EHS' Ryan Barnes Declares for OCC

Seated, left to right, Duane Barnes, Ryan Barnes and Amy Barnes. Standing, left to right, Effingham baseball coach Chris Fleener and  Ryan's younger brother Nathan Barnes.

Effingham High School pitcher Ryan Barnes has declared he will play his community college baseball for Olney Central College.

Barnes said when he visited OCC, he liked the facilities. He also, though, liked longtime OCC Coach Dennis Conley. Said Barnes, "This coach has been there 30 years and he get kids to the next level." He said he saw a folder of all of the former OCC players who have gone on to university or even professional playing status, and it impressed him.

Barnes said he thinks his strong point is an ability to make certain pitches in key situations, and to pitch his game regardless of the opponent or what's happening in a game.

EHS Baseball Coach Chris Fleener said Barnes is an overall good person, who plays for the fun of the game. Fleener said, "(Barnes) loves to play baseball. He is a very nice pitcher with a good attitude. (Barnes) handles himself well, on and off the field."

OCC Coach Dennis Conley saw Barnes playing summer ball and went to watch based on Coach Fleener and the Mizuno summer coaches recommendations.

"He has good size and a high ceiling for improvement," said Conley. "He just needs to work on his velocity and mechanics to pitch at the college level.

"Our team went 22-21 last year and we're a young team this season. We wanted Ryan to give us pitching depth."

Barnes is the son of Duane and Amy Barnes.