(Editor's note: DCC Athletics release)
GLENDIVE - Dawson Community College baseball player Keenan O'Brien has signed his NAIA National Letter of Intent with Corban University in Salem, Oregon.
"I am very excited for the opportunity to move on and continue my baseball career at Corban University in Oregon," said O'Brien. "I would like to thank all of the teachers and instructors at Dawson. They have helped to prepare me for all of the challenges that lie ahead. While I am ready and excited for the new adventures that are to come, I will always be grateful for my teammates, coaches, and friends for all the memories that they have given me."
O'Brien is from Broomfield, Colorado and attended Legacy High School. His high school stats included a batting average of .328, 12 RBI's, 20 hits, along with a defensive average of .600 with runners caught stealing. He made First Team All-Conference as a senior.
As a freshman, O'Brien switched from catching to playing first base. He had a batting average of .252, with two home runs, 15 RBI's, and 12 stolen bases. The following year, he wanted a chance to become the starting catcher for the 2019-2020 season. He managed to earn the starting spot, but the 2020 season was cut short. In the shortened season, O'Brien's sophomore statistics included a batting average of .382, with 10 RBI's, one stolen base, and he caught four opponents stealing.
"Keenan played two seasons at DCC and earned the title of captain his sophomore year," said Bucs coach Phil McClure. "He is a well-rounded catcher with the ability to step into whatever role a coach needs him in. He was clutch for the Bucs on many occasions. Keenan is one of the hardest working catchers I have ever coached. He is very coachable and provides great leadership qualities. He will step right into a leadership role at Corban as he helps them move towards a conference championship."
Corban is a small, private Christian university that competes in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. This past season, under head coach Derek Legg, they had an 8-15 overall record before the cancellation of all spring sports nationwide. Last season, the Warriors were 19-31-1. In his first year at the helm in 2017, Coach Legg completely turned around the program, leading the program to a 28-26 overall record, third-place finish in conference, and the Warriors finished just one game shy of booking their ticket to the NAIA National Tournament.
