Congratulations to Riley Poston, Lancaster High School 2022, for selecting Thomas More University (TMU), Crestview Hills, Kentucky, to continue his academic pursuits and play college baseball! TMU's team is known as the 'The Saints'  and competes in NCAA Division II Great Midwest Atlantic Conference. The team is very successful and has won championships in the President's Athletic Conference 2008, 2011 and 2016 and NCAA Division III Tournament appearances in 2000, 2003, 2010, 2011 and 2016.

Going to college and playing college baseball is a big deal for anyone, and Post 11 is very happy for Riley and proud of his accomplishment. He has certainly worked hard and deserves it!

As a junior at LHS, Riley helped his 2021 team to its 3rd consecutive Ohio Capital Conference title and its 3rd straight Division I Central District Championship with a .349 BA, .472 OBP, 24 RBIs, 13 of 14 SB, .955 FP and played in 30 games. Riley also landed 2nd Team All-OCC honors. That is a heck of a season in a very tough league! This summer will be Riley's first season with Lancaster Post 11 and we are excited to be on a team with him. 

Below is an interview with Riley on his decision to go to college and play baseball. It's a great read. You'll quickly see his balanced and focused perspective, strong work ethic, goal orientation and his drive to use his talents to support his teammates. Planning on going to college and playing baseball? If so, pay especial attention to Riley's advice to other players on the recruiting trail.

We're happy for you, Riley, and grateful to be on a team with you this summer! 

Here's a link to Thomas More University. Check it out: https://www.thomasmore.edu/. And, you can follow Riley on Twitter @rileypostonn

Congratulations, Riley!

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Which college have you committed to? I have committed to Thomas More University

Have you picked a major yet? If so, what is it and why did you choose it?  I have chosen to go into Exercise Science, Pre-physical therapy and I chose it because I went through physical therapy and took an interest in it and the job.

How does it feel to know that you’ll be going to college and why?  It feels good to have my decision made and to know where I’m going, I’ve always wanted to go to college and play so this is just finally taking the next step.

What is your favorite thing about the college you chose and why? My favorite thing is that it is a smaller school so I can communicate with my professors easier and I like the small campus feeling but there’s a big city 15 minutes away.

How do you see yourself contributing to your new college baseball team? I see myself contributing in similar ways that I contribute to my current teams, through leadership and bringing a passion and energy to the game. I can also go track down a ball in the outfield and I can hit the baseball pretty well I’d say.

What do you know about your new coach? And, how will you go about getting to know him and his staff and what they expect of a new team member?  I know that he’s been at TMU for a while , 23 years, 3 as the head coach. He played for the Lancaster Scouts back in the 90s. I will learn more about him and his staff and what they expect just through communication with them and being around them and the team.

What do think will be the most challenging about college baseball? I think the most challenging part will be time management, balancing baseball and school work and time for just relaxing and taking a break from both.

How does it feel to be facing your final year of school ball?  It’s crazy that it’s already my last year with Lancaster, it’s a sad, bittersweet feeling but we have work to do.

Will you approach your final year of school ball and summer ball differently now that you are a committed college baseball player? Not really, I will just continue to work hard and do the little things like I do already. Hard work has gotten me to this point and it will continue to push me to new heights.

What advice would you give other Post 11 players going through the recruiting process and considering a college baseball career?  I would tell them to not rush their decisions and don’t stress if you’re not getting the looks that you want or any looks at all. Email and get in communication with coaches. Once you get looks, take as many visits as you can, once you see the campuses and everything you’ll be able to see yourself at home or that you don’t like the place.

What do you think will be the first thing you do when you get to campus? The first thing I’ll do is probably go find my classes and then hang with my new teammates, go to downtown Cincinnati.

Prediction – how many all-nighters do you think you’ll pull in your freshman year in college? I’m not sure, but I’m sure it’ll be quite a few balancing the medical field and baseball.