Carraher signs with Division II West Virginia State
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
Whiteoak senior Gage Carraher recently signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Division II West Virginia State University.
Carraher is a four-year starter at Whiteoak, where he is the ace of the Wildcats' pitching staff, currently standing at 4-0 with one shutout this season. In 27 innings pitched, Carraher has allowed just two earned runs on 12 hits and 12 walks. Of the 12 hits, just one has gone for extra bases as of April 25.
The WHS senior has 43 strikeouts this far in '13, with an ERA of 0.52, holding opponents to a batting average of .128. He's also pitched three complete games.[[In-content Ad]]“West Virginia State is just a place where I feel I fit in," Carraher said about his choice of WVSU. "I hit it off with Coach Bailey from the beginning. He has been there for quite some time, played professional baseball and has always fielded successful teams.
"I was very impressed with their sports sciences major. It has a lot of versatility within the program. I would like to pursue the sports medicine branch of the major."
Carraher is a three-time All-SE District player, a three-time All-Southern Hills Athletic Conference player and was Division IV honorable mention All-Ohio in '12.
"This is a great day for Gage and his family," WHS head coach Chris Veidt said. "A baseball scholarship has been his goal since he was very young, and it's great to see major goals, such as this, come full circle.
"Gage is an excellent role model for our student athletes at Whiteoak, as he has pushed himself year-round to be a scholarship athlete. He has done the work necessary academically as well to ensure this opportunity. I couldn’t be happier for him and his family. He will be in good hands at West Virginia State."
WVSU head coach Cal Bailey also spoke about Carraher.
"We are looking forward to working with a player of Gage’s caliber. He comes to us with an extreme upside," Bailey said. "To be a successful pitcher at any level, you either need junk or stuff, and this kid has great stuff.
"He has been taught well in his high school and summer programs. He has succeeded at a high level with great competition in both programs. He will be a welcome addition to our program."
Carraher also thanked those who have been a big part of his life and baseball career.
"The people that I would like to thank the most are my family and coaches," he said. "I have been fortunate to play in a great high school and summer program at Whiteoak and the Flash.
"I also wouldn’t be where I am without my teammates through the years. 'The Brotherhood' at WHS is a very special bond. My family has always been a fantastic source of support. They pushed and guided me personally, academically and athletically when necessary. My parents, grandparents and brothers all play major roles in my life.”
Other notable accomplishments by Carraher include the highest batting average on the team in '10 and '11 and the best pitcher award in '10 and '12.
He also holds school records in assists, innings pitched, strikeouts and wins. As of April 25, his career pitching stats included 196.1 innings pitched, a 20-11 overall record and 309 strikeouts with an ERA of 1.10. The senior in his career thus far also has five saves.
Offensively, Carraher has a career batting average of .379 with 29 doubles, three triples, one home run and 85 RBIs.
"Gage is a physically talented kid, but he took those talents and polished them through excellent summer and offseason programs," Veidt said. "He has and will continue to do the intangibles to be a successful student athlete. I am proud of him and feel fortunate to be his high school coach."
Carraher is a four-year starter at Whiteoak, where he is the ace of the Wildcats' pitching staff, currently standing at 4-0 with one shutout this season. In 27 innings pitched, Carraher has allowed just two earned runs on 12 hits and 12 walks. Of the 12 hits, just one has gone for extra bases as of April 25.
The WHS senior has 43 strikeouts this far in '13, with an ERA of 0.52, holding opponents to a batting average of .128. He's also pitched three complete games.[[In-content Ad]]“West Virginia State is just a place where I feel I fit in," Carraher said about his choice of WVSU. "I hit it off with Coach Bailey from the beginning. He has been there for quite some time, played professional baseball and has always fielded successful teams.
"I was very impressed with their sports sciences major. It has a lot of versatility within the program. I would like to pursue the sports medicine branch of the major."
Carraher is a three-time All-SE District player, a three-time All-Southern Hills Athletic Conference player and was Division IV honorable mention All-Ohio in '12.
"This is a great day for Gage and his family," WHS head coach Chris Veidt said. "A baseball scholarship has been his goal since he was very young, and it's great to see major goals, such as this, come full circle.
"Gage is an excellent role model for our student athletes at Whiteoak, as he has pushed himself year-round to be a scholarship athlete. He has done the work necessary academically as well to ensure this opportunity. I couldn’t be happier for him and his family. He will be in good hands at West Virginia State."
WVSU head coach Cal Bailey also spoke about Carraher.
"We are looking forward to working with a player of Gage’s caliber. He comes to us with an extreme upside," Bailey said. "To be a successful pitcher at any level, you either need junk or stuff, and this kid has great stuff.
"He has been taught well in his high school and summer programs. He has succeeded at a high level with great competition in both programs. He will be a welcome addition to our program."
Carraher also thanked those who have been a big part of his life and baseball career.
"The people that I would like to thank the most are my family and coaches," he said. "I have been fortunate to play in a great high school and summer program at Whiteoak and the Flash.
"I also wouldn’t be where I am without my teammates through the years. 'The Brotherhood' at WHS is a very special bond. My family has always been a fantastic source of support. They pushed and guided me personally, academically and athletically when necessary. My parents, grandparents and brothers all play major roles in my life.”
Other notable accomplishments by Carraher include the highest batting average on the team in '10 and '11 and the best pitcher award in '10 and '12.
He also holds school records in assists, innings pitched, strikeouts and wins. As of April 25, his career pitching stats included 196.1 innings pitched, a 20-11 overall record and 309 strikeouts with an ERA of 1.10. The senior in his career thus far also has five saves.
Offensively, Carraher has a career batting average of .379 with 29 doubles, three triples, one home run and 85 RBIs.
"Gage is a physically talented kid, but he took those talents and polished them through excellent summer and offseason programs," Veidt said. "He has and will continue to do the intangibles to be a successful student athlete. I am proud of him and feel fortunate to be his high school coach."