Ryan Wood, a right-handed pitcher from Eagle, Idaho, was getting looks from the likes of Division I college baseball programs Tennessee and Clemson.
However, a brotherly bond will bring him much farther north.
Wood said Wednesday that he has verbally committed to play for UND after his high school senior season in 2011.
Why UND?
"The thing that caught me was that they showed lots of interest in my brother," Ryan Wood said. "UND is giving me lots of money, but it didn't matter if Tennessee or Clemson gave me a full ride, I would turn anything down to play with my brother. We were best friends through high school."
ADVERTISEMENT
Ryan's brother, Marcus Wood, is a freshman at the College of Sequoias junior college in California. He's a pitcher and utility infielder.
"Marcus is good," Ryan said. "He has an upper 80s arm. He has a great change and great hands in the infield. (UND) is definitely getting a Division I player."
Ryan is midway through his junior season at Rocky Mountain High School. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder's fastball was clocked at 87 miles per hour this season. He was ranked No. 353 among high school recruits on perfectgame.org.
Ryan plans to attend UND's game Sunday against Utah Valley. He's also scheduled to check out the UND campus again this summer.
Ryan was in Grand Forks this winter and attended a UND hockey game against the University of Wisconsin at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
"(Grand Forks) reminds me of home, but just no mountains," he said. "The weather is what I like . . . and I wasn't a hockey fan until I went on a visit."
Miller reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1121; (800) 477-6572, ext. 121; or send e-mail to tmiller@gfherald.com .
