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Taylorsville Journal

Two Taylorsville High Seniors Sign with UVU Baseball

Feb 09, 2016 08:46AM ● By Bryan Scott

Photo courtesy of Howard Manning

By Jessica Thompson | [email protected]

Taylorsville - Luke Jacketta and Cole Fivecoat have a lot in common. They both started playing baseball at the age of six, currently play on Taylorsville High School’s baseball team and now they both signed to play Division one college baseball at Utah Valley University. 

“They are both very talented. To play Division one baseball, you must be physically gifted and they both are. Beyond that, both of them have been working since they were small kids with one goal, to play college baseball,” coach Jake Brown said.

Jacketta can remember playing baseball with his dad’s and brothers when he was just a little 6-year-old. He always knew he wanted to play baseball in college, but didn’t think it was going to happen for him. 

“When I heard the news about UVU I didn’t think it was real. I didn’t think I was good enough to play at a Division one school. I am happy and excited for this opportunity,” Jacketta said.

There are many reasons why Jacketta loves to play the game of baseball, but his favorite is being able to get lost in the game. 

“When I am playing baseball I don’t worry about what is happening in real life. I am just playing with all my friends and doing my own thing. I like that it offers me an escape from reality,” Jacketta said. 

Fivecoat is very grateful for his chance to keep playing the game he loves while gaining an education. 

“I have a passion for baseball and I love being able to compete against some of the best in the world. There is nothing better to do than play baseball and try to get an education along with it. It is an honor to be one of the select few to play baseball in college,” Fivecoat said.

The recruiting process for UVU baseball ended up being a long and nervous journey for Fivecoat, but he said it was all worth it. 

“I couldn’t be happier with my decision to play college baseball. I love UVU and I am very excited to be a part of their team,” Fivecoat said.  

Loving the game of baseball isn’t the only thing these two have in common. They both know success takes hard work. 

“If you want to accomplish your dreams you have to keep going. Keep grinding it out and keep working harder than everybody else. Everybody wants the same goal so try to out work them,” Fivecoat said.   

Brown is very proud of how hard both of these players have worked alongside their teammates. 

“To watch a kid work so hard for so long and fight through the anxiety of not knowing whether or not they are good enough to take their game to the next level, and then be present for the moment that they realize they have done it is a special thing. It inspires me as a coach and undoubtedly inspires younger players to attempt to follow in their footsteps,” Brown said.

Jacketta and Fivecoat are both grateful for all those who have helped them accomplish their dreams. 

“I would like to thank my family and all my coaches along the way. I couldn’t be more grateful for everything they have done for me,” Fivecoat said.  

Jacketta also knows his family is better supporter of accomplishing his dream of playing college baseball. 

“I would like to thank my dad for all he has done for me,” Jacketta said.  

Brown is very proud of these two seniors and the great example they are setting to others that they can control their own destiny. 

“I would encourage young players to approach every day as if it’s the day they earn their college scholarship. We are lucky at Taylorsville to have many kids that get the opportunity to play in college, but the excitement of adding more players to those ranks never gets old,” he said.  


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