Columbus North seniors Parker Maddox and Jakob Meyer have accomplished what a very large percentage of high school athletes won’t fulfill — playing at the collegiate level.
On Wednesday, Maddox and Meyer officially made themselves future college athletes when they signed their letters of intent in front of their family, friends, teammates and coaches at North High School. Maddox signed to play baseball at Ohio University, and Meyer signed to play baseball at the University of Evansville.
Maddox, a pitcher and outfielder, posted a 3-2 record with a 2.39 earned run average and 49 strikeouts in 41 innings last season. He also hit .242 with a double, a home run and 14 RBIs.
During his sophomore season, Maddox went 3-4 with a 3.57 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 53 innings, while hitting .298 with four doubles, two triples, a home run and 15 RBIs and was named All-Conference Indiana honorable mention.
Originally, Maddox had committed to Indiana University, but then decommitted over the summer following the departure of coach Chris Lemonis for the Mississippi State position.
Maddox believes, though, he has made the right decision.
"It was the right choice because it felt like home," Maddox said. "As soon as I got there, the atmosphere, the campus, I just liked it all. I knew I could get a great education while I’m there. The chance of probably playing professional baseball and getting me to the next level is there, and that’s why I chose it."
Last season, Meyer went 3-4 on the mound, posting a 1.85 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings and was named first team All-Conference Indiana. As a sophomore, he posted a 3-2 record with a 7.00 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 27 innings.
"It really felt like home down there (at Evansville), and I think I’ll get a great education. I’ll help me go out into the world and do well," Meyer said. "It’s really small, which I like, so I can get anywhere I need to be. The team treated me like family, and they wanted me to be there."
Maddox and Meyer helped the Bull Dogs to a 18-10 record last season. In 2017, they both were part of the regional championship team that finished 17-13 and fell to eventual state champion Cathedral in the semistate.
North coach Ben McDaniel is proud to see both of those players continuing on to the next level.
"It’s a good day for Columbus North baseball," McDaniel said. "These guys will be four-year varsity guys, and they’ve really been cogs in our pitching rotation for the last three years and definitely coming into this year. We’re looking forward to the pitching staff in 2019, and that’s going to be the staple of our team. Those two guys are the leaders of that staff, and we’re looking to what they’ll deliver in 2019."
