Five senior Parksville Royals players have committed to play for colleges in the United States.
Josh Laukkanen, Bray Radcliffe, Thomas Green, Kiran Carcary and Jake Nikirk have all signed letters of intent to play baseball across the border for the 2018-2019 season.
Laukkanen and Radcliffe will both attend Cloud County College in Kansas, Thomas Green will play for Cuesta College in Southern Calif., Kiran Carcary will join Mile City College in Montana, and Jake Nikirk will head to Dawson Community College in Montana.
Carcary said that one of the reasons he opted to attend Miles Community College was because he was looking for a school where he could grow and develop as a player and person.
“MCC has seemingly presented the best atmosphere for me to follow those goals,” said Carcary. ” The coaching staff also played a big role in my decision, making it feel like I would fit in very well with their program. I am super excited to begin my college education as well as my athletic career.”
Miles head coach Jeff Brabant said he likes the potential Carcary possesses as a baseball player.
“There is a lot to like about Kiran,” said Brabant in a press release. “He is athletic, he has a lot of tools that we will be able to work with. In talking with him during the process, he also is a young man that has a lot of character and he fits our mold in what we look for in a player on and off the field. Kiran will be a great asset for us and I’m excited to have him in our uniform.”
Pitcher Brayden Baker targeted severals schools in the United States but eventuall chose to play closer to home when he committed to join the Vancouver Island University Mariners this coming season.
The Royals now have 76 players that graduated from their program that will go on to college and professional programs. Drafted graduates include: Bob Cripps, drafted by the LA Dodgers. Vince Perkins, drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays. Taylor Green, drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. Carter Bell, scholarship to Oregon State University, drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ryan Patterson, drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. Ethan Stewart, Junior National Team, drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. Paul Barton, Junior National Team, drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. Mark Hardy, UBC, drafted by the San Diego Padres.
— NEWS Staff