Mt. Vernon pitcher commits to Shawnee

MT. VERNON — The Rams’ incoming ace pitcher made his college plans known on Friday.
Jared Anthis, who finished last season 7-1 on the mound, will continue his baseball career at Shawnee Community College in Ullin.
“Anytime a kid can go on to college and play a game they love and get their school paid for, it’s a good day,” Mt. Vernon baseball coach Tim Holloway said. “We’re excited for Jared and his family. I think he’s going to be a good one.”
As a junior, Anthis threw 65 innings and had a 3.77 earned run average for a Mt. Vernon team that advanced to the sectional and finished with a 28-9 record and won the South Seven Conference championship.
“I pitched against quite a few tough teams last year, and I just think that’s going to help me this year,” Anthis said. “I’ve had experience with the tougher teams, and I think that’s going to help my team and I all around.”
The college located in southern Illinois north of Cairo is a good fit for Anthis, according to Holloway.
“I think it just fits his personality,” Holloway said. “Jared’s a laid-back guy and kind of a country boy. He’s going to feel at home down there. I think he’s also a player that has a high ceiling. He’s not done growing.”
Anthis is expected to be the ace of this season’s staff and has been working to improve his skills in the offseason.
“I’ve just been working on gaining velocity, getting my legs stronger, working on my upper body,” Anthis said.  full story