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Oklahoma finds fertile recruiting ground in McKinney
Photo Courtesy of Rodney Neal - The players representing McKinney ISD on the Oklahoma baseball team are (left to right) sophomore catcher Dylan Neal, sophomore DH/catcher Jake Smith, sophomore pitcher Kindle Ladd and senior center fielder and team captain Erik Ross.
By Rodney Neal, Special to the Courier-Gazette
When it comes to being a Boomer Sooner, McKinney natives can hold their own with anybody.
When the 2012 Oklahoma Sooners baseball season gets underway Feb. 17, McKinney ISD's three high schools will be represented by four players on the roster: senior center fielder and team captain Erik Ross, sophomore pitcher Kindle Ladd, sophomore catcher/designated hitter Jake Smith and sophomore catcher Dylan Neal.
Ross is a 2007 graduate of McKinney North. As a Bulldog, Ross was a three-time all-district honoree. Ross arrived at Oklahoma via Grayson County Junior College, where he helped the Vikings win the NJCAA National Championship in 2008. Since signing with Oklahoma, where he is pursuing a degree in multidisciplinary studies, Ross has anchored the center field position while compiling a lifetime batting average of .274. He has started in 54 games and was seventh in the Big XII Conference last year in stolen bases with 19. In addition to his skills at the plate and on the base paths, Ross has a .973 fielding percentage as a Sooner.
Smith is a 2010 graduate of McKinney. As a Lion, Smith was a two-time all-district Offensive MVP. Smith debuted as a Sooner in 2011 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and hit a three-run home run in his second collegiate at-bat. Smith is a mechanical engineering major.
Neal is a 2010 graduate of McKinney Boyd. As a Bronco, Neal was a first-team all-district honoree and an honorable mention all-area selection. While playing for Blinn College last year, Neal batted .309 with 13 RBIs and helped the Buccaneers reach the National Junior College Region XIV finals. He was also named to the athletic director’s academic honor roll. Neal signed with Oklahoma last summer and will be playing his first season as a Sooner this year. He is majoring in education/history.
The Sooners open their baseball season on Feb. 17 with a three-game slate against Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif.
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