August 25, 2004
Saris Makes College Commitment!

Jimmy Saris, Langley HS (McLean, VA), RHP 2005, 6' 0", 185, commited today to play baseball next year at Duke University in Durham, NC, a member of the highly competitive NCAA Divsion I Atlantic Coast Conference.
Saris, 17, the ace of head coach Jeff Ferrell's Langley Saxon (Liberty District) varsity baseball team (1st Team All-District, 2nd team All-Region) chose Duke over offers from ACC rivals UVA, Clemson, and Boston College. Nationally ranked power houses such as Notre Dame and Long Beach State were also recruiting the hard throwing right hander from Great Falls.

Saris, whose fastball has been clocked over 90 mph who led the Liberty District in regular season strike outs this spring (86 K in 59 IP) chose Duke for its top notch academics and chance to pitch right away. "Head Coach Bill Hillier, Sr., is a hugely knowledgeable former pitching coach and terrific teacher," said Jimmy Saris. "He's a player's coach who's Duke team is perhaps one pitcher away from the NCAA regional tournament." Saris, also plays for Coach Chris Warren's VA Barnstormers, the premier travel showcase team in nothern Virginia.

Saris played for the NABF team in the USA Baseball's Tournament of Stars in Joplin, MO. He credits the Joplin tournament for his big chance to be seen by many top ranked college recruiters. "That was my big break. I got to be seen by all the best baseball schools in America. I thank Coach Warren for that. To go to an Ivy League caliber school and pitch in the ACC is awesome." said Saris. "It's what I've been working long and hard for since Little League. Joe Lewin, my coach on the Astros in the Vienna Little league, would be proud of me."