Zach Thompson has become the second Ooltewah High School baseball player to commit to Tennessee Tech for next year, joining center fielder Drew Toth.
Thompson, who throws a fastball in the mid- to upper-80s, has a 3-0 record.
"His ERA is 4.14 but you take out the one bad game he had and his ERA is 1.30," Ooltewah coach Brian Hitchcox said.
"That game I had some personal stuff on my mind, I guess, but I've been concentrating more since," the right-hander said.
In 23 2/3 innings, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Thompson has struck out 39 while issuing just eight walks.
"I didn't visit anywhere else although I had some interest from Lee [University], Carson-Newman and Samford. Tennessee Tech had a great atmosphere and felt like home. I could see myself there in the future," Thompson said.
"It's a good fit," Hitchcox said. "He wants to be an engineer and he really seems to like the school and the coaching staff."
Thompson is the third current Owl to make a college commitment. The other is middle infielder Cody Rhinehart, who's headed to Bryan College.
At Tennessee Tech, Thompson will be reunited with former Ooltewah pitcher Garrett Baugh, who was a senior in Thompson's freshman year. Baugh has a 2-2 record with a 4.05 ERA for the Golden Eagles this season.
Also in Cookeville and leading the team in a number of offensive categories is former Soddy-Daisy standout Zach Stephens. The first baseman/designated hitter has a .455 batting average, 12 home runs, seven doubles and 33 RBIs, all of which are team bests.
Former Walker Valley player Brandon Turner is one of Tech's assistant coaches.