Huntington North High School senior Lucas Thorn committed to continuing his academic and baseball careers on Thursday afternoon, signing with Bethel University located in Mishawaka, Indiana.
The Pilots are members of the NAIA Crossroads League, the same athletic conference as Huntington University. That, combined with the relatively close proximity of Bethel University to Huntington were notable factors in Thorn’s choice. Thorn also enjoyed the small feel of Bethel’s campus community, saying it makes him feel more valued and wanted than if being among tens of thousands of students at a large university.
Huntington North baseball head coach Jarod Hammel believe Thorn has what it takes to compete at the next level on both sides of the ball, but noted Thorn’s hitting ability will serve him well as he takes the next step in his playing career.
“Lucas has some exceptional gifts as a hitter,” Hammel said. “The swing that he has developed allows him to have a large margin for error, enabling him to hit a wide variety of pitches, which will really benefit him at the college level.”
Thorn has been a member of the Vikings’ varsity baseball team since his freshman year, where he played a key role on the team for the majority of the season before suffering an injury late in the season.
Hammel, who returns as the Vikes’ skipper this season after leaving the program after Thorn’s freshman season, is excited to see Thorn’s leadership on display during his senior season and knows Thorn will play a valuable role for the team both on and off the field in his final high school campaign.
“Lucas knows the culture that we are working to build and the style of play that we desire from our Viking baseball players,” Hammel said. “His words and actions will be critical as we introduce young players into the program this spring. I look forward to seeing Lucas excel on the field and as a leader.”
Thorn plans to study accounting or finance while at Bethel for a future career in the financial world.