Tolton pitcher Jonah Sarabia signed his letter of intent to play baseball at Southeast Missouri on Monday, changing into the primary baseball participant within the Trailblazers’ 11-year historical past to signal as a Division I athlete.
“Should you’re eager to compete at that (collegiate) degree, you’re going to see guys like Jonah,” coach Ehrich Chick stated. “It’s nice for our guys to see firsthand, those who discuss enjoying Division I baseball — they get to see what that really appears like.”
To say Sarabia’s contributions to the Trailblazers program have been impactful could be an understatement. Final season, Sarabia went 4-2 with 80 strikeouts and solely 15 complete walks, averaging two strikeouts per inning. With an ERA of two.11, Sarabia earned an honorable-mention all-state accolade— the primary in Tolton baseball historical past.
“For a very long time at Tolton, we’ve performed numerous video games in opposition to groups that have been higher than us,” Chick stated. “My first 12 months right here after COVID, you recognize, Jonah exhibits up and now we’re in a position to compete extra and he’s in a position to push guys. … That form of set the tone and set the stage for us with reference to, you recognize, ‘We’ve obtained a shot to go far,’ and we did.”
Sarabia performed a vital position within the Trailblazers’ 2021 season, when the group received the Class 3 District 8 Event and superior to the second spherical of the Class 3 Championships — the furthest Tolton has ever gone.
“It was the tenth inning in opposition to Palmyra,” Sarabia stated, “and I hit the pitch for a walk-off. That was the furthest we’ve ever (gone), and simply to have the ability to preserve going and be capable of contribute, it felt actually particular to me.”
His first time pitching for Tolton was a second to recollect as nicely. Towards a robust Carrollton group that ended final season at 23-4, Sarabia earned 13 strikeouts within the span of 5 innings, securing the Trailblazers’ second win of the season.
“I like placing folks out; it’s simply enjoyable,” Sarabia stated of his efficiency. “And having the ability to have a full group behind my again, everybody cared. It was actually particular to me.”
In addition to offering his elite pitching means for the Redhawks subsequent season, Sarabia will probably be a serious contributor to this system off the sphere as nicely.
“He likes to be across the guys, loves to inform humorous tales. He’s form of the lifetime of the occasion,” Chick stated. “He’s someone who, simply, you’ll be able to’t assist however smile at, you recognize? As a lot of a goofball as he’s, he’s an ideal child and enjoyable to have round, and he’ll push you to get higher, however he’ll additionally love you on the similar time.”