Recently graduated Iola Mustangs pitcher Grady Dougherty may sport new team colors next season, but he won’t be far away after signing to play for Neosho Community College Wednesday.
Dougherty, who KSHSAA officials recently named to the All-State first team as a pitcher, will trade in Iola blue and gold for Neosho black and orange.
He plans to study for an associate’s degree in science while competing for Neosho next season.
“It’s really nice. My support group is all within 30 minutes,” Dougherty said. “The original plan was to go play in Pittsburg, but that’s an hour away. I’m still able to come home if I need to. I could drive home every night for dinner if I want to.”
Dougherty earned his all-state senior season with a 6-0 record with 75 strikeouts and allowing just 24 walks in 62 innings on the mound and, with a 1.22 ERA. In the batter’s box he boasted a .324 batting average on 24 hits, 14 doubles, three home runs and 32 RBIs. Although receiving an offer from Allen Community College, Dougherty said he chose Neosho because the Panthers would give him an opportunity to pitch, hit and take the field when not pitching. For Iola coach Levi Ashmore, after watching Dougherty develop his myriad of skills over the years he coached him, he believes Dougherty can excel in college baseball in the right atmosphere.
“We hate to see him go, and it’s hard replace a guy like him,” Ashmore said. “We won’t be able to do it with one person. He’s a great kid. We like him because he’s such a great person, and that is going to take him a long way.”
Another aspect Ashmore loves about Dougherty’s next stop is he can continue to be a part of the Iola program as a mentor to high school players and youth players.
“It’s been really fun to watch what he’s done for the last three years in a Mustang Uniform,” Ashmore said. “It will be nice to have him 25 minutes away, keep in touch and watch him play.”
As for Dougherty’s next step before competing in college, he plans to play out the rest of the season with the American Legion 19U Indians and prepare himself for the speed of college-level baseball. After competing in the recent Kansas all-star game in Wichita, he found facing that level of talent an eye-opening experience.
“I was there with the best players in Kansas,” Dougherty said. “It showed I should be there and playing at the college level. It’s going to be a big step when I have to move and practice with the big guys.”
