Russ Paxton signs on with Ivy Tech baseball during a recent signing ceremony at Tippecanoe Valley. (Photos by James Costello)

AKRON — Russ Paxton got an opportunity to extend an old connection to the collegiate level, while fellow Tippecanoe Valley senior Ama Baca signed on for the possibility of playing opposite a former teammate as the duo put pen to paper in a dual signing ceremony in Akron recently.

RUSS PAXTON, IVY TECH BASEBALL

A good arm has given Russ Paxton the ability to play an unusual combination of both pitcher and catcher for Tippecanoe Valley. Although he signed on as a pitcher with Ivy Tech, his first connection to the junior college was made as a catcher via Titans assistant coach Connor Wilkins, who was present for Paxton’s signing.

“I was 14, I was a catcher, and we found him through my other coach that was my main coach at the time,” explained Paxton. “He helped me with catching workouts, and all of that time together obviously built a bond. It means a lot that he could come.”

The Titans are interested in Paxton’s potential as a reliever, and Wilkins cited his mechanic and composure as the reasons they recruited the Valley pitcher, who held an ERA in the twos over his junior season.

“We liked his arm angle — he’s a 10 o’clock arm slot guy. He’d be very useful out of the bullpen. He’s a guy that can eat innings,” Wilkins said. “He’s got a really good slider, good change up and a calm demeanor about him that’s just been forged by playing competitive travel ball over the last couple years.”

Paxton is also valuable at the plate, with a .345 batting average last year and has generally taken on a leadership role with the Vikings.

“Russ is a very good leader for us. We’ve been having some workouts and he’s been taking over stretching and getting the players ready for workouts and stuff like that,” said Valley baseball coach Jarred Littlejohn, who recently moved up from JV head coach to head of the program. “Last year, going to the varsity games and seeing him on the mound and how much of a leader he was for the team, he’s a great young man and a great baseball player as well.”

For Paxton, his decision to sign with the Titans wasn’t strictly a matter of reconnecting with Wilkins. He wants to study construction and get his journeyman’s card to become an electrician, and Ivy Tech offered a good all-around fit.

“It feels good to get my future on course and get going towards the career I want to be in. And I get to play a sport I love, so that’s always a good feeling to be able to do both at the same time,” he said.

“It’s just the right fit. I come from a small school. It’s a small school. It’s not far from home, and I don’t want to be far from home. And I like Coach (Lance) Hershberger, the head coach. He’s my type of guy.”

AMY BACA, GOSHEN VOLLEYBALL

With a variety of on-court skills, Amy Baca has led Lady Vikings volleyball with her play. But her enthusiasm for the sport was also a big asset to her team over last season’s 21-11 finish.

“Amy is one of the most contagious personalities. She’s so energetic and positive all the time and such a hard worker,” explained former Valley head coach Mallory Eaton. “I feel like it’s hard to find kids that have all those things on top of being talented athletically. She’s the type of kid that can pump anybody up, bring a smile to your face.”

Boasting 235 kills over her senior season with a 35.6 kill percentage and .171 hitting percentage, Baca also racked up 39 blocks at the net. Her variety of skills and pure athleticism is what attracted first-year Goshen College head coach Kourtney Crawford to the two-time All-TRC Honorable Mention player.

“Honestly, it was her athleticism. Watching her skills tape, I couldn’t stop watching,” recalled Crawford. “She hit multiple positions, and she’s just a natural, raw athlete.”

It turns out, Baca had her sights set on Goshen for quite some time.

“I just thought it would be a perfect fit. I loved the environment and it looked like it had a good thing to offer for me. So I feel like Goshen was always a priority,” she said.

Baca’s represents the third college signing for Valley volleyball this winter. While a new addition to the family has forced Eaton to step away from the helm of the program, she’s happy with where she’s leaving it.

“It was sad for me to walk away, but how cool to have three of your four seniors play collegiately and to have that love for volleyball and have the ability,” said Eaton. “I think it says our program is in a good spot, and I hope whoever comes in next really takes care of it and continues that legacy.”

One of those seniors advancing to the collegiate level is Mackenzie Woodcox, who signed on with Grace College in January. Goshen and Grace both compete in the Crossroads League, meaning Baca and Woodcox may very well have the chance to play together again at the next level, albeit on opposite sides of the net.

“I feel like we are both very competitive and love volleyball, so I feel like it would be a very good outcome, no matter win or lose. I feel like it’d be a good thing to see her again and battle it out,” said Baca.

Amy Baca signed on with Goshen volleyball, making her the third Valley volleyball senior to move on to play at the collegiate level.