By: Jonathan Szczepaniak | Grosse Pointe Times | Published November 15, 2022
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Three Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett School seniors turned their baseball dreams into reality by signing on the dotted line Nov. 10 at University Liggett High School.
Seniors Jarren Purify, Oliver Service and Jack Jones each committed to a Division I university as they further their baseball careers.
“They’re really good student-athletes who represent the school really well,” University Liggett baseball coach Dan Cimini said. “They have an impeccable work ethic, and they do everything the right way.”
Jack Jones, pitcher and first baseman
2022 stats: Injured.
University: Michigan State University.
Achievements: 2021 first team all-state, 2021 Division 3 state champion, pitched a two-hit shutout in the 2021 Division 3 state championship game in a 12-0 win over Traverse City St. Francis.
Jones’ thoughts: “I am excited that I will be furthering my academic and athletic career at Michigan State University. I want to thank my family, friends, coaches and teammates for getting me to this point.”
Coach’s thoughts: “He’s slated to step on the hill and be our ace. We’re going to lean on him a lot next year and get him ready for the next level.”
Jarren Purify, shortstop
2022 stats: .420 average, 33 hits, 16 stolen bases, 33 runs.
University: University of Clemson.
Achievements: Two-time first team all-state (2021 and 2022), 2022 Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Dream Team, 2021 Division 3 state champion.
Purify’s thoughts: “I am very excited to further my academic and baseball career at Clemson.”
Coach’s thoughts: “He’s extremely athletic; he’s very smart. What he does is he takes a lot of hits up the middle, and that will be huge at the next level.”
Oliver Service, catcher and outfielder
2022 stats: .375 average, 30 hits, 21 RBIs.
University: University of Texas.
Achievements: 2022 second team all-state at catcher, 2021 Division 3 state champion.
Service’s thoughts: “It has been my dream to play Division I baseball ever since I put on cleats and grabbed a glove. My dreams are coming true, so I’m super excited.”
Coach’s thoughts: “He made the transition to catcher really well, and it paid off for us really well, too. He just has so much talent; he has a wealth of talent.”