Central grad Bard picks Mississippi Valley State

~ The Mineral Area College graduate leads the Sikeston Bulls in hitting this summer.

Sean Bard has wanted to play Division I college baseball for quite a while.

The 2004 Cape Girardeau Central High School graduate will receive that opportunity after he recently signed a letter of intent with Mississippi Valley State University.

"Playing Division I has been a big goal of mine," Bard said. "I'm pretty excited. I'll get everything paid for, and I really like it down South."

Bard, who played the past two seasons at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo., is the leading hitter this summer for the Sikeston Bulls, who are part of the collegiate KIT League.

Bard, a first baseman, is fourth in the KIT League with a .338 batting average. He also has four home runs, 13 doubles and 23 runs batted in.

"Things are going pretty well for me this summer," Bard said.

Bard said he also considered Bradley for his Division I destination, but the scholarship offer was not nearly as good as the one he received from Mississippi Valley State.

"I wanted to go there, but it wouldn't have been a full deal," he said of Bradley.

Bard will join a Mississippi Valley State program that has won four consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division titles. The Delta Devils went 20-4 in conference play during the 2006 season.

"They've done well in the conference and the coaches said I should have a good chance to play right away," Bard said. "I'm looking forward to it."