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CITY, N.D. (VCSU) – Valley City State University baseball coach Casey Olney announced today that three Carrington natives have signed letters of intent to continue their education and baseball careers at VCSU.  

Patrick Freeman, Easton Paeper, and Brady Smith all plan to attend VCSU and play baseball for the Vikings starting this fall.  The trio come from a very successful baseball program in Carrington, which won the 2014 Class B State Legion Tournament, placed 4th at the State High School Tournament in 2013 and was the Region 3 runner-up last season in high school baseball.

“I am very happy that the trio of Carrington players has chosen to continue their education and athletic career here at VCSU,” said Olney. “They come from a program that has been very successful in recent years, capped with a state championship last summer, and are the type of people and athletes that we are looking for. I expect all three to make an immediate positive impact in our program both on and off the field.”

Valley City State University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and is a conference member of the North Star Athletic Association. The Vikings posted a 19-29 record during the 2013-14 season and placed third in the conference. VCSU is off to an 8-3 start during the 2014-15 season. 

Patrick Freeman – 5’9″ P/3B – 2014 Graduate of Carrington HS

A 5-foot-9 pitcher and third baseman, Freeman was named tournament MVP of the 2014 Class B State Legion Tournament after picking up a pair of victories on the mound. 

He was named 2014 Region 3 Senior Athlete of the Year in baseball and was also named Senior Athlete of the Year at Carrington High School during his senior year. He previously attended college at North Dakota State University.  Freeman is the son of Dennis Freeman, Karmen Freeman, Nancy Fuchs and Josh Fuchs. He plans to study fisheries and wildlife management while at VCSU. 

Easton Paeper – 5’10” C – Senior at Carrington HS

A 5-foot-10 catcher, Paeper has been named to the All Region Team and played a critical role on the Carrington Legion Post 25 team that won the 2014 State Championship.  He batted .350 last year for Post 25, and has played in four state baseball tournament throughout his career in Carrington. Paeper was also a standout football player for the Cardinals, earning the Top Rock and Defensive MVP awards and an honorable mention all region selection last season.  Paeper is the son of Tonia and Steve Erickson. He plans to study computer information systems while at VCSU. 

Brady Smith – 6’0″ 2B/SS – Senior at Carrington HS

A 6-foot middle infielder, Smith had a hot bat last season for Carrington Legion Post 25, batting .456 with six home runs and 43 RBIs.  He helped lead the Cardinals to a 26-11 record and the 2014 Class B Legion State Championship. He has been named to the All Region Team in baseball and was an honorable mention All-Region selection in football. Academically, Smith is an honor student at Carrington and a member of the National Honor Society.  Smith is the son of Kyle and Layne Smith. He plans to study biology while at VCSU.