Baseball players sign College Letters of Intent

DRAPER — The 3A Juan Diego Catholic High School Soaring Eagle Baseball team placed second in the 2008 state championship tournament this season. They won their third straight Region VIII title with an overall 21-7 record. Four of the Soaring Eagle players have signed Letters of Intent to play college baseball. They are Jordan Cox, Bryan James, Michael Lipsey, and Patrick Fratto.

Cox is a left-handed pitcher for Juan Diego. He signed with California Lutheran University in southern California.

"I came to Juan Diego in my junior year," said Cox. "This is a winning program. We have learned a lot of good discipline on this team and how to work together as a team to be able to win games. I think that has really helped.

"I chose California Lutheran University because I have been interested in them for some time," said Cox. "I sent a video tape to them, and when the coach called, I flew out for a visit. I fell in love with the campus and the facilities, and definitely the weather. They have a great program. They are a Division 3 school in the NCAA, which is a smaller school. It has a similar feel to Juan Diego, and is academically challenging. I received an academic scholarship, and will major in criminal justice. I hope to have a career with the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations), or as a lawyer.

Cox also played football, performed in drama, and played the saxophone for school events. He maintained a 3.6 grade point average and received an academic award in technology this year at Juan Diego.

"Cox is a pitcher, outfielder, and designated hitter," said Steve Cramblitt, Juan Diego head baseball coach and athletic director. "He very accomplished pitching wise because he has an excellent curve ball, can throw three pitches for strikes, he can change speeds, and he is a very good competitor. He has really developed into a good high school hitter. He can hit for power, drives in runs, and is an all around good hitter."

James is an outfielder. He has signed with Taft Community College in Taft, Calif.

"Coach Cramblitt has helped me learn every situation you can come across in baseball," said James. "Some of the game situations include what you should do with runners on base, how to work as a team, how to be a good teammate, and good work ethics. I have made a lot of good friends at Juan Diego, especially on the baseball team. We have learned to win, and have won a lot of games over the years.

James has played baseball since he was 5 years old and for the past 13 years, and said baseball is pretty much his life. He played locally on pony leagues, the Junior Oympics, and across the western United States on Utah Baseball Academy’s All-Star team. He plans to study computer science.

"James is an outfielder and can hit for power," said Cramblitt. "He is very athletic. He hits in a very tough spot in the line-up. He hits fourth or fifth, and get a lot of off-speed pitches so he has to really try to be patient as a hitter."

Lipsey is a third baseman and middle infielder. He has signed with Taft Community College, and received an academic scholarship. Lipsey said, "he seemed to be willing to work with us, not just in baseball, but in school as well.

Lipsey started playing baseball when he was 5 years old. He said the team learned to always do their best, even in practice, from Coach Cramblitt.

"We always play at 100 percent," said Lipsey. "We dive and slide into bases, no matter what. That is kind of our thing, all or nothing has been our motto for the year. Baseball has been great. Everyone on our team is pretty close, and we take care of each other."

"Lipsey is in his first year with us as a senior, and he has done an excellent job" said Cramblitt. "He is an infielder and has played mostly third base, to which he had to adapt. He is ideally a shortstop. He has really adapted to third quite well. He is a switch-hitter and he has been very effective from both sides of the plate. He hits a lot of doubles and has the ability to put the ball in play. He plays hard. I have a lot of respect for him."

Lipsey carries a 3.0 grade point average and is undecided on his major, but may become a nurse practioner.

Fratto has signed with Taft Community College, and is a pitcher and a middle infielder. Fratto has gone to Juan Diego since his freshman year.

"Coach Cramblitt taught me a lot about the mental game of baseball," said Fratto. "I will take what I have learned from him to the next level, which is to play hard and never let up. We learned to have a good work ethic and be part of the team.

"I chose Taft Community College because it is a smaller town, and we have met a lot of guys on the team who seem to be pretty cool. At this point I would like to go in pharmacy.

"Fratto started for three years in our infield," said Cramblitt. "He has played both second base and shortstop, and has played extremely well. He has been our lead off hitter for most of his career. He has also pitched very well this year for us. He throws at 85 miles an hour and has a good curve ball."