Joshua’s Linch signs with ETBU

By Zack Cunningham/sportsreporter@trcle.com

July 01, 2009 05:46 pm

— JOSHUA — The Joshua Owls are going to have quite a presence on the East Texas Baptist University baseball team for the next several years.
Joey Linch became the third Owl to sign with the Tigers on Wednesday at Joshua High School, and he will be joined by Cayden Cunniff and Austyn Ross in the fall.
Linch said the opportunity of playing at the college level is something that he is thankful for.
“I’ve wanted to play ever since I was little,” Linch said. “I wasn’t sure the opportunity was going to come. I’m pretty excited about it.”
Getting to play with two familiar faces since grade school will be an asset both on and off the field, Linch said.
“Austyn, Cayden and I have been best friends forever,” Linch said. “It’s going to be awesome getting to play with them. Of course, we’re going to have to push each other.”
Joshua head baseball coach Jason Bourgeois said the trio getting to start the journey at ETBU together will help immensely in getting adapted to college life.
“I think going off and playing college baseball is a hard thing in and of itself,” Bourgeois said. “Especially, going alone. But with them going together, they’ve played ball all their lives together and getting to continue to play at the next level will make it a lot more familiar. They’ll be able to push and police themselves.
“I think it’s a positive thing having them all going to that school. They don’t have to worry about meeting someone immediately. They get to carry on.”
Bourgeois said the Tiger baseball program will be better because of the arrival of the three Joshua graduates.
“I’ll tell you what,” Bourgeois said. “ETBU is going to get three great players. The work ethic from all three is second to none. I know I’ve said this, but they continued to work hard every single year.
“They’re going to get to play above what the average player is able to do, and be successful.”

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