Pictured in front from left at a letter of intent signing is Gavin Eyre’s sister Allison Eyre, Gavin Eyre, Gavin’s father, Jesse Eyre, and Jesse Eyre’s girl friend Amanda Mountcastle. In the back row are Gavin’s grandparents, Robin and Gary Eyre.
By Bruce Rolfe
Climax-Scotts High School senior Gavin Eyre is looking forward to his senior year baseball season approaching, but the Climax teenager also has a good reason to be excited about his future endeavors on the baseball diamond after high school.
Eyre, surrounded by family, friends and Spring Arbor University baseball coach Ryan Marken, signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Spring Arbor University December 19 at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
The C-S senior, who has been used mainly as a starting pitcher and playing in the infield when he’s not pitching at C-S, said he’s looking forward to his next opportunity on the baseball field.
“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. Hopefully, I can be successful,” said Eyre.
Marken said the first time he saw Eyre play was at a camp, and the C-S pitcher and infielder left a big impression.
“He’s a big, physical kid. I watched him swing the bat one time and thought to myself, that’s going to play at the college level. And then he did it over and over. Just pretty exciting from an offensive standpoint. He threw a bullpen for us. It’s a live arm. One where we look at, there’s a ton of potential there. We think that once we get him in the program and hanging around our strength and conditioning guys and hanging around our pitching coach, he could do something for us on the mound as well,” said Marken, who just completed his ninth year as Spring Arbor University’s baseball coach.
While Eyre’s skills on the baseball diamond drew his interest, Marken said Gavin’s positive characteristics off the field impressed him as well.
“Then I got the opportunity just to meet Gavin and talk with him. Spend some time with him. From a personal side of it, I think he’s going to be an incredible fit in our clubhouse. I think he’s going to be a tremendous young man on our campus. He’s going to represent our program extremely well. Checks all the boxes in terms of the character fit. So we’re excited there and excited to have him and his family join us. I think he’s going to help us on a baseball field, but most importantly, I think Gavin’s going to be incredibly successful in the classroom and in the community. Just help Spring Arbor baseball and who we are, so we’re excited about that,” offered the Spring Arbor University baseball coach.
The C-S senior said he understands the competition will be higher in most games at the collegiate level, but he’s eager to learn and work hard to get better.
“Hopefully I can adjust and learn from some of the bigger guys and just get better with them,” said Eyre.
Eyre was C-S’ number one starting pitcher last year and played third base and shortstop. He batted in the number three slot in the batting order. Overall, he enjoyed a very successful junior season, earning Most Valuable Player recognition in the SCAA, first team all district and first team all regional honors and he was honorable mention all-state.
Defensively, Marken said the C-S senior will likely see playing time at an infield position, with his role being determined by how he progresses and when the games begin.
“We like our infielders to be versatile and how he fits in that regard will ultimately be up to him and just how he pans out that first fall. Kind of see where he fits from a third base, first base standpoint. But if you can hit, you can play. So that’s probably going to be the case for him,” explained Marken.
The Spring Arbor University baseball coach adds Eyre’s performance on the mound as he transitions into the college game in the summer and in the fall will determine his role on the mound, but pitching out of the bullpen is likely where he will start.
“I think most incoming guys, the bullpen is where the majority just start out. Just because being a starter is a little bit different at the college level. To be successful in that, you’ve got to be able to throw three pitches for strikes and do it really well. But if you can throw two and do it well, you can definitely be a bullpen guy, and so we probably plan on starting him out there,” offered Marken.
Eyre said he’s eager to participate in any role to help the team and make an impression, noting “I just want to play my part.”
Eyre will be following the footsteps of C-S graduate and current C-S Jr./Sr. High School counselor Brandon Haynes playing baseball at Spring Arbor University.
“He was a great player, better young man. An incredible human, and to this day, one of my favorite people to come through our program. He could play baseball, but who he is as a person is much more significant to me,” said Marken.
Eyre said Haynes has already offered him advice what to expect at the college level, something he greatly appreciates.
Eyre said he plans to major in a financial aid program at Spring Arbor University.
The C-S senior said his experience at Climax-Scotts has been positive.
“It’s been really fun. I learned a lot from Coach (Kevin) Langs. Coach Langs has taught me a lot. It’s helped me get to where I’m at today,” said Eyre.
Climax-Scotts High School senior Gavin Eyre is looking forward to his senior year baseball season approaching, but the Climax teenager also has a good reason to be excited about his future endeavors on the baseball diamond after high school.
Eyre, surrounded by family, friends and Spring Arbor University baseball coach Ryan Marken, signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Spring Arbor University December 19 at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
The C-S senior, who has been used mainly as a starting pitcher and playing in the infield when he’s not pitching at C-S, said he’s looking forward to his next opportunity on the baseball field.
“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. Hopefully, I can be successful,” said Eyre.
Marken said the first time he saw Eyre play was at a camp, and the C-S pitcher and infielder left a big impression.
“He’s a big, physical kid. I watched him swing the bat one time and thought to myself, that’s going to play at the college level. And then he did it over and over. Just pretty exciting from an offensive standpoint. He threw a bullpen for us. It’s a live arm. One where we look at, there’s a ton of potential there. We think that once we get him in the program and hanging around our strength and conditioning guys and hanging around our pitching coach, he could do something for us on the mound as well,” said Marken, who just completed his ninth year as Spring Arbor University’s baseball coach.
While Eyre’s skills on the baseball diamond drew his interest, Marken said Gavin’s positive characteristics off the field impressed him as well.
“Then I got the opportunity just to meet Gavin and talk with him. Spend some time with him. From a personal side of it, I think he’s going to be an incredible fit in our clubhouse. I think he’s going to be a tremendous young man on our campus. He’s going to represent our program extremely well. Checks all the boxes in terms of the character fit. So we’re excited there and excited to have him and his family join us. I think he’s going to help us on a baseball field, but most importantly, I think Gavin’s going to be incredibly successful in the classroom and in the community. Just help Spring Arbor baseball and who we are, so we’re excited about that,” offered the Spring Arbor University baseball coach.
The C-S senior said he understands the competition will be higher in most games at the collegiate level, but he’s eager to learn and work hard to get better.
“Hopefully I can adjust and learn from some of the bigger guys and just get better with them,” said Eyre.
Eyre was C-S’ number one starting pitcher last year and played third base and shortstop. He batted in the number three slot in the batting order. Overall, he enjoyed a very successful junior season, earning Most Valuable Player recognition in the SCAA, first team all district and first team all regional honors and he was honorable mention all-state.
Defensively, Marken said the C-S senior will likely see playing time at an infield position, with his role being determined by how he progresses and when the games begin.
“We like our infielders to be versatile and how he fits in that regard will ultimately be up to him and just how he pans out that first fall. Kind of see where he fits from a third base, first base standpoint. But if you can hit, you can play. So that’s probably going to be the case for him,” explained Marken.
The Spring Arbor University baseball coach adds Eyre’s performance on the mound as he transitions into the college game in the summer and in the fall will determine his role on the mound, but pitching out of the bullpen is likely where he will start.
“I think most incoming guys, the bullpen is where the majority just start out. Just because being a starter is a little bit different at the college level. To be successful in that, you’ve got to be able to throw three pitches for strikes and do it really well. But if you can throw two and do it well, you can definitely be a bullpen guy, and so we probably plan on starting him out there,” offered Marken.
Eyre said he’s eager to participate in any role to help the team and make an impression, noting “I just want to play my part.”
Eyre will be following the footsteps of C-S graduate and current C-S Jr./Sr. High School counselor Brandon Haynes playing baseball at Spring Arbor University.
“He was a great player, better young man. An incredible human, and to this day, one of my favorite people to come through our program. He could play baseball, but who he is as a person is much more significant to me,” said Marken.
Eyre said Haynes has already offered him advice what to expect at the college level, something he greatly appreciates.
Eyre said he plans to major in a financial aid program at Spring Arbor University.
The C-S senior said his experience at Climax-Scotts has been positive.
“It’s been really fun. I learned a lot from Coach (Kevin) Langs. Coach Langs has taught me a lot. It’s helped me get to where I’m at today,” said Eyre.
