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Radnor pitcher Walsh picks Cincinnati Bearcats

Connor Walsh will be more relaxed when he goes through the doors of Radnor High School next week to start his senior year.

Connor Walsh will be more relaxed when he goes through the doors of Radnor High School next week to start his senior year.

The 6-1, 160-pound righthanded pitcher completed an amazing season for the Red Raiders, going 2-3, but don't let the record fool you. He posted a 1.80 ERA, with 71 strikeouts over 33 innings, which included a school-record, 19-strikeout game.

Walsh has decided on his college destination, Cincinnati. Walsh gave an oral commitment on Aug. 27, choosing the Bearcats over Western Carolina and Temple.

"I just kind of thought to myself, and I explained to my parents, that [if] I feel a connection to a school, there was no use in waiting," Walsh said. "I'd like to have a very calm senior year. I don't feel as if I need to look over my shoulder if college scouts are there. But I still have the same pressure on myself, because winning is very important to me. I do feel good in knowing where I'm going."

Walsh also could be drafted by a major league team, but he's not looking at that possibility right now.

"I try to keep that stowed away if it happens, and if it doesn't happen, I do have something great to fall back on," said Walsh, whose fastball was clocked at 91 mph this summer, and who also throws a curveball. "I'm really excited about this chance."

Cincinnati began showing interest in Walsh in July. Bearcats assistant coach Greg Mamula called Walsh and asked if he would like to visit the school. Walsh and his father, Rod, made the drive to Cincinnati Aug. 26, and they toured the campus the next day.

"I loved the place," said Walsh, who carries a 3.0 GPA. "It's a city school, and I like the fact that the school is big and there are other sports to cheer for. I met [head coach Brian] Cleary, and I got a good vibe from him and his staff, especially the pitching coach, J.D. Heilmann. He was just an energetic guy. They knew all about me. They told me they want to add a third pitch and I liked what they had in mind for me."

Last season, Walsh struck out 19 against Haverford High, and also had two 11-strikeout games.

"It is a life change, knowing you're going to school on a sports scholarship, because a year ago, I didn't think I'd be playing baseball for a Division I college," Walsh said. "I had a bad sophomore year, and, it's funny, now I'm committed to a Big East Conference school to play baseball."