Heritage seniors Garcia, Walther accept college scholarships

Jacob Garcia (left) and Scott Walther signed national letters of intent to accept college scholarships Monday. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Baseball standout Jacob Garcia and football standout Scott Walther signed national letters of intent to accept college athletic scholarships in a ceremony held at Heritage High School Tuesday.

Garcia, who also excelled as a lineman for the Patriots' football team, finished his high school athletic career by posting a 6-3 record and 1.02 ERA as a pitcher for the baseball team. He helped lead the team to the CIF quarterfinals. His choice for college was to accept a scholarship with Colorado State Pueblo's baseball program.

In 68.1 innings this season, Garcia struck out 83 batters and walked just 33. He was one of the leaders of a team that went 18-9 this spring.

"When I visited the college, I really liked what the school had to offer," Garcia said. "They have a good kinesiology program, which is what I want to major in. I really liked the baseball program as well."

Walther, a 6-foot-5, 325-pound lineman, teamed with Garcia to build the foundation for a football team that finished with an 11-1 record, losing in the second round of the CIF playoffs. He chose to accept a scholarship to the University of Jamestown in North Dakota.

"I'm ready to go to an area other than California; I've lived here all my life," said Walther. "I just love the scheme they run over there -- power run, the same scheme I played for four years here. I love the area and the coaches were awesome to talk to."

Walther said he will study criminal justice with plans to go into higher level criminal investigation as a career.

Head football coach Kraig Broach had high praise Tuesday for both players.

"His improvement," Broach replied when asked what impressed him most about Walther. "When he came in as a freshman he was a big kid, obviously, but he wasn't physically developed. It was through hard work and dedication that he became a great football player. That was really rewarding, to see a kid who works that hard to ultimately become a very successful high school lineman."

Broach said he saw similar traits in Garcia.

"I was just impressed with his work ethic," he said about Garcia. "As a junior, he didn't have much of an opportunity because there was a senior in front of him. But that didn't stop him. He worked his tail off and made the most of his senior year. I couldn't be more proud of a kid who was just dedicated to the process and put himself in position to have a great senior year."