Joe Ball

Joe Ball will earn his degree this spring at Lewis-Clark State College, but unlike his peers who will depart following graduation to begin a new chapter in their lives, Ball is hoping to stick around the college for a few weeks.

Ball is a pitcher on the baseball team, which is trying to qualify for the Avista NAIA World Series, The tournament takes place at LC State’s Harris Field on May 25-June 2.

“I have loved my three years at LC State,” he said. “I have enjoyed being on the baseball team the most.”

Ball is from Beaverton, Ore., and attended Southridge High there before playing a season at Lane Community College in Eugene, Ore. He then transferred to LC State as a sophomore as has been solid both on the field and in the classroom. As a junior he posted a 4-0 record with two saves and a 3.41 earned run average. He also was named to the CoSID Academic All-District team, a Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete, and Academic All-Cascade Conference.

This season, Ball is 2-1 as a relief pitcher with a 2.66 ERA, which ranks fourth on the team, and again was named Academic All-Cascade Conference.

While at LC State, Ball has been active with the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and served as vice president this past year. 

Ball will receive a degree in communications and is minoring in coaching. He will move to Coeur d’Alene following baseball to begin a job in sales.

“I am most excited about the possibilities I now have in the professional world with my degree,” Ball said. “I want to thank my advisor Kyle Ferguson as well as all of my professors for helping me get to this point.”