Iola High senior Jarrett Herrmann signed a national letter of intent to play college baseball at Cowley College next year.
Herrmann has excelled at the plate the past three years and was a key part of the Mustangs reaching the state championship game this past spring. Iola finished the season with an overall mark of 16-5 and went 9-3 in Pioneer district play.
The senior slugger led Iola in nearly every hitting statistical category last season including when he mashed for a .704 batting average, 19 hits, 13 RBIs and two home runs. The hitter was a major part of his team scoring 77 runs and combining for a .379 batting average.
“Obviously stats but I’d say leadership and the amount of time I’ve put in with some of my teammates and trying to make them better is where I’ve seen myself succeed,” Herrmann said. “Trying to make everyone around us better and more competitive for the future.”
The Mustang ballplayer is still in shock that he will be able to take his baseball career to a higher level and couldn’t be happier with the decision he made. Cowley is getting a gritty, hard working player who leaves his all on the field.
Herrman is excited to get to work at college even with it being practically a full year away.
“They’re getting a hard worker for sure,” said Herrmann. “That’s what I pride myself on, just hustle, hard work and it pays off. I’m ready to get there and play. I’ve heard a lot about the friendships you make playing college sports, lifelong friends, best friends that I’ll make. I’ve already met a lot of my teammates.”
With Iola being a baseball town, many of these student-athletes play ball year round including American Legion action in the summer and training through the colder fall and winter months.
Herrmann has experienced a slew of schools accepting and denying him over the past year but the fact he’s found a new home leaves him confident for the future.
“I’ve been working for this since I was little,” said Herrmann. “Just the ups and downs of going through college recruiting, schools that aren’t interested and schools that are, it can mess with your head a little bit but I’m glad it’s finally paid off.”
Next season, Levi Ashmore will take over the reins of the Mustang baseball program. A former 2013 IHS grad, Ashmore’s tenure included a state baseball championship.
After the Mustang squad reached the state playoffs last season, the elusive goal remains even more intent for Herrmann.
“State championship, that’s what we’ve got to go for,” Herrmann said.
Iola will open its season at home against Independence on Tuesday, March 21.
