GALION — Hunter Miniard is a baseball guy. He played and excelled in other sports, but baseball is his first love.

The good news for the Galion senior is that his baseball career will not end when the Tigers’ season concludes soon.

Miniard signed his letter of intent Friday to continue playing baseball at Mount Vernon Nazarene University starting in the fall.

Miniard had three suitors, but MVNU won out over Bluffton and Terra State.

“I was really all in on (Bluffton and Terra State),” Miniard said. “Once I visited (MVNU), it just felt like home, a place I can grow in my faith, play baseball, continue in that career, and get an education.”

According to Galion baseball coach Kenny Fagan, Miniard has been an integral part of Tigers’ athletics for the past several seasons.

“He has been. He’s put in a lot of work the las few years,” Fagan said. “We’re super proud he found a place that enjoys him, and he enjoyed it there. He’s definitely one of the catalysts of our baseball program.

“He plays football, was a wrestler earlier in his career. I know he was a pretty big part of the football team and he’s a big part of us, too.”

Fagan noted that Miniard was exclusively a catcher for Galion and that was something MVNU is looking for with the departure of their top two catchers to graduation this year.

“He’s been behind the plate for two years,” Fagan said. “He’s done a heck of a job. He knows he’s got a little bit more work to do going to the next level, but he des a really good job for us.”

“They’re really shallow there (catcher),” Miniard said. “I’m looking to go in, work hard, and hopefully start a few games my freshman year. If not, I’ll be OK with working hard and playing later.”

Mount Vernon Nazarene is an NAIA affiliate. The Cougars compete in the Crossroads league, consisting mostly of teams from Indiana, with MNVU being the only Ohio school and there is one member school in Michigan.

This year, MVNU finished with a 23-26 record, 18-18 in the Crossroads League.

Miniard plans to major in Exercise Science and become an athletic trainer after graduation.

“Baseball is primary,” Miniard said. “I enjoyed playing football, but baseball has always been my first love and I wanted to continue that.”

“It brings excitement to the program,” Fagan said. “When you’ve got guys that are working that hard, it always works out.”