Two New Franklin senior baseball players signed their commitments to play at the college level next year. Catcher Drew Rhorer signed with McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois., and pitcher Jake Marshall inked with Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan., during a ceremony on Thursday.

New Franklin baseball coach Erich Gerding said he is proud of both of these players for deciding to make a commitment like this. “This is something hopefully younger players can look to.”

Drew Rhorer

Rhorer was recruited as a catcher after posting 86.1 innings behind the plate last spring. He allowed only seven passed balls and gave up 10 stolen bases as the Bulldogs went 19-6. New Franklin also finished 11-4 in the most recent fall season.

On the other side of the New Franklin battery, Rhorer has a career 8-1 record as a starting pitcher with a 2.41 ERA and nearly 12 strikeouts per game.

But despite strong pitching numbers, Rhorer said McKendree recruited him as a catcher. 

“They really wanted me. They were adamant about getting me there,” he said.

Rhorer said he was attracted to McKendree by the campus, the field, and the team. “It’s a dream. I’ve always wanted to play at the next level, and McKendree is giving me the opportunity to do that.”

At the plate, Rhorer holds a .300 batting average in 87 games played with 76 hits, five home runs and 63 RBI. And he still has another season to go this spring.

“Drew has been an extremely positive addition to our baseball team and school since the moment he stepped foot in the building,” Gerding said. “He turned himself into a great defensive catcher and has improved offensively every season, and is a feared hitter. His approach to the game is special. It’s like having another coach out there, which is priceless. His love for the game and work ethic should play well at the next level. It’s always super-exciting to see a guy on to the next level. I hope there’s at least one thing he can take with him to the next level.”

Rhorer said he plans to major in communications.

Jake Marshall

Jake Marshall was recruited to play outfield and pitch. And he said signing on to play college baseball like his father, Alan Marshall, is a dream come true. 

“It feels great. It’s been my dream to be like my dad and play college baseball for as long as I can remember,” he said. “It feels like a dream come true. Feels like everything I’ve worked for is finally coming true. But it’s another level, and I still have to work for it.”

As a pitcher, Marshall holds a 12-1 starting record with a 3.19 ERA and averages 9.72 strikeouts a game. His fastball tops out around 82 MPH.

And Marshall is an outstanding outfielder as well. Last spring, he finished with a near-perfect .973 fielding percentage in center field for the 19-6 Bulldogs.

Jake is a special center fielder who seems to run on top of the grass out there,” Gerding said. “He has made plays out there that will be remembered for a long time. Jake is an intensely hard worker who loves the game and is a great student. As our leadoff hitter for most of his career, he has been our catalyst. Jake goes, we go. I am looking forward to seeing Jake compete at the next level, and like with Drew, I hope he can take one thing with him from his time here in New Franklin.”

Marshall is also a threat at the plate as the team’s leadoff hitter. He holds a career batting average of .355 with 149 runs scored and 58 stolen bases, with his senior spring season still left to play.

Marshall said he looked at a few different schools, but when he stepped foot on the campus of Butler Community College, he felt at home. “It’s hard to describe. It’s a feeling you get from the coach. And a feeling you get from being at the school. It feels right. It feels like that’s where I belong.”

BCC is also the second-most recruited junior college in the league. So, a solid performance could lead to more baseball at a four-year college.

“I feel like it’s going to help me get better and make me progress as a player,” he said.

Marshall also said Butler offers a promising pre-physical therapy program, which transfers seamlessly into many four-year programs.

Like most athletes, earning the right to play at the next level comes from hard work and the help from those around them. Marshall is full of gratitude and thanked those who helped him reach his dream of playing college ball. “I would like to thank everyone who has helped me get to where I am today. I could not have done it without them.”

New Franklin opens the spring season on March 18 at Fayette with a 5 p.m. first pitch.