Flint signs letter of intent to play college baseball in Kansas

SANDPOINT — Last year Sandpoint junior Trey Flint went 4-4, with a home run and three RBIs in his first game, and added another four hits with a home run and six RBIs in the final doubleheader, and pretty much stung any fastball in-between from gap to gap with power.

The talented 6-foot-4, 230 pound first basemen caught the attention of numerous colleges with his play, and this week the senior signed a letter of intent to play college baseball next season at McPherson College, an NAIA school in Kansas.

Flint has been mashing baseballs in Sandpoint from Little League up through high school, and getting to play the game he loves in college means a ton.

“My dream’s come true,” he said. “I’ve been dreaming about it since I was little, to have it become a reality is very exciting.”

Flint, who was co-MVP of the Inland Empire League last year and figures to be in the running to own the award outright this season, plans to study business at McPherson, where he received substantial athletic and academic scholarships.

Among the other schools showing heavy interest were Central Washington, George Fox, University of Puget Sound and Pacific.

“I visited six schools, but McPherson felt like the best all around fit,” said Flint, one of the top students in his class. “I really like the coaches and players, and it felt like the right fit academically and athletically.”

Flint was also named to the All-IEL football team as a tackle last fall, and possesses the size, bat speed and power to all fields that draws the attention of college coaches.

McPherson head baseball coach Bryan Moses knew the first time he saw Flint that the team wanted him, saying he possesses everything you look for in a college player.

“He’s a great person with tremendous character and he carries the necessary tools to make a significant impact on the field. Trey is a student athlete with leadership skills and we feel strongly that he will succeed in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and in the classroom,” said Moses. “When he arrived on campus for his visit it was clear that we were going to make a strong run at him. We feel very fortunate to have a solid working relationship with an up an coming baseball program at Sandpoint High School.”

Chase Tigert, the Bulldogs head baseball coach who also knows Moses, said he’s really proud of Flint and the effort and growth he’s seen over the past year.

“He deserves this opportunity. He has all the skills and ability and comes from a great family. I’m excited for him to experience this,” said Tigert, a former college baseball pitcher who feels Trey will excel at the next level. “Trey has an immense amount of potential, and just starting to tap into it. I really think the sky’s the limit for him. He approaches every at-bat with complete confidence. When he steps to the plate, he believes he’s going to get a hit, and it’s contagious.”

Flint will anchor the Bulldogs’ lineup again this spring, punishing the pitchers courageous enough to challenge him in the strike zone and leading one of the stronger SHS teams in years.

From there it’s off to the college game, and if all goes well, perhaps even some baseball after that.

“The end goal is to make it to Major League Baseball one day. For now, just perform at the college level and make it as far as I can,” said Flint, who was asked what he’s looking forward to most in the college game. “High level of competition, and to meet new people and make new connections.”