BENTONVILLE -- Drew Young began to notice how the attention he received from college baseball coaches started to dwindle after he had a knee surgery done in the offseason.
Central Arkansas, however, never backed away from the Bentonville pitcher, and Young honored that commitment when he signed his national letter of intent with the Conway school during Wednesday's ceremony at the Tiger Athletic Complex.
Young was one of three Bentonville baseball players to finalize their college decision on the opening day of the early signing period. Kasey Ford made Kansas State his choice, while Carter Brown signed with Arkansas-Little Rock.
"These guys are a prime example of what we're trying to achieve, not just as athletes but as human beings," Bentonville coach Todd Abbott said. "They're outstanding human beings who have a tremendous work ethic, and they're respected by many -- not only by their peers but adults as well."
Young was named the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's newcomer of the year after he emerged to become the Tigers' second starting pitcher in midseason. He helped Bentonville reach the Class 7A state championship game when he threw a six-hitter over 6.2 innings and earned the win in a 3-1 semifinal decision over Springdale Har-Ber.
The right-hander finished the season with a 7-1 mark and a 1.89 ERA. Young allowed just 38 hits and struck out 50 batters over 45.2 innings.
"It's a lot of hard work, and it's really starting to pay off," Young said. "The signing day tradition is a symbol of hard work, a good work ethic and what it can lead to."
Ford made a childhood dream become a reality when he signed with Kansas State, the school he verbally committed to in January. He then became the Tigers' ace on the mound and eventually became the winning pitcher and the outstanding player in Bentonville's state title victory over Conway.
The right-hander finished with an 8-0 mark and a 1.65 ERA last season as he allowed 58 hits and struck out 96 batters over 67.2 innings. Although he split his time between pitcher and first base with the Tigers, Ford said Kansas State wants him to strictly be a pitcher.
"I'm just incredibly blessed with the opportunity that has been placed before me to play (NCAA) Division I baseball," Ford said. "Kansas State's my dream school, and it's the place I could see myself growing up. I'm just excited to be going there.
"I'll just be on the bump at K-State, which is OK with me. I can sell my first baseman's glove and see if I can get a couple hundred dollars out of it."
Brown, on the other hand, expects to keep the same utility role at Little Rock as he has done at Bentonville. He has split his time as a pitcher and an outfielder, where he threw out a Conway runner in the bottom of the sixth inning and caught a fly ball for the final out in Bentonville's state title game.
Brown was 3-1 with a 4.84 ERA in 24.2 innings of work last season for the Tigers. He also contributed at the plate, where he hit a .297 average with four home runs and 18 runs batted in.
"I'm more than happy right now," Brown said. "I'm super pumped to be able to continue my career at UALR. It's a feeling of relief.
"The coaches are outstanding there. The program, I can see it being on the rise. I went on my visit and the teammates made me feel at home. Everything felt great when I went down there."
Sports on 11/12/2015