Baseball's Jacob Steels Headed to Cal Poly Next Season

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Allan Hancock Baseball centerfielder, Jacob Steels, has committed to continuing his academic and athletic career at Cal Poly next season.

"I ended up choosing Cal Poly for a couple of reasons. I really like how the coaches showed so much interest in me early on. They had three separate coaches come out to watch me play and it really showed me that they truly were invested in me. One of the major selling points that got me to commit was thinking about playing in from of a home crowd," shared Steels. "I've lived in Santa Maria my whole life, so the thought of playing for a Division I college so close to home was almost impossible to catch up." 

The Ernest Righetti High School alum is midway through his second season with the Bulldogs. He currently boasts an impressive .433 batting average and is currently ranked second in the state with 19 stolen bases on the season. The Santa Maria native holds a .500 on-base percentage and has registered three doubles, five triples, two home runs, and 17 RBIs on 42 hits.

"I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without going to Allan Hancock. When I first arrived on campus I was a little bummed that I had to go the JUCO route after high school, but it was definitely worth it," Steels added. "I had no idea the impact that it would have on my career. My coaches at Hancock have worked extremely hard to get me prepared to play at the next level, as well as helping me out with getting recruited and moving on. My time at AHC has been amazing and I wouldn't trade it for anything."