Standout Pitcher Lucas Rich ’20 Signs Letter of Intent to Play for Lehigh

Lucas Rich ’20 knew he wanted to play college baseball before he even enrolled at Newark Academy as a sixth-grader. Six years later, he has earned the opportunity to pitch at Lehigh University after his NA graduation. Lucas signed his National Letter of Intent on Nov. 13 in a ceremony at Newark Academy.
 
“It was a culmination of all the hard work,” Lucas said. “To actually do that and make that part official as to where my future is going to be at and where I'm going to be able to pursue baseball and academics, it was really a nice feeling. Both a beginning and an end to the process.”
 
After verbally committing in his junior year, Lucas signed his National Letter of Intent to play with the Patriot League team on November 13. The next part of the process – after playing for the Minutemen this spring and graduating – will be assimilating to the college level. Something the rigors of NA prepared him for.
“I think the biggest thing, that translates both on the field and off the field was figuring out the time management skills and being able to put in the work and finding that dedication,” Lucas said. “Coming to NA in sixth grade was a big jump in terms of coursework and learning how to balance academic and sports and learning life skills.
 
“The mentality of achieving goals was set in middle school and then ultimately translated to the field. I've been able to set goals that I have for myself on the mound, hitting certain velocities, playing in certain tournaments and winning tournaments, and ultimately creating the drive and the work to ultimately get to where I am and where I want it to be.”
 
Lucas helped NA win the NJSIAA State Sectional and Prep B Championship in 2017.
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