STORY: 2019 SS Keagan Vance (Clear Lake HS)

HOUSTON - Getting college interest is tough for most anyone, but playing on a winless high school team can make it even more difficult.

That was the case a year ago for Keagan Vance, now a junior at Clear Lake.

“Getting no wins, you can get overlooked a lot,” Vance said in reference to his sophomore year when the Falcons finished 0-14.

But a new head coach as well as an impressive showing at a PBR showcase has Vance gaining notice from colleges.

“Coach (David) Rogers has helped a lot,” Vance said. “We did well this year (12-17) coming back from a bad year.”

An umpire for 30 years, Rogers also has connections in the sport.

“There were a lot of colleges that have reached out to him about me,” Vance noted about Rogers, who was pitching coach at Manville before taking over the reigns of the program at Clear Lake. “He’s got my name out there more than anybody.”

Participation in the I-10 Border Battle in January also helped spark interest in the 13th-ranked unsigned junior in Texas.

“I heard about a friend going to a PBR event and doing well, so I decided to go to one at Lamar which is not far from home,”Vance explained. “I saw a lot of big mature kids there and then there’s me at 5-11, 160. They can be more developed going into college so there’s a lot of interest in them. But I got on the top performer page as one of the top infielders and that got my name out there.”

Colleges like Lamar, Louisiana-Monroe, Richland Community College and Northwestern Oklahoma State have since reached out to the 88th-ranked player in the state’s 2019 class.

“I’ve gotten a lot more arm strength,” said the shortstop/second baseman about where his game has improved. “I can throw from a deeper part of the field and get more outs. I’ve also improved from a running aspect. The weight room has helped me out a lot.”

College coaches have taken notice as well.

“The head coach at Lamar said he liked my range and good footwork when he saw me,” Vance said.

Getting better at the plate is another area that has picked up.

“I’ve really improved this year offensively,” noted the right-handed hitting Vance. “I’ve gotten a lot more extra base hits. But to complete the tools, I need to work on my speed more and getting around the bases faster. I’m a flat seven now, but that can come down by getting in the weight room more.”

Vance hopes facing strong competition will prove beneficial in the long run.

“Five of the eight teams in our district have a number one pitcher going to a D-I college, so I think that will prepare me for college facing that kind of good pitching,” Vance pointed out.

Still, overcoming the lack of size remains an issue to a small degree.

“A lot of the kids that got on the board early are kids that are really big,” Vance said. “But there are a lot of good talented people out there that are overlooked, at least at the Division I level. I’ve grown a little since some past showcases and feel I have stuff in my tank to give an extra boost wherever I end up. I know I can help defensively in my opinion, I just want to prove people wrong.”

That is the plan now that the high school season has come to an end.

“Once it went into the offseason I’ve emphasized the weight room,” Vance said. “I also want to go to showcases and compare my previous stats to show I’ve improved and that I’m not just saying it.”

Vance currently has a 5.02 GPA on a 6.0 scale.

“I’m in the top 15 percent at a tough academic school,” related Vance, who plans to major in business or the medical field. “That’s going to be a help along the way.”

Playing with the Banditos this summer is another way Vance looks to gain exposure as he readies to make a college decision.

“For Division I, I’m probably behind right now,” Vance said, referring to the lack of recruitment during his winless sophomore year in high school. “I know a lot of guys that got looks early on, but I’m not worried. I can still find looks where I’m going to be comfortable. Right now I’m just looking at all the options and considering everything. I’d love to play anywhere that I can make an impact.”

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