Clovis High's Seefeld headed for Arizona

Warm weather and a coach with a reputation for building championship-caliber programs convinced Clovis senior Jason Seefeld he wanted to play college baseball at the University of Arizona.

Seefeld, the District 4-5A player of the year last spring, verbally committed Monday to play for the Wildcats after visiting the Tucson campus over the weekend.

The early signing period for Division I baseball starts Nov. 12. Verbal commitments are non-binding.

Seefeld said he was impressed with second-year coach Andy Lopez, who won a national championship at Pepperdine and turned the University of Florida into a top-25 program.

Arizona was 35-23 last season.

“I was really impressed with the coaching staff,” said Seefeld, a shortstop who doubles as a closer. He hit .458 with a school-record eight home runs and 27 RBI last season. “Coach Lopez has been able to build winning programs wherever he’s at. That was a big factor in deciding to go there.”

Then there’s the weather.

“I can play baseball year-round out there,” Seefeld said, sporting a grin.

A starter at Clovis since he was a freshman, Seefeld said he was also considering Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.