High school students spend a good part of their senior year frantically searching for the perfect college and stressing about completing college applications.  However, even though he is only a junior, KJ Hockaday has already completed his college search.

Hockaday has officially committed to the University of Maryland to play baseball. During last year, he looked at different colleges, including the University of North Carolina and the University of Virginia. When he graduates, he will play Division I baseball for Maryland’s team as an incoming freshman.

“I wanted to start acting serious about baseball when my father said that I had a chance to make it somewhere big one day,” said Hockaday. The motivated junior started playing baseball when he was three years old. “I knew that in order to get there, it would take hard work and dedication,” he said.

It is not every day that a student is committed to a college as a junior in high school.  Hockaday is part of a college showcase team called the Mid Atlantic Mets. “This team has given college coaches a chance to witness my talents,” said Hockaday.

 Recruiters from University of Maryland approached Hockaday’s coach, Dan Gitzen , of the Mid Atlantic Mets, saying that they wanted to pursue him. “They gave a comment saying that I play like a man among boys,” said Hockaday. He went on an unofficial visit to Maryland and then was offered an 80% scholarship.

 The determined athlete’s persistent attitude and hard work over the years has paid off. Hockaday’s many years of dedication to the sport has proved to be rewarding and only a small part of his future as a baseball player. In the end, the gratified athlete, walking away with a scholarship to Maryland can only say, “I love the way things turned out and I am excited to play Division I ball at Maryland!”

Kirby Browning can be reached for comment at [email protected]