JEFFERSON TWP — Alex Stobert had plenty of choices.

A slew of schools came knocking for the Knoch senior's pitching arm, most Division I colleges.

And what an electric arm it was for the Knights in the spring. Stobert was 7-0 with a 1.81 ERA as a junior and helped Knoch to the PIAA Class AAA state title.

But when it come down to it, Stobert was more interested in an opportunity to springboard his talents to the next level.

And Tallahassee Community College offered the right-hander that chance.

“I just thought a junior college was the best way to go,” Stobert said. “I'll still be eligible for (the Major League Baseball first-year player draft) after the first year. I won't have to wait three years.”

Stobert will also be able to pitch for a team that has a reputation of sending players to Division I colleges, namely Florida State University, which is a mere four miles away.

“After two years, I can always try to land a spot at a big Division I school,” Stobert said. “That was the most important thing for me, having that flexibility.”

Stobert said he feel a weight lifted off his shoulders at making the decision early.

“Now I can just get back to work,” Stobert said.

Stobert said he also got offers from Youngstown State University, Virginia Commonwealth, Michigan State, Maryland-Baltimore County, Buffalo, South Carolina Upstate and Ohio University.

Ohio University was intriguing because Cole Shinsky committed to that school earlier this month.

Both Shinsky and Stobert will be back for the Knights as seniors.

“That was a big topic of conversation,” Stobert said. “They offered to me the next day, but it wasn't quite right for me.”

Stobert has been hard at work this summer.

He said he pitched in nine games for a 16-and-under team in Ohio as well as seeing some time on the hill in the Perfect Game National Championship in Georgia.

“I have a trainer and we're working on lifting and getting my core and lower half stronger,” Stobert said. “I pitched a lot this summer and I'm going to take it easy in the fall league.”

Stobert also reflected on the magical run the Knoch baseball team made to the state title.

Stobert and the team received their championship rings this week and he hasn't taken his off since, he said.

“It's still one of the greatest things to ever happen to me,” Stobert said.

Stobert is hoping for more great things in the future.

“I just want to thank all the coaches who have helped me,” he said. “Mike Burnham who coached me at Beaver Valley when I was 11 through 14 and, of course, (Knoch baseball coach George Bradley). They all gave me great advice and have been in my corner.”