Baseball: Wood signs letter of intent to continue career at Oral Roberts Univ.

Long Beach City College sophomore pitcher Nick Wood (St. John Bosco HS) has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma next year.

Today marked the first day of the NCAA's early signing period. Wood, along with his parents, Vikings' head coach Casey Crook, and his teammates attended a signing ceremony at the LBCC Hall of Champions Gym on Wednesday.

Wood said he had trips to other universities and was also heavily recruited by nearby UC Irvine.

"I felt the most comfortable with that program," said Wood on his decision to select Oral Roberts. "I really enjoyed the campus, the atmosphere, and was impressed by the coaching staff and the way the program was ran."

As a freshman last season for the Vikings, Wood pitched in 12 games and started seven. He compiled a 4-5 overall record despite an impressive 2.40 earned run average. Wood, a 6-3, 215-pound right-hander, struck out 39 batters and walked 17 over 48.2 innings.

He pitched well towards the end of the season, allowing just three earned runs over his final 18.1 innings.

Crooks expects Wood to be a major contributor to the Vikings and the starting rotation this coming 2014 spring season.

"I'm looking forward to having a great season this spring and hopefully getting this program back to the state championship season of 2006," said Wood.

Oral Roberts is a NCAA Division I institution and is a member of the Southland Conference. Last year, Oral Roberts closed the 2013 season with a 25-32 overall record and was fourth in the Southland Conference at 16-11. ORU is led by second-year head coach Ryan Folmar.