Jakob Tirado '17 Recruiting Profile

Baseball has always been a major part of my life and when I started playing at 8 years old, I knew this was going to be a life-long favorite of mine.  I began playing baseball in California, where I had lived for a good portion of my life.  After my freshman year in high school my family moved across the country to North Carolina.  My transition from this move was the hardest thing I have ever been through and definitely affected me mentally.  My Sophomore year at a new school was rough, but I knew that I had to overcome this massive change. After making the varsity squad as a sophomore, I still was not playing to my full potential.  I felt like my mind was not right, I was having difficulties with academics and it was affecting my play on the field. Our move was definitely an adjustment and one that I am proud to say I was able overcome.  I feel like this move from California has made me a stronger person on and off the baseball field. This has taught me to work for what you want, to be committed and to be able to sacrifice.  I am really fortunate to have a role model in my life who just happens to be my cousin.  My cousin, Joe Mason, played with me 2 years in High School baseball and was considered one of the top players in the state of North Carolina for his class of 2015.  I look up to Joe and all that he has accomplished,  he now plays college baseball and is pursuing his dream!  Seeing Joe sign his letter of intent to play at Wingate, I knew that it was time to follow in his footsteps and make my love for the game my passion!  My goal is to continue my baseball career in college and pursue my love for this game as long as I can.