Seated from left to right, Pioneer High School seniors Marcus Vidales, Robert Daugherty, Zach Aukes and Thomas Galart confirmed their college choices by signing letters of intent on Wednesday. Shaking Aukes hand is new Pioneer head varsity baseball coach Kevin Galart. (Deo Ferrer/ Democrat)
When it comes to college baseball scholarships, the Pioneer Patriots have the West Coast covered.On Wednesday four Pioneer High School players signed National Letters of Intent, one each to California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
Just outside the Pioneer baseball field with approximately 50 people on hand, outfielder Marcus Vidales and three pitchers -- Thomas Galart, Zack Aukes and Robert Daugherty -- declared their collegiate playing career choices.
Vidales heads to CSU Fullerton, Galart to University of Nevada-Reno, Aukes to University of Oregon and Daugherty to University of Washington. They are the first Patriots to sign with NCAA Division I teams directly out of high school. Three former Patriots have played at NCAA Division I schools after spending time in community college.
While none of the scholarships are thought to be full rides, new Pioneer head coach Kevin Galart said in an email that each scholarship should cover at least 60 percent of the player's college costs.
"It's a pressure off my shoulder to just get this out of the way," Daugherty said. "Verbal commitment was great too, but this makes it official."
Daugherty was blown away with the Washington campus and the Huskies' staff on his unofficial visit last fall. Once he took another trip to Seattle, Daugherty was hooked.
"I met the players on the official visit (and) I love those guys," he said.
Galart also liked the atmosphere at his destination in Reno.
"It
wasn't anything flashy, and I really think they're going to be an up-and-coming program," he said.The convincing factor for Aukes, who is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, was Oregon coach George Horton.
"I've always wanted to pitch under Horton, growing up and seeing him coach at CSU Fullerton," Aukes said. "He knows his stuff."
Horton was hired at Oregon in 2008 after 17 years with CSU Fullerton, the school Vidales will be joining next season. The outfielder met current Titans coach Rick Vanderhook five years ago at a UCLA showcase and had his mind set ever since. Even interest from USC and Oregon State did not deter him.
"Fullerton just seemed like the best fit for me," he said. "All the coaches are great."
Vidales also has a goal in mind: titles.
"(The Titans) have four national championships," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting something like that."
Pioneer may be shooting for hardware of its own, with the help of these four NCAA Division I signees as well as a new coach in the elder Galart.
"I've had these kids since they were 10 or 11 years old, in travel ball," the skipper said. "They were working for this day, and this season coming up. I'm very happy to be able to coach them this year, in the final year."
Both Daugherty and Thomas Galart will be starters for the Patriots, though Aukes' recovery prevents him from rounding out the starting rotation.
"We're going to take that slow and see how it goes," coach Galart said. "He will probably be in the bullpen."
The future Ducks' hurler said it's been a long recovery but, "I think I'll feel 100 percent by the end of the season."
The younger Galart is confident about Pioneer's prospects.
"I truly do think we're going to be very good this year," Thomas Galart said.
Daugherty wasn't willing to be so bold.
"That's the goal," he said of a successful season, "(but) I don't want to say anything to (jinx that)."
For now, the four Patriots enjoyed what their coach called "a very special day."
"I'm ecstatic right now, it's awesome," Thomas Galart said.
"It feels great," Daugherty said.
"I'm thankful for my parents giving me all the support I need," Vidales said.
"It was amazing," Aukes said. "All the hard work we've been putting together for so long -- it feels good to have all that work pay off."
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