By Jeff Odom
Former Steinbrenner High baseball player Logan LaPace has signed with Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, coach John Crumbley announced on July 25.
LaPace, a right-handed pitcher and 2013 graduate, went 7-2 as a senior last season with a 1.67 ERA, two saves and three complete games for the Warriors.
He told The Laker/Lutz News in a text message that he felt good after making an official visit to the school the day his commitment was announced.
“It’s still so surreal to think that I’ve been granted an opportunity to play collegiate baseball at its highest level,” LaPace said. “I can’t wait to make the most of it.”
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound LaPace also earned wins for the Warriors in the Class 7A-District 9 finals against Wiregrass Ranch, and in the region quarterfinals over Seminole High.
He is the second Steinbrenner player in program history to commit to Eastern Michigan after Chad Witkowski did in 2011. Witkowski, however, later opted to attend junior college.
Eastern Michigan is an NCAA Division I program that plays in the Mid-American Conference. The Eagles finished with an overall record of 26-28 last season.
Former Steinbrenner player transfers
Former Steinbrenner High second baseman and outfielder Christian Diaz has transferred from Jacksonville University to Eastern Florida State College due to personal reasons, he told The Laker/Lutz News.
Diaz, who graduated from Steinbrenner in 2012, was set to enter his second season with the Dolphins after redshirting his freshman year. But after the dismissal of coach Terry Alexander and a lack of scholarship funds for him this year, Diaz said it was time to leave the Division I program.
“I’m excited to have a new start,” Diaz said in a text message. “Hopefully, things will work out a little better this go-around.”
Diaz batted .343 with 17 RBIs and one home run during his senior year at Steinbrenner.
Eastern Florida State College, formerly Brevard Community College, is a National Junior College Athletic Association program located in Brevard County that competes in the Southern Conference.
The Titans finished with an overall record of 25-23-1 last season.
–Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter @JOdomLaker
