Yarrow commits to play for San Francisco

Stephen Yarrow has changed his collegiate baseball plans for next year.

The STHS senior shortstop has made a verbal commitment to attend the University of San Francisco on a partial baseball scholarship.

"My verbal commitment is pretty strong," Yarrow said.

Earlier, Yarrow signed with Western Nevada Community College in Carson City, but the Vikings' Nevada 4A Player of the Year candidate isn't bound to that agreement as long as he signs with a four-year school.

"They were ranked 33rd in the nation in the preseason poll, so I'm really excited about going there," Yarrow said. "A couple of four-year schools have been talking to me, but I told them I signed with USF."

WNCC coach D.J. Whittemore called Yarrow one of the top three recruits in Nevada when he signed him back in mid-January. STHS coach Matt Tillson was excited about Yarrow playing for Whittemore.

"D.J. handled the situation really well," Tillson said. "(Yarrow) would have learned a lot playing for him. On the flip side, he's going to a good, up-and-coming four-year school.

"It comes down to what he wanted to do and I'll support his decision 100 percent."

Yarrow said he won't actually sign the letter of intent until after the season.

The Dons are 21-21, including 4-8 in the West Coast Conference this spring, following an 8-0 shutout of Portland on Sunday. San Francisco pounded Nevada 17-2 last Tuesday. Last year, Yarrow led the Sierra Division with a .527 hitting average and hit four triples and five home runs. He also earned the George Maldonado Award as the MVP of the Kelley Baseball Showcase last summer.

Through 27 games this spring, Yarrow is hitting .614 with five home runs, 29 RBI and a .673 on-base percentage. In league play, Yarrow is batting .568 with 16 RBI and four home runs.

Tillson said the key for Yarrow has been his ability to hit with two strikes. Yarrow's fifth homer of the season on Saturday came on his final strike.

"Throughout his career he's done that," Tillson. "He's a very confident two-strike hitter. It really sets him apart from the other great players."