After two successful years pitching for Crowder College, Josh Brock has moved on to play for Southwest Baptist University this spring.
Brock is one of 13 players from the 2009 team to move on to the next level, including 12 who signed with a four-year college.
The 6-foot, 185 pound right-hander threw 27 ½ innings for Crowder last spring, striking out 17 and walking eight. As a freshman, the Willard product tossed 37 1/3 innings and won three games for Crowder – the year the team won the Region XVI championships.
“He came in and was a valuable guy in the bullpen and a spot starter for us,” Crowder coach Travis Lallemand. “Against Three Rivers, we got a bad start and he came in and gave us a chance to come back.”
Brock chose SBU over Lincoln University, Missouri Western, Evangel and College of the Ozarks.
“It’s a good school with a really well—respected accounting program,” said Brock, who is a accounting major and economic minor. “I really like the baseball side of things as well. Coach (Sam) Berg is a great guy and a great baseball coach who I wanted to play for. On top of that, it was close to home and that was a good thing.
“I’m very glad I went to Crowder and grateful I got the chance to. In my mind, Coach Lallemand is the best coach I’ve ever played for. He’s knowledgeable about the game and I think I learned a lot in my two years. Also, from going to school there, I think I grew up a lot and learned what I needed to take care of with school and everything.”
Brock is one of 13 players to sign with SBU to play baseball this year.
Said Southwest Baptist coach Sam Berg, “Josh has a rubber arm and may have a variety of roles on the pitching staff. Where he will be used depends on how he throws in the fall. He could come out of the pen or be a starter.”
Brock will join a SBU Bearcat roster that includes former high school teammates Justin Crumpley and Wes Burrell.
Brock, 21, is the son of Doug and Mary Brock of Willard.
Neosho, Mo. —
