BROSHUIS SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT TO PLAY BASEBALL AT MISSOURI

The University of Missouri secured the top pitcher in Southeast Missouri as Advance senior Garrett Broshuis signed a letter-of-intent with the Tigers to play baseball.

Broshuis, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound right-hander emerged as a force his junior year when he struck out 107 batters in 57 innings. Approaching 90 mph with his fastball, Broshuis struck out 20 Bloomfield batters in a seven-inning game last season. He finished with an 8-3 record and 2.31 E.R.A.Broshuis, a Class 1A all-state pitcher, said he was being recruited by Oklahoma State, Southwest Missouri, St. Louis University, Kansas and Vanderbilt among others.

The Tigers of head coach Tim Jamieson ended up with the hard thrower."Pitching in the Big 12 is a big reason and I wanted to stay in state," said Broshuis. "I grew up following Missouri."Broshuis said he also considered freshman playing time when he chose the Tigers over the likes of national power Oklahoma State.

Broshuis said he was clocked at 86 mph at the start of summer but hit 91 mph by summer's end. He's also a force with the bat as he hit .474 with the Hornets his junior season. Despite his hitting, the Tigers recruited Broshuis for his arm.

It's likely Broshuis will be drafted after his senior year, but he was noncommittal about his plans."It's up in the air. I have no idea what will happen," he said. "It's everybody's dream to play professional b baseball. If it happens, it happens. But I'll always have this."