HIGHLAND - This time last fall Josh McCoy was sitting 72-75 with his fastball. The 6-8 right-hander is now closing in on 90 miles an hour and with the improvement has come a commitment to Eastern Michigan.

“Once I started putting the work in lifting and stuff my velo has really gone up,” noted the 21st-rated 2022 RHP in the state. “Now I’m sitting 88-90.”

Mid-American Conference schools Ball State and Western Michigan also took notice of the Milford High School senior but EMU is the fit McCoy was looking for in a college.

“It all started in January when I posted a video on twitter throwing 87 on the mound at a pitching lesson,” reflected McCoy. “After that I started talking to (head) coach (Eric) Roof. With the dead period I couldn’t be seen in high school, but after that I had a few phone calls with coaches Aaron Hilt and Roof.

“In the later half of summer coach Roof came to a couple games to watch me throw. Nothing really happened, but then in late August coach Hilt came to a game,” continued McCoy, in reference to the pitching coach at Eastern. “An hour or two later coach Roof wanted me to come to campus. A week later I went on a visit. I got an offer that day and committed that day.”

At 6-8 and 196 pounds, one thing obviously stood out about the 17-year-old.

“They said I have a really projectable frame and that I could really help out their program,” McCoy related.

The 52nd-ranked senior in Michigan was also impressed with EMU.

“I really like the coaching staff, and the whole atmosphere in general,” McCoy noted. “It’s what I was looking for in a college.”

It was five or six years ago that the idea of playing at the next level entered the thought process of McCoy.

“I’ve wanted to play college baseball since I started playing travel ball at age 11 or 12,” pointed out McCoy. “Last fall is when I started to put my mind to it and really train to get to the point of playing collegiate baseball.”

Work in the gym resulted in increased velo for McCoy, who was 6-4 and 170 pounds last year.

“If you have a goal just chase it,” was the advice McCoy provided. “Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Just keep working.”

Leadership skills and a strong work ethic are traits McCoy believes he can provide the Mid-American Conference program.

“I’m someone who will get the team going and provide support for everyone,” related McCoy, whose initial interest in Eastern came at a camp a few years back.

“That’s when I knew I liked the atmosphere there,” McCoy reflected. “I also went to the (PBR) Prospect Games there and really enjoyed playing on Eastern’s field.”

A pair of coaches are credited by McCoy with playing a major role in getting to the point of being a D-I commit.

“My coach Griffin Green was a big help in getting me in contact with Eastern and getting Eastern’s eyes on me and pitching coach Greg Haeger helped fix my mechanics,” McCoy explained. “The trainers at Prime Time Velocity were also a big help in developing me as a pitcher.”

Elementary education, with the thought of coaching in the future, will be the major for McCoy, a 3.1 student thrilled with knowing his future in college is just 45 minutes from his home in Highland.

“It’s pretty surreal to finally get to my goal of committing to a Division I school,” McCoy said. “It feels good to have all the hard work I put in pay off.”