EJ’s Werner signs with Clarke College

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EJ’s Werner signs with Clarke College

EJ’s Werner signs with Clarke College

Red Devil baseball star will continue career on diamonds at next level

By Chris Fiel

Clarke College baseball coach Chad Harris stands and watches as Matt Werner signs his letter-of-intent last week. Matt’s dad Bill is seated next to him. (courtesy photo)

EAST JORDAN – Recent East Jordan graduate Matt Werner waited patiently for an offer and it paid off big for him. The young man will take his considerable baseball talents to Dubuque, IA and play for Clarke College next spring. Clarke is an NAIA school with a rich baseball tradition competing in the tough Midwest Collegiate Conference.
Forget waiting to find his place. Werner expects to compete for any position that Coach Chad Harris wants him to try out for, and he hopes to help the Crusaders continue their tradition of success.
Coming off a great season for the East Jordan Red Devils, and a stellar summer season playing with a talented group of area athletes forming the District 8 Team out of East Jordan that recently finished as runner-up in the State of Michigan, the sweet-swinging Werner is a proven commodity on the diamond and has a lot to be proud of. With the opportunity to continue his career at Clarke, Werner’s future looks bright indeed.
“Playing with the District 8 team was amazing,” Werner said. “I made a lot of new friends and we had the opportunity to play against some great competition. I hope to use that experience to get better and take my baseball career to the next level.”
The young man is naturally excited to be part of the Clarke program.
“I’m excited to get this part over with,” said Werner, who signed his letter-of –intent last week. “It was a long process and without the help of Rick Tasch of NSR, I am not sure this would have been possible.”
Werner is expected to play on the JV this year. With the help of the upcoming fall ball season, he will know which position or positions coach Harris wants him to play.
“I really don’t care where I play, wherever coach puts me is fine,” he said. “I will compete to the best of my ability and give it 100 percent.”
While he will be away from home, Werner knows he is only a phone call away from hearing a familiar voice. But with the ability to make new friends and play the sport he loves, homesickness shouldn’t be too big of a problem.
“The toughest part will be that I am nine hours from home,” he admitted. “I know it will be difficult to visit, but I feel the experience will be worth it.”
Matt, who received a two-thirds scholarship from Clarke, plans on majoring in business management. “That is something I look forward to; getting my education along with playing some ball,” he said.