RIPPLE/Matthew Gorry
Starmount’s Alex Barr signed to play baseball for Western Carolina last week.
BOONVILLE - Alex Barr’s journey to the collegiate ranks took another unexpected turn last week.
The recent Starmount graduate signed to play baseball for Western Carolina University last week - his third school in less than a year - ending a strenuous saga for the power left-hander.
After originally inking an official letter of intent to play for Appalachian State, Barr was dropped after sustaining a knee injury during basketball season. The senior missed the rest of the year on the hardwood, but was also sidelined for the majority of the season on the baseball diamond.
Barr returned to the mound for the Rams on April 25 in a non-conference game against Davie County. The senior pitched in four games down the stretch, going 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA over those starts, leading Starmount to a dramatic Mountain Valley Conference tournament title.
Despite his strong return, ASU was unsure if the power lefty would return to his dominant form when they recruited him. The Mountaineers dropped Barr, forcing him to look elsewhere to play collegiate baseball.
“They didn’t think I had it in me to get back to 100 percent,” Barr said. “So I want to prove them wrong.”
The senior settled for Catawaba Valley Community College in Hickory, seemingly ending his dream of playing Division I baseball.
But then the Catamounts came calling.
After a workout, Western signed Barr, where he will team up with Starmount teammate Dillon Bray in Cullowhee.
“We have played together since we were little,” Barr explained. “I’m excited. I feel like it’s going to be the same.
Reach Matthew Gorry at 835-1513 or mgorry@heartlandpublications.com.
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