From Husky to Bruin: Reno senior Mack Edwards signs with UCLA baseball

His college decision is out of the way, and Mack Edwards will continue his baseball career at one of the higher-profile college programs next year.

Edwards, a senior at Reno High, made his decision official in a ceremony on Wednesday as he signed with the Bruins. His teammate Darel Dalen also signed to to play baseball, at Cal State East Bay; and Reno swimmer Evan Schott will compete for South Dakota State.

Edwards, (6-foot-5 220 pounds) plays one of baseball's most sought-after positions as a left-handed pitcher. He throws in the high 80s and has a wicked curve ball.

He said playing college baseball, and eventually pro baseball, has been a childhood dream.

"I feel like it's one step in the right direction and I'm excited to celebrate it with my friends and family," Edwards said Wednesday. "This (Reno High) program is hard, it's not for everybody, but you're going to get to where you want to be if you show up, be on time, take care of your business and do what you're supposed to do."

He had 48 strikeouts in league games last season, second to Bishop Manogue's Wade Huntsman with 49. Edwards threw 34 innings in league games and had a 1.30 ERA. he also batted .300 and played first base. He was first-team all-league pitcher.

Reno High baseball coach Pete Savage said Edwards likely will be able to play right away for UCLA. His brother, John Savage, is the coach at UCLA.

"I think he'll do great at UCLA." Savage said. "I think he'll pitch right away. Left-handed pitching is a premium, and especially that kind of pitching with plus velocity and a good breaking ball. All the make-up things are there too, the work ethic and the academics, the leadership. He's just an outstanding young man."

Edwards, who also plays basketball for Reno, said he hopes to develop his changeup over the next high school baseball season.

Two more future Reno alums with big plans for college athletics

Dalen, also a left-handed pitcher, said he plans to work on his command with all three pitches as well as add velocity as he heads off to Cal State East Bay.

Schott swims the individual medley and 200 backstroke. He took fourth in the 200 IM at state last spring and was on Reno's second-place relay team.

He committed to South Dakota State in September.

"I've worked really hard at swimming and being to do that at the next level mean a lot to me," Schott said. "It's a long process and it's really draining, but if you can have fun with it, it makes things a lot better."