RICHMOND, Ky. -- Nick Lively, righthanded pitcher/infielder for coach Mark Daniels' Virginia High School team, has signed a national letter-of-intent with the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team.

Lively, 5-8, 160, was Southwest Virginia Player of the Year and District Player of the Year in 1997. He was also a two-time all-state, three-time all-region and four-time all-district selection at Virginia High.

"Nick comes from a quality high school program and has the ability and attitude we look for in a player, " said EKU head baseball coach Jim Ward. "He is a two-position player that could get some opportunities at the plate, but he is definitely projected as a pitcher who can contribute as a freshman."

Lively has compiled an 8-2 record this season with a 1.69 earned run average and has accomplished something very rare in pitching annals, having pitched back-to-back no hitters this season. In his high school career, Lively has a 29-7 pitching record.

He has also recorded 78 strikeouts in 46 and one-third innings of work this season, averaging 11.78 per seven innings pitched. At the plate, Lively is batting .411 with four home runs and 22 RBI's this year.

He is the son of David and Jerri Lively of Bristol, VA.

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