Legacy's Gaffney makes his college choice

By Steve Smith

ssmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com

BROOMFIELD -- It's a little early to be thinking along these lines. But in holiday parlance, Legacy High School's Kieran Gaffney made his list, checked it twice and found out that Cochise College in Sierra Vista, Arizona, was pretty nice.

He committed to the school. He'll sign his letter later.

"Cochise has been one of the better junior colleges in the country over the last 15 years," Gaffney said. "I have followed them for a long time, and I know that they have a good job placing guys at four-year schools when they are done.

"I also really wanted to go juco because I have to opportunity to play the first two years out of high school."

Gaffney batted .270 for the Lightning last season. Four of his 17 hits were for extra bases, and he drove in 13 runs.

"Yes I took a visit,  and I confirmed my thoughts that this is where I wanted to be," Gaffney said. "I had contact with a few other schools and even more after I came back from the fall classic. But Cochise was always on the top of my list."

Like a lot of high-school athletes, Gaffney found the recruiting process to be a bit more difficult because of coronavirus. For him, involved a lot more videos and phone calls.

Gaffney compiled an on-base percentage of .385 a season ago. His on-base plus slugging percentage was .734. He's not sure what he wants to do after he finishes school.

"Honestly I haven’t thought that far right now," he said. "I am focused on playing baseball for as long as I can. But I plan on majoring in business. I’m nervous, scared and excited. Choosing a college takes some pressure off me, But we have really high expectations for this upcoming season so the pressure will still be there."