To stay or go? Tough choice for drafted Springboro grad Hurley

Springboro grad Zach Hurley

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By Sean McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 3:50 AM Saturday, June 13, 2009

Ohio State outfielder Zach Hurley has a decision to make.

“Biggest one of my life,” the Springboro High School graduate said of his next move after being drafted in the 45th round by the Florida Marlins this week.

While the chance to play pro ball fulfills a dream, the Marlins might not offer enough bonus money to make it worthwhile. His other option is to stay in school, improve as a player and hope the draft treats him better next year.

“The ball’s in my court, but I just don’t know yet,” said Hurley, a junior. “Pro ball is definitely tempting. It’s what I’ve wanted since I was 8 years old playing tee-ball, pretending to be Mark McGwire or Barry Bonds. But it’s not a decision made in a phone call or a day.”

The past year propelled Hurley into the spotlight. Last summer, while playing for the Todd Benzinger-managed Cincinnati Steam, he led the Great Lakes League with a .433 batting average and was named MVP and top prospect.

This spring, as an everyday player at OSU for the first time, he further enchanted scouts by hitting .346 with a team-high 89 hits as the Buckeyes won the Big Ten regular-season title and an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

A leadoff hitter, Hurley has developed a reputation as a hard-driving type who compensates for average “tools” with a grinding style.

“Being drafted is the best compliment you can get as a baseball player,” Hurley said. “If I decide to go or stay, just to say this happened to me is something I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life, whether I end up playing professional baseball or not.”

A senior academically, Hurley is three quarters shy of a degree in family resource management/consumer science. Another reason to return to school might be to dull the memory of that 37-6 loss to Florida State that knocked the Buckeyes out of the tournament.

“One of the most brutal, strangest games I’ve ever played in,” Hurley said. “It was out of control. In the top of the ninth, down by 30, their fans were still getting on me, wanting to be my Facebook friend and saying stuff about my family. Those fans down there are pretty sweet.”

Dunbar grad honored

Harvey Stewart (Dunbar) picked up some nice recognition recently when the Independent Collegiate Athletic Association named him to its all-freshman basketball team, along with Urbana University teammate Marcus Pearl. In 26 games, Stewart averaged 5.2 points (season-high 18) and shot better than 70 percent from the free-throw line.

The ICAA consists of nine NCAA Division II independents. Central State’s Doug Lewis was named coach of the year. Deon Stewart, Harvey’s brother, also plays basketball and will be a senior at Dunbar next season.

Campus tour

• Ohio Wesleyan University junior golfer Jordan Benner (Beavercreek) has been named a Division III Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Criteria for the award include having a stroke average under 79, a grade-point average of at least 3.2 and being of “high moral character.”

• Denison University catcher Alex Horn (Centerville) was named second-team All-North Coast Athletic Conference after batting .374 overall and .386 in conference play.

• Dan Bertrams (Alter), after several knee surgeries and a stint at Capital University, has made the Ohio State soccer team as a walk-on and will compete for playing time in the fall.

Anyone with news of local athletes competing in college sports is encouraged to e-mail smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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Why not report about someone straight out of high school from a little town Like Pittsburg OHIO?? Dayton daily news you missed it as always!! 706 pick in 23 round Austin Pressly Franklin Monroe High School, 6'4" RHP. The country folks have now been waiting for over a week for the Article??

Travis Gray
4:06 PM, 6/15/2009

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Yes "Wow" this is seriously an article. How many people from the Dayton area (residents, not those who went to school here) have made the Major Leagues that aren't named Michael Jack Schmidt? Yes this is an article that has (some) interest in this area. I agree he should stay in school and have that in case MLB doesn't pan out.

Scott
2:48 PM, 6/15/2009

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As hard as it may be, stay in school and improve your tools, if you do you will be drafted again next year and t should be higher with a higher signing bonus. The down side would be if you didn't make it to the majors and stick then you will have wasted a free education by not finishing.

Dale
6:48 PM, 6/13/2009

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Is this seriously an article? You were drafted in the 45th Round. The Marlins won't even be calling you. What is the signing bonus $500?

Wow
11:09 AM, 6/13/2009

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