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August 9, 2012

Jeff’s Astle verbally commits to Xavier

Red Devil pitcher loves campus, coaching staff

By KEVIN HARRIS kevin.harris@newsandtribune.com

JEFFERSONVILLE — Once Trent Astle set foot on the Xavier University campus in Cincinnati during a recent college visit, it was love at first sight for him.

At that moment, the Jeffersonville High School senior was convinced he wanted to continue his education and baseball career at the NCAA Division I school.

On Thursday, he gave his verbal commitment to play baseball at Xavier, starting in the 2014 season.

“I took a visit there and loved everything about it,” said Astle, who plans to be a pitcher for the Musketeers. “I loved the campus and the coaches. Xavier is a place where I can get better at.”

One Xavier coach who sold Astle on attending the Atlantic-10 Conference school was Musketeers’ pitching coach Nick Otte.

“He has a ton of unique ways to strengthen me,” Astle said. “He plans on putting me through pitching drills, which will help me with my command and mechanics. He said he will put more responsibility on me and that’s the way I want it.”

Another reason Astle chose Xavier was it is only a two-hour drive from Jeff, which will enable his family to attend his home games.

“The fact that my parents have watched me play baseball for the last 12 or 13 years and they can continue to do that was big for me,” Astle said.

Astle posted a 7-3 record last season at Jeff with a 1.27 earned-run average and 86 strikeouts. At the plate, Astle had a .354 batting average and 17 RBIs as he helped the Red Devils win the Hoosier Hills Conference Tournament and the Class 4A Jeff Sectional.

Astle made the News and Tribune All-Area first team and the all-HHC squad.

The left-hander says he plans on getting stronger during the offseason to prepare him for his senior season at Jeff and his freshman year at Xavier.

“I plan on staying in shape,” Astle said. “I threw a ton during the spring and summer. I’m going to try to get stronger.”

 

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