JEFFERSON TWP — Jake Herrit has always been fascinated with the military.

The Knoch junior baseball standout will soon be a part of it.

Herrit verbally committed to the Army baseball program recently. He was offered a spot after standing out at a Prospect Camp last weekend at West Point.

Herrit still has two high school baseball seasons to complete.

“I know it's early, but no way could I pass up an offer like that. It's an honor,” he said.

“When I was little, I always watched the military channel. My grandmother would baby-sit me and I'd turn her coffee table into a battlefield for all of my plastic Army men. I've known for years I wanted to one day serve my country.

“To do that and play baseball there is just a tremendous opportunity,” he added.

Herrit hit approximately .300 as a sophomore third baseman for the Knights last spring. He did not play football last fall after playing quarterback for the Knights his sophomore year.

“I wanted to concentrate on baseball, getting stronger for that in the weight room,” he said. “I worked on my hitting more and my power is starting to come around.

“I will play football next year, though. I missed it too much.”

One of 100 kids to be invited to the baseball prospect camp hosted by army, Herrit played well enough to be one of 20 players pulled out to play a simulated game in front of the Cadet coaches.

Following that game, he was one of four players offered a spot as part of Army's 2018 recruiting class.

“I was totally surprised,” Herrit said. “Offered a chance to verbally commit right there ... It's not how I expected that weekend to end.”

First-year Army coach Jim Foster likes Herrit as an outfielder. Knoch may move him to that position this spring.

“Jake does bring a lot of speed to a team,” said George Bradley, who retired as Knoch coach after last season. “He is extremely athletic and a good all-around citizen.

“I can see where Army would have interest in him. A lot of kids are verbally committing earlier these days.”

Bradley described the situation as a “win-win” for all involved.

“Jake's taking his life in the direction he wants to go and Army is getting a speedster, a point guard-type of guy with cat-like quickness.”

Army competes in the Patriot League and is coming off a 16-32 season. Only two years ago, the Cadets were 33-18.

Foster was associate head coach at Boston College last season, helping the Eagles to a 35-win season — their most since 2009 — and the program's first NCAA Tournament berth since 2005. He was head coach at Rhode Island for nine years.

Herrit carries a 3.4 grade point average at Knoch and plans to study medicine in college.

“I love the new coaching staff at West Point and I feel like I can develop as a player there,” he said. “I'm hoping to maybe one day get drafted (in the MLB amateur draft).”

After four years of baseball, Herrit has a five-year commitment to serve with the Army. That can get waived if he were selected in the amateur draft.

But that's a long way off.

For now, Herrit is happy to have his college destination decided.

“I played on an 18-under summer team, the Ohio Glaciers, last year and some of the older kids on the team were feeling the pressure in trying to decide where to go,” Herrit said.

“I feel like that monkey is off my back now. I can focus on improving my game and enjoying the season.”