East senior to sign with Northern Illinois

The Northern Illinois baseball program already has one pitcher from Columbus East.

Next year, it likely will have two.

Senior Drew Hasson plans to sign a national letter-of-intent Wednesday to play for the Huskies. He will participate in a signing ceremony at 3:15 p.m. in the East High School commons.

“I really liked the campus and the coaches,” Hasson said. “They were all super. I like all the facilities. They have a nice weight room and a nice indoor facility. I thought it was a great place for me and a great fit.”

Northern Illinois currently features an East alumnus in junior Will Anderson. Anderson has pitched for the Huskies the past two seasons.

Hasson, who committed last fall, said that played a small role in his decision to attend the DeKalb, Illinois, school.

“That helped a little bit, that I would know somebody up there,” Hasson said. “It makes me feel more comfortable with everything, that I would have somebody to go to if I need help with anything.”

Hasson is considering majoring in physical therapy.

Hasson went 3-3 with a 2.17 ERA in 42 innings during his sophomore baseball season. This spring, he went 0-1 with a 7.53 ERA in 17 2/3 innings.

But Hasson’s junior year was plagued by injury. He sustained a broken wrist when he was hit by a pitch against New Albany and missed the rest of the season.

“It was really tough having to sit there and watch,” Hasson said.

In the spring, Hasson had reached 90 mph on the radar gun. Following the injury, he returned this summer to play for the Indiana Prospects travel team.

Hasson currently is playing basketball for the Olympians, who started practice last week. He is hoping for an injury-free senior baseball season before heading to Northern Illinois.

“I think it’s a good fit for him,” Gratz said. “He will hopefully get himself back healthy and throwing like we know he can.”

Hasson will become the second East baseball player in a week to sign. Senior Alec Burnett, who went 1-0 with a 3.71 ERA, signed Thursday to continue his career at University of Indianapolis.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Drew Hasson” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Name: Drew Hasson

School: Columbus East

Year: Senior

Sports: Baseball, basketball

Baseball position: Pitcher-first baseman

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