Elyria's Jake Neuschaefer has verbally committed to play baseball at Kent State in the 2012 season. Neuschaefer will be entering his senior season at Elyria High.

This past summer, Neuschaefer played for the North Coast Vipers after a stellar varsity season at Elyria. He was an All-Morning Journal First Teamer, an All-Lorain County First Teamer, an All-Northeast Ohio First Teamer and was a NEOBCA First Team selection in just his junior year. He hit .428 on the season with five home runs, 17 stolen bases and 31 RBIs. He also drew 27 walks.

Vipers teammate Sawyer Polen, who plays at Wooster Triway, also verbally committed to Kent State for the 2012 season.

Jake's brother Nolan Neuschaefer just finished a successful freshman season at Baldwin-Wallace, where he was named Outstanding Freshman and earned the Gold Glove Award.

He batted .333 with 43 hits and an on-base percentage of .428 in 33 games from the leadoff spot. He led the team with 44 runs scored, four triples and 13 stolen bases.

Defensively, Neuschaefer was outstanding with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 88 chances. He also led the outfield with 85 putouts, adding three assists, and was on the front end of three double plays.

swalker@MorningJournal.com