Springfield senior Riley Schild always knew in his heart that Tusculum University was the place where he wanted to continue his baseball career.
Schild loved the history and prestige behind the school – Tennessee’s first university and the 28th-oldest operating college in the country – along with the impressive facilities that the athletic programs possessed.
His visit to the peaks and valleys of East Tennessee only validated his hope to one day dawn the black and orange uniform.
“Tusculum was really my target school from the very beginning,” Schild said. “I just love the school and their fields are just amazing. Coach (Caleb) Narron was the pitching coach who reached out to me, and he was just a really nice guy. He just gave me the best offer he could and I jumped at the deal.”
Schild achieved his dream on Monday morning, signing with the Pioneers inside the Springfield High School auxiliary gym. The Yellow Jackets’ ace right-hander will join a Tusculum program that competes in the Division II South Atlantic Conference.
The Pioneers went 26-26 overall last spring and 18-12 in conference play under former Tusculum alumni and sixth-year head coach Brandon Steele.
“It’s just great to experience this moment with all these people that have been on this journey with me the whole way,” Schild said Monday. “They have always supported me, and them being here while I signed the paper just added on to the love I have for them.”
Schild pitched his best baseball down the stretch for Springfield last spring under then first-year head coach Ronnie Matthews. He went 2-0 in his final three starts in district play against Kirkwood and Northeast.
Schild struck out 26 batters across 15 1/3 innings and limited opposing offenses to just three earned runs. He tossed a complete game against Kirkwood in his final start on April 30, striking out 11 batters and surrendering just two earned runs.
“What pushed me over those last few starts was just my teammates and coaches,” Schild said. “We didn’t have the best year last season, but I just wanted to keep fighting for those guys. I’m thankful God gave me the power to push through those innings and do as well as I did.”
Schild will anchor a Springfield pitching staff in 2025 that will be led by first-year pitching coach Luke Brown.
Brown, a former right-handed pitcher at Austin Peay and North Carolina A&T, graduated from Springfield in 2018 after a decorated career on The Hill. He was a four-time member of the All-Robertson County baseball team and three-time All-District 10-AAA selection.
“I’ve actually known Luke a long time,” Schild said. “My brother was best friends with his brother and we all kind of grew up together. We already have that connection and it’s just great to have a coach who has pitched at the level that he has. Luke can definitely give me the information to be a better pitcher and overall player.”
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