Bagnell signs with Oklahoma State
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POLSON — November 10 was a big day for senior Kyle Bagnell; it’s the day he signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Oklahoma State University, a Division 1 school.
Although Bagnell lettered in football, basketball and baseball, his favorite sport is baseball. A lefty pitcher, Bagnell struck out 19 batters in his last game with the Mission Valley Mariners, according to manager Jami Hanson. He also went 52 and 1/3 innings without allowing a hit.
Valley Journal sports reporter Aaric Bryan said Bagnell has “a devastating curve ball, it’s definitely Bagnell’s pitch.”
Hanson praised Bagnell for his work ethic and his good fundamentals, saying he was very mechanical. Also, Bagnell is a jokester, Hanson said. When things get stressful during a ballgame, “Bagnell brings you back to reality, that baseball’s just a game. Bagnell is a phenomenal kid, a great kid to have around,” Hanson said.
Apparently other coaches felt the same way. At a baseball camp in Las Vegas (Bagnell was invited by Arizona State) 16 to 20 other coaches were taking a look at the lefty pitcher, too —including University of Southern California, the University of Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State, Kansas University, Eastern Carolina, Wichita State and others.
Then the offers started coming in, and Bagnell had to make a decision. He visited both the OSU and KU campuses. One factor in his decision was the good science program at OSU. Bagnell, who plans a pre-med major, is considering attending dental school. Bagnell will be OSU’s lone lefty pitcher while KU will have three lefties in their bullpen.
Not only will Bagnell receive scholarship money to play baseball, his “3.9 something” GPA netted him academic scholarship money as well.
Bagnell explained that he’s pretty excited since he didn’t expect to be playing at this level.
Although Stillwater, Oklahoma, is a long way from Polson, Montana, Bagnell said he’s sure his parents will come watch him play ball. In fact, his dad has already decided to buy an RV.
Baseball begins when school starts in the fall of 2011. The only thing this Polson Pirate athlete could have a problem with are OSU’s school colors — orange and black.
“They’re Oklahoma State colors, not Ronan colors,” Bagnell said with a grin.
