For former Christian County High School baseball star Elijah Underhill, 2025 is in the past and his eyes are on the future.
The 2023 Kentucky Mr. Baseball is back in town this summer after a brief stint in a West Virginia summer league and is providing lessons for youngsters while working on his own game.
Admittedly, Underhill said he went through a “sophomore jinx” this season at Eastern Kentucky University. He went 1-9 in 12 starts on the hill and had a 12.38 ERA. This came after a freshman season that saw him go 2-3 with 20 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings.
The former CCHS star said it was a tough year also for the Colonels, who suffered through an 11-44 season.
Following the season, Eastern decided not to bring back coach Walt Jones and hired Jan Wesiberg to take over the program. Underhill decided it was time for a fresh start and entered the transfer portal, ultimately deciding on Austin Peay.
Underhill said he only wants to pitch for the Governors next season and would prefer not to hit.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound right-hander said he got his start in baseball at Ruff Park at age 7 and began developing a love for the game after playing for his dad and with his stepbrother.
But it was his sophomore year at Christian County that he realized he could have a future in the game.
Following his senior year when he hit .430 with eight home runs and struck out 115 batters on the mound while earning Mr. Baseball, Underhill chose Eastern Kentucky.
While he struggled during the 2025 regular season at Eastern, he had a good performance in the prospect league where he played this summer in West Virginia. He said several Major League Baseball teams contacted him last week before the draft.
However, he said he believes he has more to show scouts and wants to play one year with the Governors before he hopefully reaches his dreams of being drafted in 2026.
Underhill, who has topped out at 99 mph on his fastball, also throws a change-up and slider. He said the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates are among the 11 teams who have talked with him since the end of the 2025 season.
Photo by Joe Wilson