By Chris Valentine
PBR Ohio Scouting Director

At the Unsigned Senior Games in August, Moeller senior TJ Storer struck out five of six batters with a 79-81 mph fastball with excellent cutting action and 70-73 mph breaking ball. He complemented his skills on the mound with a smooth left-handed stroke at the plate.  

But, his skills aren't limited to the baseball field. 

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound prospect from the Cincinnati area carries a 4.0 grade point average in the classroom.

So, it's only natural that academics will play an important role as he will soon decide on his future college destination.

"I am currently deciding between Denison and Ohio Northern.  I have also received attention from other schools such as Miami, Rose-Hulman, Marietta, Heidelberg, Ohio Wesleyan, Tiffin, and Lake Erie," he said.

He continued, "The reason why Denison and Ohio Northern are my top two choices as of right now is because of their academics."

While Denison and Ohio Northern aren't exactly close to home, Storer feels comfortable with both programs as they offer opportunities on the diamond and in the classroom.

"I have played in front of the coaches of each school, multiple times, and they have told me that I could compete for time on the mound and in the field.  The idea of playing both ways in college has always been a dream of mine, which is why those schools are my top two," he explained.

In between the lines, Storer is a competitor. He played a leading role on Moeller's 2013 state championship team and has played for a successful Ohio Force travel baseball program. 

"I have visited both ONU and Denison recently and my relationship with the coaches is great. Both schools' coaches have emphasized the idea of winning their conference, which is important to me because I want to play for a school that is year-in and year-out competing for a conference title," he said.

In the near future, Storer is taking a visit to Rose-Hulman, who has a history of landing high academic players from the Moeller program.

But, when it comes down to Denison and Ohio Northern, the talented lefty has a favorite.

"At this point my leader is Ohio Northern.  It is a perfect fit for me academically because ONU has a pharmacy school, and pre-pharmacy is a major I am considering very strongly."