Owensboro Catholic seniors Sam McFarland, Braden Mundy, Luke Evans and Luke Scales all signed their letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the next level on Tuesday.
Scales will be continuing his baseball career at Bellarmine University and Evans will be playing at Wabash Valley College.
Scales was used to being on base, hitting .490 on the year, while also sending six long balls over the fence and driving in 37 RBIs and stealing 25 bases.
Scales is thrilled to finally be taking the step to the next level and to be joining a family-like program similar to Owensboro Catholic.
“In one word: grateful,” Scales said. “It is gratifying to know that years of hard work and dedication will allow me to continue playing the game that I love so much while continuing my education. It is a relief to officially sign with Bellarmine University.”
Along with the baseball side of things, Scales is excited for the academic opportunities and the help he will receive in making himself look appealing to future employers.
“Bellarmine University is an all around amazing opportunity for me,” Scales said. “I know that I will receive the best education in this state. I have attended catholic schools my whole life and feel fortunate for the opportunity to continue my education at a catholic university. A degree from Bellarmine University stands out in the work force. The campus is located in a beautiful part of Louisville, Ky, where job opportunities and intern connections are abundant.”
Evans hit .371 on the year, while hitting four home runs, tallying 27 RBIs and and stealing 24 bases. Planning on getting an associates degree in sports management while there, Evans is excited to take his game to the next level at Wabash Valley College.
“I chose Wabash Valley because they are one of the top junior colleges in the country,” Evans said. “Coach Fournier and the rest of the staff do an amazing job developing athletes into D1 caliber players that leave Wabash with the tools to succeed in life. Last year alone, they sent 20 players to play D1 baseball. I believe it is the best fit for me because it will help me advance my game more than I have ever thought possible and allow me to chase my dreams of playing high level D1 baseball.”
Meanwhile, Mundy and McFarland will remain teammates as they will join each other close to home at Kentucky Wesleyan.
McFarland finished up his senior season with a .395 batting average to go with two home runs and 25 RBIs at the plate. On the mound, he dominated all season, finishing with a 1.71 ERA and 44 strikeouts en route to a 7-2 record over 10 appearances.
McFarland is excited to join a Panthers program that he feels he can contribute to and help them have even more success.
“The success that Wesleyan has had in the past few years has really stood out to me,” McFarland said. “I’ve been around the program multiple times and the environment and bond the coaches and players have also stands out. The coaches have always been welcoming to me and it attracted my family and I to be a part of it.”
Mundy posted a .352 batting average in his senior season to go along with five home runs, 31 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.
For Mundy, he’s been waiting his whole life to play college baseball and is thrilled to be able to do it in front of his family and hometown, knowing that Kentucky Wesleyan is where he’s meant to be.
“I chose Kentucky Wesleyan because it just felt like the right fit for me,” Mundy said. “I have a good relationship with the coaching staff and it’s in my hometown where everything I need is right Infront of me. The main part is going where you’re comfortable and that is what I felt. It’s such a good program heading in the right direction. It’s awesome.”
Mundy and McFarland are friends first before teammates and are excited to be able to continue to play alongside each other at Kentucky Wesleyan.
“I can’t wait to play with Braden in college,” McFarland said. “He is one of my best friends and someone who I can always count on to have my back and to push me to succeed, which are two of the things that I think everyone needs in college, especially as an athlete. I think having him there with me will make me more comfortable at practices and things like that so that’s also something I look forward to.”
The four Owensboro Catholic standouts have brought countless success to the program during their high school careers, including the Aces first 3rd Region Championship since 2005.
Having played together for years, the quartet of Aces were thrilled to continue their journeys together by signing their national letters of intent alongside each other.
“Luke, Braden, and I have been playing ball together since we were seven years old,” Evans said. “Even though I didn’t meet Sam until middle school, he is just as much of a brother to me as anyone else. It was amazing to be up there signing with these guys and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for my boys.”
While they are all ready to take the next step, with their senior year approaching they are ready to make a return to the postseason and chase a chance at a state championship.
