October 5, 2007

Oregon baseball gets in-state commitment
Posted by mwilson

Darrell Hunter, a senior at Thurston High School who pitched for Churchill in the 2007 Class 5A championship game, has become what is believed to be the first player to commit to the revived Oregon baseball program.

Hunter said Friday he orally accepted Oregon's offer -- equal to about 35 percent of a full scholarship, he said -- Thursday after meeting with coach George Horton, who led Cal State Fullerton to the College World Series six times before the Ducks hired him in the summer.

Horton "makes me the best player and gives me the best opportunity to get drafted higher out of college," Hunter, a second-team 2007 Class 5A all-state selection, said by phone.

Hunter said Oregon State offered a 25 percent scholarship last month and added that turning down the two-time national champion wasn't easy.

Oregon plans to field a team in the 2008-09 school year.

College coaches are prohibited from talking about potential recruits until they receive signed letters of intent. The early signing period for baseball begins Nov. 17.

Hunter attended Thurston in Springfield his first two seasons and went to Churchill as a junior because, his father said, his academic schedule was a better fit at the west Eugene school. Hunter has transferred back to Thurston for his senior year. Hunter expects to play shortstop in college.