Grace College snags Jacob Sapp

BRAWLEY — A baseball player nearly his entire life, Jacob Sapp was not prepared to say goodbye to the sport following the conclusion of his senior season at Brawley Union High.

The 17-year-old said he was exploring opportunities to continue playing after high school when a serendipitous proposition came his way a few months ago.

“(Grace College) needed a catcher, so they reached out to my high school coach, Pedro Carranza,” Sapp explained. The NAIA school is located in Winona Lake, Ind., which Sapp acknowledged was far from home, but not from family.

“My dad actually lives out there,” Sapp said.

Sapp then impressed the Grace College staff during his visit and tryout and was offered a chance to continue his education and baseball career a few days later.

“I love this game,” Sapp said regarding his decision to sign on for another four years. “There is always something you can do to get better.”

The Lancers are picking up a solid student-athlete in Sapp, who is just as dedicated in the classroom as his is on the diamond.

On the field, Sapp has held down the starting catcher’s position since his junior season. In that season, Sapp helped the Wildcats to an Imperial Valley League title and the program’s first CIF-San Diego Section Div. III title. He also picked up All-IVL Second Team honors along the way.

Sapp was as efficient in the batter’s box as he was behind it, hitting .348 on the season for the Wildcats with 24 hits.

The Brawley senior will join a Lancer team that competes in the Crossroads League taking on challengers primarily out of Indiana, but also Ohio and Michigan.

“I’m just excited to continue playing baseball and getting to see other parts of the U.S.,” Sapp said.

Sapp said he plans to study criminal justice while at Grace College. He also plans to take full advantage of his time left in the Imperial Valley and at Brawley Union High.

“It feels really good,” Sapp said with a smile after he signed his letter of intent. “It’s a big weight off of my shoulders. … I just want to focus on getting better every day and playing hard until the last game, which is hopefully in another CIF (final).”

KARINA LOPEZ PHOTOS ABOVE: Jacob Sapp reaches for a hit against Serra in the CIF-SDS Div. III championship game last season in San Diego. INSET: Sapp signs his letter of intent to play ball at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana as his mother Veronica Ruelas looks on.

KARINA LOPEZ PHOTO Coaches from throughout Jacob Sapp’s baseball career surround him for a photo following Sapp’s signing to Grace College at Ed Wiest Field in Brawley.