| 29 July 2010
About last year at this time Jake Reed wasn’t even sure what sport he’d play in college.
Back in November 2009, the junior was the star quarterback for Helix High School in northern San Diego and also a very talented pitcher too. Which sport would Jake play once he decided to attend the University of Oregon: football or baseball?
There wasn’t a clear front-runner, until now. Reed has picked the diamond over the gridiron.
The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Bill Dickens recently detailed Reed’s decision while delving into his talents in both sports. Jake admitted he was very torn.
“I’ve always loved baseball,” said Reed.
“Because of him [coach Troy Starr] I've fallen in love with football.”
Jake had reason to ponder his future in sports. On the mound, he was the Grossmont South League Pitcher of the Year during his sophomore season, tallying a 5-4 record with a miniscule 1.54 ERA and an impressive 70 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings. On the football field, he averaged 234 yards per game, had a hand in scoring 20 touchdowns, and carried the ball 60 times for 390 yards.
He wasn’t known for his accuracy at the helm of the football team, as he completed only 55 percent of pass attempts, but his versatility pinned him as a star in the making. Heralded for his strong arm, Reed drew praise from his teammates, especially receiver Sean Linton. For Linton, Reed can throw a ball 60 yards and hit the target every time.
Despite being “a threat any time he has the ball in his hands,” according to Helix wide-receiver Austin Gonzalez, Reed gave the slight edge to baseball, saying his future may be better served gracing the mound.
Helix’s baseball coach Cole Holland also knew he would have a difficult decision to make. Nearly a year later, Reed has chosen baseball, and will fire his 92 mile-per-hour fastball and twirl his developing array off-speed pitches for the University of Oregon Ducks.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-hander will pitch and possibly play third base for a Ducks team still trying to find its baseball identity. Reinstated two years ago at Oregon, the program went 14-42 in the first season since 1981, but remarkably went 40-24 this past season to reach the NCAA Regional.
A team can never have too much pitching. Oregon knows that. Factor in his repertoire and versatility, and mind for the game, Jake Reed is already one pitcher Oregon can boast about on their staff.
Still, some in Eugene may be curious if Reed can still hit a receiver going down field.
photo: easycountysports
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