Eaton trio taking their game to the next level

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EATON — Years of hard work and dedication paid off last week for three members of Eaton’s baseball program, as they signed letters of intent to continue their playing careers at the next level.

Trevor Pittman, along with Blake and Bradley Curry, are headed to NCAA Division I and II programs respectively.

Pittman signed with Kent State, while the Currys will play next fall at Lake Erie College in northeast Ohio. The trio made it official Wednesday, Nov. 9, in front of a crowd of family, friends and teammates.

Eaton baseball coach Patrick Flanagan said when people speak of Eaton baseball he wants them to think of Pittman.

“When the Eaton community thinks of Eaton baseball, I want them to think of Trevor Pittman. When I first took the job here last year, everybody I spoke to said, ‘hey, that Trevor Pittman kid can play a little bit. Hey, he’s a pretty good athlete.’” Flanagan said. “So in a high school coach’s mind, you start thinking of this 16, 17-year-old kid who everybody knows is pretty good. And you start thinking, ‘this kid probably knows he’s pretty good too.’ And you start thinking about egos and attitudes that you’re going to have to deal with that. And I couldn’t have been more shocked and more wrong about Trevor Pittman. He carries a quiet confidence about him — he doesn’t say a whole lot, but when he does say something, people listen. And, I couldn’t ask for more of a leader. He hustles on and off the field. Plays his heart out every single game.”

Pittman, who will pitch for the Golden Flashes, said the decision to attend the D-I school in the Mid-American Conference was an easy one.

“Kent State’s recent success is what really intrigued me about going to Kent State. All the trophies they have, and all the players drafted really made me excited and really made my decision real easy,” he said. “I anticipate it’s going to be a challenge — to be a lot harder, and more hard work that I have to put in.”

“We’re both very excited to attend Lake Erie College. It was (a) hard decision, very stressful. At the same time it was very fun and very enjoyable that you get one chance to be recruited by a college. Going together is very enjoyable,” said Blake, who plays catcher and infield.

Bradley, a left-handed pitcher, said going to the same school as his brother is a benefit.

“Well, it’s most convenient,” he said. “I don’t really have to worry about a new roommate to get used to and stuff like that, because I’ll be with my brother — it makes it a lot easier to make the adjustment on moving to a new town, a new campus, stuff like that.”

The Currys plan on majoring in political science.

“I appreciate you bringing me along for this journey. I’m super excited and super proud of these young guys. They deserve it. All three of them do. Blake and Bradley, really, really embody what I think it means to be an Eaton Eagle baseball player,” Eaton coach Patrick Flanagan said. “Some kids at 16, 17, it’s like pulling teeth to get them out and get them working. Not only do these guys come to every scheduled workout that I’d scheduled for them, which is quite a bit, but they are out after work, they’re out before, they’re out on weekends, and they are always working.”

Flanagan said the day was special.

“I couldn’t be happier, I couldn’t be prouder, I couldn’t be more excited for them,” he said. “I don’t know if you guys know this, but this is a great day for you, but it’s also a great day for the Eaton baseball program,” he told the brothers. “Because when we have guys sign on to the next level, more guys want to do that. More guys want to see that. And, you know, one of the things we preach is playing the game the right way, playing the game as hard as you can. And these two very accomplished, very deserving baseball players took that to heart.”

Bradley and Blake Curry signed letters of intent to play baseball at Lake Erie College. Pictured on Wednesday, Nov. 9 are (front row) the boys’ father David Curry, sister Molly, Bradley, Blake, and mother Gretchen; and (back row) Eaton Director of Athletics Travis Miller and Eaton baseball coach Patrick Flanagan.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/11/web1_ehs_curry.jpgBradley and Blake Curry signed letters of intent to play baseball at Lake Erie College. Pictured on Wednesday, Nov. 9 are (front row) the boys’ father David Curry, sister Molly, Bradley, Blake, and mother Gretchen; and (back row) Eaton Director of Athletics Travis Miller and Eaton baseball coach Patrick Flanagan.

Trevor Pittman signed on to play baseball at Kent State. Pictured on Wednesday, Nov. 9, are (front row) Trevor’s brother Travis Pittman, mother Jennifer Pittman, Trevor, Trevor’s father Park Pittman and sister Tyler; (back row) Eaton Director of Athletics Travis Miller and Eaton baseball coach Patrick Flanagan.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/11/web1_ehs_pittman.jpgTrevor Pittman signed on to play baseball at Kent State. Pictured on Wednesday, Nov. 9, are (front row) Trevor’s brother Travis Pittman, mother Jennifer Pittman, Trevor, Trevor’s father Park Pittman and sister Tyler; (back row) Eaton Director of Athletics Travis Miller and Eaton baseball coach Patrick Flanagan.
Pittman, Curry brothers to play college baseball

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

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Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4056 or on Twitter @emowen_RH

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