash. He might be the unsung hero of the June 2016 draft.

El Capitan’s Emerson and Duncan at National Letter of Intent signing day at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park on Wednesday morning.

— El Capitan catcher MYLES EMMERSON and pitcher-third baseman TRISTAN DUNCAN have signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday (Nov. 11) at the San Diego Hall of Champions.

Emmerson, a first team All-East County selection as a junior, who batted .422 (43-of-102), has signed with Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo in time for the Mustangs’ 2017 season.

His battery-mate Duncan, meanwhile, has inked a pact with Oregon of the Pac-12. Duncan, a right-hander, is coming off a sparkling junior pitching season with a 6-3 record, 2.45 ERA and 4 complete games in 65 2/3 innings. He also played third base and may see some action at that position with the Ducks.

— San Diego State is obviously intrigued by tall pitchers. They had success with Steele Canyon’s MIKE CEDEROTH in the past, and hope to find similar success with the Cougars 6-foot-7, 200-pound TREVOR ROW who signed a National Letter of Intent with the Aztecs on Wednesday (Nov. 11).

— First baseman DILLON SHRUM of Granite Hills has signed a National Letter of Intent to the University of Nevada-Reno.

He batted .317 in the regular season and came on strong with key hits in the playoffs for the Eagles.

Shrum and LaPierre, of Granite Hills

Softball signing:

— JESSIE LaPIERRE of Granite Hills, a second team All-East County pick and second team All-Grossmont Valley League selection, has signed a National Letter of Intent with Cal State-Northridge.

She batted .370 with 2 home runs, 12 runs scored and 21 RBI.

Football commitments waiting in the wings:

— Granite Hills tight end-defensive end JACOB BURTON (6-5, 270) has given a verbal commitment to the University of Arizona, which is known for its recruiting of San Diego County large linemen.

— Another East County giant, Helix tight end-defense lineman MASON VINYARD, has verbally committed to Washington State University.