Fort Zumwalt South righthander Gerrion Grim thought he found his college destination in July when he made a verbal commitment to Southern Illinois Edwardsville.
But the Bulldogs senior found what he considers a better fit last week, and thus he decommitted from SIUE and pledged to the University of Missouri.
"I just think it's the best fit for me, academically and athletically," Grim said.
Unlike football, college baseball programs have fewer scholarships to offer to fill their rosters. They often offer percentages of scholarships rather than full scholarships. So prospective baseball players have to weigh the value and true cost of college.
"Missouri had a better offer," Grim said. "Missouri always felt like it would be the spot for me. It had the natural feel."
A 6-foot-1, 185-pounder, Grim has been one of the area's more productive pitchers the past two seasons, using his fastball in the upper 80s, curveball and off-speed assortment to win 11 games.
"I think with him, he's got such a high upside," Zumwalt South coach Keith DeShurley said. "Talking to the coaches form Mizzou, they really like what he might be down the road. He's kind of a taller kid. He has a lean body. I think he still has a lot of growing to do, on the mental side and physical side, as a pitcher."
As a junior, Grim went 6-5 with one save and a 2.13 ERA in 65 2/3 innings over 12 appearances (11 starts). He struck out 72 batters, walked 33 and limited opponents to a .245 batting average.
"Last year stepping up into the No. 1 spot, it didn't surprise anybody that he was able to do that," DeShurley said.
Grim also batted .325, with five doubles, one home run, 16 RBIs, 10 runs and a .349 on-base percentage.
As the Bulldogs' No. 3 starter as a sophomore, Grim went 5-1 with one save and a 1.91 ERA in 40 1/3 innings over 11 games (seven starts). He struck out 45, walked 27, and opponents batted .188 against him.
Grim is the fourth area senior to make a verbal commitment to the Tigers. He follows Webster Groves pitcher Peter Fairbanks, Marquette outfielder Sean Ullrich and Kirkwood pitcher Griff Goodrich.
Verbal commitments are non-binding. High school seniors who cannot sign binding baseball letters of intent until November.
DeSMET's MABON GETTING ATTENTION
DeSmet linebacker-wide receiver KeVonn Mabon is one of the area's top uncommitted senior prospects. He is gaining interest from a variety of schools.
"I got a request today from Iowa for his first film," DeSmet coach Pat Mahoney said Tuesday.
Mabon (6-2, 210) played a stand-up defensive end as a junior — he registered 54 tackles, including seven for loss, along with two sacks and two fumble recoveries — and is now making the transition to linebacker.
He has scholarship offers from Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, Ball State, Northern Iowa and SIU Carbondale and will receive more in the next few months.
Schools are looking at the athletic Mabon as a potential wide receiver or linebacker.
Mabon and classmate Durron Neal, who has committed to Oklahoma, could within the next few seasons add to an impressive list of DeSmet alums starting for college programs.
Wes Kemp is a starting wide receiver at Missouri. Kurt Hammerschmidt is starting at tight end at Iowa State. Ray Agnew is starting at fullback at Southern Illinois. Agnew's younger brother, Malcolm, is expected to start at running back for Oregon State on Saturday as a freshman.
PARKWAY NORTH'S JOHNSON NARROWS LIST
Parkway North senior power forward Darrell Johnson was an under-the-radar prospect last winter, when he averaged 12.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 blocked shots.
But Johnson (6-8, 235) had a breakout summer with his Baylor Youth Foundation traveling squad. He said he received more than 30 scholarship offers and is now in the process of narrowing his list of schools and beginning to set up official visits.
Johnson said he is interested in Tulsa, SIU Carbondale, Detroit, Indiana State, Old Dominion, Robert Morris, Missouri State, Minnesota, Iowa, Murray State, Ohio and Temple.
"All have offered except Temple and Old Dominion," he said.
The Parkway North post player, who also plays football, has set up an official visit to Tulsa at the end of October.
Johnson's senior football season got off to a strong start Friday when the defensive tackle had a career-high three sacks in a 38-35 overtime win against visiting St. Louis University High.
COLLEGES CHECKING ON HOWELL'S SIEBENSHUH
Francis Howell quarterback Eric Siebenshuh is getting his chance to show what he can do as the Vikings starting quarterback.
"A lot of schools want to wait and see how my first few games go," he said.
His first game went well. Siebenshuh completed 16 of 28 passes for 352 yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions, and also ran for a touchdown in a 53-17 win over Holt.
Siebenshuh (6-4, 205) does not have any scholarship offers, but he will before long if he keeps performing at a high level. He's been in contact with a few schools.
"I'm talking to Iowa and Northern Iowa the most right now," he said.
