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Tyler Junior College pitcher Michael LaCourse has signed an NCAA Division I scholarship with Dallas Baptist University, TJC coach Jon Groth announced.

LaCourse, a sophomore right-handed pitcher from Grapevine High School, was selected as a third-team All-American by the NJCAA in 2008. In 17 appearances during his sophomore season, LaCourse was 8-4 with one save, along with a 3.29 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched. Opposing hitters managed just a .218 average against him.

In 2007, LaCourse went 8-0 and was first-team all-NJCAA Division III World Series team in helping the Apaches win their first ever baseball national championship.

LaCourse had been offered a number of D-I scholarships. DBU had a breakthrough season in 2008, garnering a rare invitation, as an Independent NCAA Division I program to the NCAA tournament. That feat had not been accomplished since 1992. The Patriots were 37-19 won several games over NCAA Top 25 teams including wins over Rice, Oral Roberts and Texas A&M.

“Michael LaCourse was an important part of our national championship team in 2007, and was also important to our second straight MAC Championship in 2008,”

Groth said. “He had two good years for us and I’m proud that he’ll be playing for a rising NCAA Division I program and a fine young coach like Dan Heefner at DBU.”

LaCourse is the ninth Apache from the 2008 squad to sign with a four year college and among the 130 that have moved up the ladder to four-year baseball schools under Groth.

Other Apaches from the 2008 squad to sign with four-year colleges are: Matt Kinard, SE Oklahoma State; Mike McCollum, SE Oklahoma State; Cooper Page, Abilene Christian University; Davis Page, Abilene Christian University; Blake Worthen, SE Oklahoma State; Justin Eatherly, SE Oklahoma State; Randall Moore, Louisiana College; Clint Stroud, Arkansas Tech; and LaCourse.