Phillips signs for Division 1 baseball
NRHEG senior Andrew Phillips signs a national letter of intent last week with his parents, Jeanette and Aaron, at his side. Andrew will play Division I baseball at South Dakota State University in Brookings. Staff photo by Roy Koenig
It was an easy choice for Andrew Phillips with or without baseball. But much better with it. The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva senior signed his National Letter of Intent on Nov. 9 to attend Division I South Dakota State University.
“I went out there for their baseball camp and to visit a couple times,” said Phillips. “Even if I wasn’t playing baseball, it just felt like it fit with agriculture. And I’ve grown up on a farm. It was really easy once I met the coaches.”
He’s impressed with the facilities in Brookings and likes the idea of being close to home. “To go back and help on the farm. My friends, family can come watch me because it’s not too far away,” he said.
Phillips is a strong-hitting centerfielder for the Panthers who steals plenty of bases, including home on occasion. He hopes to crack the lineup somewhere in the outfield for the Jackrabbits as a freshman. A crowd of family, teammates, and classmates attended a signing ceremony in the high school gym.
NRHEG baseball coach Mark Lee says Phillips has the right approach to succeed. “He never stops learning. He just keeps working hard,” said Lee, who has worked with him since eighth grade. “Every year he just got better and better. And that’s what’s going to make it fun to watch him progress as a college baseball player.”
Lee is happy to have him for one more season. “It’s going to be a good time. He’s going to be fun to watch. He’s got a lot more tricks in his bag after this last summer and fall,” Lee said.
Phillips tried out for the Twin Cities-based Blizzard at age 14. And not making that club team was a crucial point in his development said his father Aaron. “That’s probably the best thing that ever happened to Andrew. Because after that he started taking hitting lessons from them that winter,” Aaron said.
He made the team the following year. “He wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for his drive and determination. He works harder than anybody I know.”
Andrew’s mother Jeanette gave credit to Aaron. “The hours he put into Andrew have been absolutely amazing. They would go outside and play catch for hours. He’s been his coach since t-ball,” Jeanette said.
Andrew echoed those sentiments.
“He’ll throw batting practice to me. Doesn’t matter when it is. If I ask him, he’ll drop everything…He’ll hit fly balls. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my whole family.”