Photo by Kim North St. Clairsville senior Brody Saunders, third from left in front, is pictured with his family members and coaches as he signs his NCAA National Letter of Intent to continue his academic and athletic careers as a member of the baseball program at Ashland University. Pictured, front from left, are his sister, Ava, mom, Kari, Saunders, and dad, Chris. In back, from left, are St. Clairsville American Legion Post 159 manager Mike Muklewicz and St. Clairsville High School head baseball coach Tom Sliva.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A standout two-sport athlete from St. Clairsville announced his college plans on Thursday when he chose baseball over football.

Brody Saunders, a 6-2, 190-pound senior, will continue his academic and athletic careers at NCAA Division II Ashland University in northwest Ohio.

“It’s a little bit of a weight off my shoulders for sure,” Saunders said. “I figured I’d get it over with before the season started so that I could focus on my senior season by knowing where I am going.

“I actually went up there for a (summer) camp and it was beautiful. The field was amazing,” he recalled. “When I first stepped on campus, I knew this is where I wanted to go. I went on a tour of the campus, and, of the several options I received, it was the best for me.”

He said he chose Ashland over the University of Findlay, Ohio Dominican University and Wheeling University.

“It’s going to be a huge step,” Saunders said of the switch from high school to college. “But it all comes down to the basics. I’ve just got to get faster, stronger, bigger and command my pitches a little better.”

He throws three pitches, a fastball, slider and changeup. He threw a pair of no-hitters in high school last spring and defeated Indian Creek, a Division II Final Four squad, for the OVAC Class 4A title.

The Eagles compete in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference along with Cedarville University, the University of Findlay, Hillsdale College, Kentucky Wesleyan University, Malone University, Northwood University, Ohio Dominican University, Thomas More University, Tiffin University, Ursuline College and Walsh University.

“Brody comes from a great family. They’ve done everything they could to put him into this position,” St. Clairsville head baseball coach Tom Sliva said.

“He’s put in the time and effort and it paid off for him.

“I think it’s a good fit for him. He fell in love with it when he visited,” Sliva added. “He loved the facility and he loved the staff. He definitely felt it was a place he’d like to be.”

Despite his baseball success, Saunders still had to decide between it and football. After all, he was the Ohio Eastern District Division IV Defensive Player of the Year and a D-IV first-team all-state defensive end as the Red Devils went 13-0 before falling to eventual state champion Indian Valley in the Region 15 championship game at Sulsberger Stadium in Zanesville.

When asked how tough a decision it was, he replied, “A little bit. I still think about football here and there, but, ultimately, baseball is my favorite. I figured I’d go play the sport I enjoy the most.”

Saunders was also a standout on the mound and at the plate during the summer for St. Clairsville American Legion Post 159.

“Brody threw some big games for us last summer,” Post 159 manager Mike Muklewicz said. “He was just coming off a really good high school season and he kind of broke out at the plate and on the mound for us. Everybody sees him as a great pitcher, but he’s a great athlete and all-around kid. I’m fortunate enough to be able to coach a kid like him.”

Signing day has become a norm for Sliva and his well-respected program.

The Red Devils have numerous alumni currently playing at the collegiate level.

“It’s exciting,” Sliva said of signing day. “The kids put a lot of work and effort into it, and it pays off. They all come from great families.”

Saunders is the son of Chris and Kari Saunders.