In just two years, Jarrett Herrmann has etched his name among some of the all-time greats to come through the Iola High School baseball program.
Now, entering his senior year at IHS, Herrmann has announced he will play collegiately at Cowley County Community College.
“Obviously, they’re a powerhouse in the juco ranks,” Herrmann said. “It was a tough decision, but I went with my gut. I like the coaches. They’re good people, and they have a heck of a good facility.”
Tack on Cowley’s ability to move players on to four-year schools or even professional baseball, and it’s easy to see the school’s appeal, Herrmann noted.
In fact, the Tigers are just a few weeks removed from taking second in the NJCAA Junior College World Series in Colorado, falling 4-2 to Central Arizona in the championship game.
Cowley’s World Series trip delayed their recruitment briefly, he noted.
The school had reached out to him a few days after Iola had played Neodesha, where a former Cowley player coached.
“I sent them my schedule, but then they got busy with the World Series,” Herrmann said, to the point that Iola’s season at the state tournament ended before Cowley’s.
Undeterred, the Cowley coaches invited Herrmann to the Arkansas City campus for a workout a few days after their season ended.
“They let me visit the place and gave me an offer,” he said.
While Cowley’s coaches envision Herrmann as an infielder, he’s willing to play anywhere.
“They can put me at second, third, short, wherever, or I can go to the outfield,” he chuckled.
Regardless, Herrmann’s pitching days will likely end once his time at IHS concludes.
He saw time as Iola’s no. 3 pitcher during the 2022 season, even throwing a three-inning no-hitter against Prairie View, and earning the save during the Class 4A regional championship victory over Rock Creek. That win secured Iola’s first state tournament bid since 2018.
“I don’t necessarily like pitching,” he admitted. “I just kind of filled in when we needed the numbers.”
EVEN AS a multi-sport star at Iola, Herrmann found himself most at home on the diamond.
