OTTUMWA —
Michael Collins and Lucas McIntosh have been teammates on the baseball diamond for a number of years. Before Thursday, the two might have been heading into the final season as teammates.
After Thursday, Collins and McIntosh know they’ll be teammates for at least two more years. The two Ottumwans will trade in their Bulldog red for the maroon and gold of the Falcons as both will play college baseball at Indian Hills in Centerville.
Their soon-to-be head coach couldn’t be happier to have the talented duo from the City of Bridges.
“We’ve been watching the guys for a couple of years now,” Indian Hills head baseball coach Cam Walker said. “They’ve been to our camps and are very familiar with our program. We feel they both have what it takes to help get us back to the JUCO World Series.”
McIntosh is heading into his senior season at Ottumwa coming off a second-team All-CIML Metro junior campaign. Playing primarily at catcher, McIntosh played in 30 of Ottumwa’s 34 games last season with 27 starts and put up solid numbers at the plate including a team-best three homers.
McIntosh also was second on the 18-16 Bulldogs with 15 walks and third in runs scored (29) and tied for third with 32 RBI.
“Lucas is a well-rounded catcher,” Walker said of McIntosh. “He’s someone that can be very good for us both offensively and defensively.”
Collins found a specialty of his own that made him a key recruit for Walker to sign. While only playing in 24 games including 22 starts, Collins made an impact with his bat coming off the bench as the Bulldogs’ top pinch hitter.
Collins certainly had the biggest blast of the season off the bench last year for Ottumwa. Coming in to pinch hit in a game at spacious Legion Memorial Field against Johnston, Collins drilled a pinch-hit walk-off three-run homer with two outs in the seventh to give Ottumwa a thrilling 9-7 win.
Walker would love to see the same kind of shots hit out of Pat Daugherty Field by Collins starting next spring.
“Michael is a potential big bat in our lineup,” Walker said.
Collins and McIntosh celebrated their signings to IHCC together by showcasing their skills once more as teammates on the Ottumwa American Legion baseball team on Thursday. The two helped lead the squad to a 12-2 win over Monroe County.
Collins went 2-3, had a double and drove in three runs while also scoring once at the plate. McIntosh added an RBI, scored a run and caught most of the game.
“We always like to get area kids with the right talent that have a good chemistry and will be passionate about the game.” Walker said. “Hopefully, having a familiar face gives them a comfort level here.”
“They’re going to face some new challenges on the college level, but they can help each other by pushing each other just like they have throughout high school.”
Sports
April 9, 2012
Bulldogs McIntosh, Collins sign with IHCC baseball
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