JEFFREY REINHART jreinhart@LNPnews.com
Garden Spot senior ace Tyler Horst has picked a college.
The Spartans’ pitcher (and four-year letter-winning quarterback) will continue his baseball career at Division 1 Temple University.
He did not receive any scholarship money up front, but he said scholarship money should be available after his first season with the Owls.
“Overall, it was just a great fit,” Horst said. “School-wise and baseball-wise, I just loved the college when I visited.”
Temple competes in the Atlantic 10, and the Owls are coached by Rob Valli, who is in his third season with the program.
Temple will inherit a pitcher with a three-pitch repertoire. Horst throws a fastball – 4-seamer and 2-seamer – a circle change and a slider. He said his fastball has been topping out around 85 mph.
“I do need to get my velocity up and get better command of my changeup,” Horst said.
Horst has been working out with Lancaster County baseball guru Glenn Gallagher, the former Millersville and F&M coach. Those two get together at least once a week, and Horst said his game has improved by leaps and bounds.
“I want to be the best pitcher I can be,” he said. “My dream is to play professionally, and if the opportunity is there, I’ll go for it.”
Horst tipped his cap to the L-L League, saying the hitters in the area more than helped him get ready for his next stop.
“The L-L League is excellent baseball,” he said. “A lot of guys come out of here and go on to play in college. The competition is unbelievable.”
Horst said he’ll stay sharp this summer by pitching for Garden Spot’s legion team, and perhaps pitching in a twilight league. He reports to Temple later this summer, and will begin working out with the team in September.
“I’m excited,” Horst said. “The coaches there were very happy that I chose Temple. We’re all looking forward to the workouts in September. Hopefully I can get in there and throw in the intrasquad scrimmages in the fall and prove myself.”
Horst said he’d like to study secondary education or criminal justice at Temple.
