SPSV SENIOR James Terrell Jr. signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Fresno State after one more spring season with the Bruins.

James Terrell Jr. still has one season left to play with the St. Patrick-St. Vincent High baseball team this spring, but the senior’s athletic future beyond high school is already coming into view.

Terrell recently signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Fresno State University after graduating from SPSV. A star for the Bruins since stepping on the field as a freshman in 2012, Terrell has been a First Team All-League player in each of his three seasons with SPSV.

“I’ve just been taking it in,” Terrell said after signing with the Bulldogs. “It’s a great experience.”

Terrell made a quick impression with the Bruins early in his freshman season, going 4-for-5 with a triple, two home runs and three RBI in a victory over Vallejo. Last season, he hit .387 with 19 runs, 20 RBI, four homers and 11 extra-base hits.

Terrell received some major exposure last August when he played in the 28th annual Area Code Baseball Games in Long Beach. Schools like USC, UCLA, Michigan and Long Beach all wanted his services, but Terrell’s heart was with Fresno State long ago. He verbally committed to the Bulldogs last November after playing in a summer camp on campus.

“Right when I got there it felt like home,” Terrell said. “I was standing in their outfield and it reminded me of St. Pat’s.”

Fresno State won the College World Series in 2008 and Terrell remembers watching them on television that season. Bulldogs assistant coach Ryan Overland, a member of that 2008 championship squad, saw Terrell play for the NorCal travel-ball team two summers ago and liked his leadership ability and will to win. Terrell liked Fresno State’s professional approach.

“It’s a very professional program,” Terrell said. “They let you display your ability.”

Terrell attributes much of his ability to his father – James Terrell Sr., who happens to be SPSV’s head baseball coach. The younger Terrell never felt uncomfortable having his father lead the show.

“I knew the system and it was exciting,” Terrell said. “I love playing for my dad. He’s a really good coach. His knowledge is priceless and he always treated me like everyone else on the team.”

Terrell was also a football star for SPSV until this season, when he opted to focus solely on baseball. UCLA’s football program expressed interest in Terrell, but baseball was his true calling.

“I was here his freshman year,” said SPSV first-year Athletic Director and football head coach Lane Hawkins. “The first time he touched the ball was a touchdown, and he’s been doing great things like that since he’s been here.”

“I’m just not a football player,” Terrell said. “I love baseball.”

Terrell plans on majoring in business at Fresno State with hopes of becoming a stock broker some day. Well, maybe becoming a stock broker is more like a fall-back position. He got a chance to work out with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this month in Dodger Stadium and has several pro baseball scouts keeping tabs on him for next spring’s amateur draft.

“Mentally I need to stay positive,” Terrell said. “Physically I have to continue to get stronger and faster.”

“We’re grateful for his opportunity and wish him all the best,” Hawkins said. “I think he’ll do great things at Fresno State.”

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