Baseball Adds Eli Lingos To 2014 Recruiting Class

TEMPE, Ariz. – Head Coach Tracy Smith has signed left-handed pitcher/ Eli Lingos to play baseball at Arizona State University starting in the 2014-15 academic year.

Lingos, a two-way left-handed player from Great Oak High School in Temecula, Calif., was a 2014 California Region Honorable Mention. He hit a combined .349 in 58 games, and also posted a 2.05 ERA with five saves and a .990 fielding percentage over his junior and senior seasons in high school.

“Eli is a guy we have known about for a long time and we signed him as a pitcher because he does a good job of changing speeds on all pitches,” coach Smith said. “However, his development as a hitter last spring also caught our attention. He brings a tremendous work ethic to his game and will be fun to work with over the next few years.”

Lingos joins infielder Ryan Lillard as the second high schooler to sign with ASU this summer and bolsters the Devils’ 2014 signing class, which was ranked eighth best in the nation by Perfect Game USA in December 2013.

“Eli is from Southern California, and is someone who I have worked with and have seen develop both on the mound and at the plate since his freshmen year in high school,” pitching coach Brandon Higelin said. “Eli features a four-pitch arsenal, and will come and compete for innings as a freshman. I have witnessed Eli’s work ethic transform him into one of the top left-handed arms in the 2014 class, and I am thrilled we were able to add a player of his talent and character in our 2014 class.”