College signings: McClure heading to Flagler College
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Article RatingWhen looking for a college or university to attend, a lot of high school seniors favor schools in proximity to their homes.
That wasn't a major factor for Cedar Cliff center fielder Jordan McClure, who chose Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., over Penn State and Florida International.
But that doesn't mean McClure won't be close to family. His sister, Kourtney, will be a junior at Flagler in the fall.
“She loved it down there and told me it was a great school,” McClure said. “That played a huge part in my decision.”
Another deciding factor, McClure said, was the chance to play immediately for the NCAA Division II Saints.
“Flagler said I could play right away,” McClure said. “I don't think I'll be redshirted because (coach Dave Barnett) said he wants to get me playing right away. He wants me to start working in with the starters.”
The Saints finished their first season as a Division II program at 25-27 but McClure was drawn to the program for its ambition to move into the higher division.
“It looked like they had a great future ahead of them,” McClure said. “I wanted to be a part of it.”
Cedar Cliff coach Will Hoover likened Flagler to schools such as South Florida and Central Florida, which progressively moved from the D-II level to Division I.
“(Flagler is) making the jump,” Hoover said. “Their enrollment is increasing and they're making a good push. I think they're doing a lot of the same things the other schools did.”
McClure, who hit .422 with 10 doubles, four triples and one home run in his fourth year starting for the Colts, also gave consideration to the University of Maryland and Coastal Carolina before settling on Flagler.
“I was watching (Flagler) and other teams down there in Florida,” McClure said. “I was looking to see how competitive they were. A Division II school in Florida is as good or better than a Division I school in the North.”
McClure, who plans to major in business and minor in nutrition at Flagler, said the rapport he established with Barnett put the school ahead Florida International.
“I felt real comfortable having a normal conversation with (Barnett),” McClure said. “He really sold me on the fact that he liked me and I could play right away.”
Hoover said the Saints are getting a player that thrives in difficult situations.
“He deals real well with adversity,” Hoover said. “He always comes up with big hits against front-line pitching. He was probably the best center fielder in the Mid-Penn. He really performed well in big games.”
Thanks to his choice of schools, McClure's family will be able to see him play at the next level, even if it is a 13-hour drive.
“We're real big into family things and I thought it would be great to go to school where (my sister) is,” McClure said. “It will be easy on them, plus, I'm the last McClure. (My family) wants to see my games. It should be a good situation.”
Three other Cedar Cliff players recently signed to continue their baseball career at the next level. Joining catcher Zach Pettis at Temple will be third baseman Derrick Long.
Cory Latsha, a first baseman/pitcher, signed with annual Division II power West Chester of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Cedar Cliff's season ended in the play-in round of the District 3 Class AAAA playoffs with a 10-6 loss to Governor Mifflin on May 18. The Colts finished the year 13-7.
