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Published: November 13, 2009 12:26 am

BASEBALL: GI's Klock to pitch at Niagara

After years of pitching at Sal Maglie Stadium as a visitor, Joel Klock will finally be able to call the Maglie mound home beginning next fall.

The Grand Island senior told the Niagara Gazette on Wednesday that he will sign a National Letter of Intent to play baseball for Niagara University within the next few days. NU plays the majority of its home games at Maglie.

“I’ve been joking around with a couple of the guys on the team here at Grand Island that I better be throwing at Sal Maglie when we play Niagara Falls there this year. I want to make sure I’ve got the feel for the pitching mound,” Klock said with a laugh.

The lanky left-hander best known for his devastating curveball earned Niagara Gazette Baseball Player of the Year honors last spring after leading GI to the Niagara Frontier League championship and its first sectional title since 1980. He compiled a 7-2 record with a pair of saves, while striking out 117 batters and amassing a minuscule ERA of 1.84.

He also displayed some pop at the plate as he batted .429 with 23 hits, 17 RBIs and 16 runs scored. Defensively, he’s one of the area’s better first basemen.

“Coach McCoy said I would be able to pitch and play the field also, which sold me. I think I’ll be a two-way guy,” Klock said. “I really like the direction where the program is going there. In a couple years, if not sooner, they are going to be constant MAAC champs.”

McCoy, who was named head coach in June after serving on an interim basis last spring, is prohibited from commenting on recruits until he receives signed documents.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for him,” GI coach Dean Santorio said. “It’s always nice to see someone play locally, where his family can watch him. Niagara is a great academic school, too. I think he’ll do great there.”

Klock’s older brother Matt is a sophomore outfielder at St. John Fisher College.