Ankeny Centennial’s Eli Starr was already planning to start his college baseball career in the Land of Lincoln.
Now, the standout pitcher will be attending a Division I school just 12 miles away from his original destination.
After initially committing to play for Lake Land College in Mattoon, Starr has now flipped his commitment to Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. The Panthers compete in the Ohio Valley Conference.
“I have had conversations with coach (Jason) Anderson and the coaching staff at EIU in the past,” said Starr. “Coach Anderson was actually the one that set me up with Lake Land, and we have always just had a really good relationship. I knew going into this summer that they had a full roster, but he had mentioned to me the possibility of something popping up and him reaching out.”
Starr found out recently that a roster spot had opened up. He was offered the chance to play for the Panthers.
“So I had a few conversations with my family and my Lake Land coaches, and in the end decided that this is something I have been working toward my whole life,” Starr said. “It just was not an opportunity I was going to turn down.”
Starr helped the Jaguars to a 20-16 record as a senior. He compiled a 5-2 mark with a 3.56 ERA and 58 strikeouts.
Starr led the team in wins, innings pitched (41 1/3) and strikeouts. He also batted .364 with one home run and eight RBIs.
Starr was named to the CIML Conference second team and to the Class 4A North Central all-district second team.