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NHS baseball standout signs with Crowder College
Nevada High School senior student-athlete Tyler Ketterman will be continuing his baseball and academic careers with Crowder College.
Crowder is a community college located in Neosho, Mo. The Roughriders, whom Ketterman will be on the diamond for this time next year, are off to a 9-1 start.
"This is a great opportunity to further my education while continuing my baseball career," Ketterman told the Daily Mail.
Ketterman continued: "Crowder is a highly competitive baseball program. They have a rich history of baseball success and a track record of preparing their athletes for what lies ahead, including the possibility of competing in a four-year collegiate baseball program. Their coaches also do a great job of creating a family-like atmosphere."
Ketterman's primary position is catcher, but in addition to those duties he also sees time at both shortstop and the mound.
The 5-foot-10, 175 pound four-year varsity letterman has racked up numerous accolades during his prep career, including: (2016) All West Central Conference infielder; First Team All-District; and Nevada Tiger Baseball Most Valuable Player. In addition, Ketterman has been named Nevada's Offensive Player of the Year for the past two seasons.
"Any time you take the step from high school to college baseball, there is a significant increase in the level of competition," Ketterman said. "I look forward to this challenge. It is also an opportunity to develop relationships with a new set of teammates."
Ketterman continued: "There is more of a commitment time-wise at the collegiate level, and I look forward to the opportunity to develop as a student-athlete under a group of quality coaches."
Ketterman said his father, Matt, has had the greatest impact on his baseball career.
"He played collegiate baseball and has been a driving force in my development," Ketterman said, "always pushing me to improve and be the best that I can be."
Good baseball genes run in the family, as Ketterman's brother Lane, a 2014 graduate of NHS, also played at the collegiate level.
"(Lane) was a great example of how to go about playing the game the right way," Ketterman noted. "He never took a second off, and I have tried to emulate his approach. My freshman year I was fortunate to be able to play varsity baseball with my older brother."
Summer league
Ketterman, who hits near the top of Nevada's order, is the single-season record-holder with 10 triples. The past three years Ketterman has played summer baseball with the Kansas City Bullets. This summer Ketterman is slated to make his debut with the Northeast (Okla.) Prospects.
"(Northeast Prospects) is a team comprised of college signees/prospects," Ketterman said. "I plan to compete with the Prospects in five or six weekend tournaments. And I will continue to participate in workouts with my dad (in preparation of college)."
Ketterman said he has high expectations for his upcoming senior campaign with Nevada, adding that he is proud to be a member of the Nevada Tiger baseball program.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience as a Nevada Tiger baseball player, and look forward to a great senior year," he said. "It has been enjoyable to take the field with some of my life-long friends."
"My baseball team has always been like a family to me. Many of my teammates have played with me since we first started back in the third grade."
Ketterman, whose anticipated major is biology, is a member of the National Honor Society, and is qualified for the National Technical Honor Society.
Attending Ketterman's signing were his parents Matt and Erin, and siblings Lane and Drake.
Ketterman is a St. Louis Cardinals fan, with his favorite player being eight-time Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina.