Two former Angelo State baseball pitchers, Dax Dathe and Ryan Free, are headed for Division I programs after recent changes in NCAA rules.
The extra year of eligibility in 2026 seemingly stemmed from the NCAA decision in December to give an extra year to athletes who started their careers at non-NCAA programs and finished their eligibility during the 2024-25 school year.
Dathe announced on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, on Monday night that he would spend his extra year of eligibility with the reigning NCAA champions, LSU, while Free announced on X on Tuesday he would spend his extra year at Texas Tech.
In 2025, Dathe established himself as one of the top arms in Division II, finishing the season with 98 strikeouts in 72⅓ innings pitched and a 9-1 record. He held a team-low 2.99 ERA and .206 opponent batting average among qualified pitchers.
Free returns to Texas Tech after one year with the Rams, finishing the season with a 3.44 ERA, 5-1 record and 50 strikeouts in 49⅔ innings pitched.
Paul Witwer covers high school sports and Angelo State University sports for The San Angelo Standard-Times. Reach him at sports@gosanangelo.com. Follow him on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @Paul_Witwer.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Former Angelo State baseball pitchers Dax Dathe, Ryan Free announce commitments to NCAA DI programs
Reporting by Paul Witwer, San Angelo Standard-Times / San Angelo Standard-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
