BUFFALO TWP — Jarrett Heilman was an unknown just 12 months ago.

Until he reinvented himself.

Heilman shed 60 pounds and then began shedding hitters with pinpoint control of a developing array of pitches for the Freeport baseball team.

“He was overweight and he realized that he had to get into better shape to be a better player,” said Freeport baseball coach Ed Carr. “When he lost the weight, I think it gave him more confidence as a person.”

And as a pitcher.

Heilman came out of his shell and emerged as one of the most dominant pitchers in the WPIAL.

Heilman was 9-2 with a microscopic 0.67 ERA as a junior for the Yellowjackets. He struck out 107 and walked just seven in 73 innings pitched.

That put the right-hander on the map with colleges.

And they came calling.

“Seton Hill, Gannon, Charleston,” Heilman pauses and then rattles off the names of more colleges who contacted him with interest in his pitching prowess. “Cal U, Lock Haven, Salem University.”

Heilman, though, committed to Mercyhurst University recently.

He said the deciding factor had nothing to do with baseball.

“When I was on campus, it was one of the few schools I could see myself at,” Heilman said. “I took baseball out of the equation and I could still see myself going there.”

That made it a done deal.

Also bolstering Mercyhurst's draw on Heilman was the baseball program's recent track record with pitchers.

Several Laker baseball players have been drafted in recent years.

“They have a reputation for building pitchers, improving velocity and spin rates,” Heilman said. “I'm excited to get going.”

Heilman was happy to make the decision now instead of later.

He said he was starting to get interest from some bigger schools, but decided to commit now to get the weight off his shoulders.

His right shoulder will have enough weight on it this spring.

Heilman hopes to somehow improve his performance on the mound for Freeport during his senior season.

“His command is something I've never seen in high school,” Carr said. “He doesn't walk anyone. He walked seven guys — that's unheard of in high school. His work ethic in the past year was off the charts.”

Carr, though, has cautioned Heilman not to put too much stock in the raw numbers.

Improving on an 0.67 ERA is a tall order.

“He could double his ERA and still be a better pitcher,” Carr said.

“Doubling his ERA would still be pretty good,” the coach added, chuckling.

Heilman is down to 188 pounds and his velocity is up in the high-80s.

He said he hopes to add a few more mph to that in college.

But Heilman is more about location and mixing up his pitches than sheer power.

“You don't have to blow people away to get people out,” Heilman said. “I'm in the best shape of my life and I feel like I have complete control.”

Heilman also enjoys pitching in the cold — he should have ample opportunity to do that in Erie County.

He said weather wasn't a factor in his decision.

“I'd like (to pitch) in Alaska if I could,” Heilman said. “I think it gives me an advantage as a pitcher to play in the cold.”