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Nearly all the Verst family showed to celebrate Ethan’s signing with University of the Cumberlands. Pictured are Samantha, Aiden, Haley, Ethan, Matt, Madison, and Easton. Not pictured, Olivia Verst.
By Sam McClanahan
Pendleton County senior Ethan Verst fulfilled his lifelong dream by signing with the University of the Cumberlands on May 9.
Verst, a standout baseball player for the Wildcats varsity program, comes from a strong sports minded family that has seen all of his siblings have success in multiple sports. During his time at PCHS, he has also competed in varsity basketball, football, and golf. He views his official signing as validation and a reward for years of hard work and dedication.
"I am very excited about this. I've always dreamed of playing college baseball, so it's nice to see this dream become a reality," Verst said.
Verst will take his baseball talents to a Cumberlands program that competes at the NAIA level and in the Mid-South Conference. The Patriots have enjoyed plenty of success recently. Upon visiting campus, Verst knew quickly that it would be the place he would commit to.
"I like the coaching staff and loved the campus. It felt like a home away from home. They're a distinguished program with a lot of success and they were also a good fit for me from an academic standpoint," he explains.
In his senior season as a Wildcat, Verst has led his squad in nearly every statistical category there is to track. During the regular season he led the team in hits, runs scored, batting average, home runs, RBIs, doubles, triples and stolen bases. He's also the ace of the pitching staff and has accumulated 54 strikeouts with an earned run average of 3.02 per outing. And more than anything, he's had the time of his life representing his hometown.
"My time at PC has been amazing, there is no other county I would want to play for."
It seems destined that Verst would see this milestone achievement become a reality. He recalls his parents telling him that at nine months old he would sit and be infatuated watching Cincinnati Reds games. His love for baseball grew throughout his life and he would make his varsity debut as a seventh grader. He acknowledges that there are many people to thank for helping him throughout his journey.
"I would like to thank my mom and dad for pushing me to be the best version of myself. I'd also like to thank Colin Duffie for teaching me to play the game the right way and seeing the full potential in me. Also, Coach Steve Beane for always believing in me and sticking it out with me. I also want to thank my family and friends for their continuous support, and to Nate Jones for always giving me good advice and pointers on how I could improve to get to the next final. Last but not least, I'd like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love and for always keeping me safe."
Ethan is the son of Matt and Haley Verst of Butler.