Mackey signs with USC Upstate: Parkersburg South pitcher goes D-I

PARKERSBURG — Cayden Mackey is relieved to finally have the recruiting process behind him.

On Tuesday, the Parkersburg South senior for first-year head coach Bryan Youngblood had a celebration ceremony at the school to announce his commitment to the University of South Carolina Upstate to pitch for the Division I Spartans, who play in the Big South Conference.

Although the official National Letter of Intent signing period begins today, Mackey had to move up his ceremony because his sister Payten is playing in the state volleyball tournament this morning.

"I'm excited to make it official. Being committed is cool, but it's awesome to just be done with it," admitted the 6-foot-4, 175-pound right-hander, who can hit 90-plus and has a repertoire that includes a two-seam and four-seam fastball, a slider, a change and a curveball. "You're signed. You are their property now.

"We went down there two weekends ago and watched the alumni game and stayed a couple nights, and went and played some Topgolf. My mom got to see the campus for the first time. It was 60 when we left and it was 90 when we got down there. We had to watch the game in the shade."

The offer by the Spartans as well as the climate were two of the reasons Mackey wanted to play there.

"I like the weather," admitted Mackey, who said he was going to carpool with some of his friends to go watch his sister and the Patriots try to upset top-seeded Morgantown.

"They say it like barely snows down there and if it snows, it's only a dusting. That's what I like. I don't like snow."

The Patriot was spotted by the USC Upstate coaching staff this summer in Atlanta during the Perfect Game 17U WWBA tournament.

"I'm going down to Bolivia, N.C., to play with the Brunswick Surfin' Turfs," Mackey said of the plan following his final year for the Patriots. "I'll be playing with them for six weeks and be able to come home for six weeks before I have to leave for South Carolina Upstate. That's when we plan on going on vacations and stuff like that."

Mackey said his college coach signed him up for the collegiate wood bat baseball team that competes in the Old North State league.

"Hopefully, he helps us out in a lot of starts this year, maybe some spot relief," coach Youngblood said. "Hopefully, he swings the bat well this year as well. Just by judging from last year and what he did I see him holding down the third or fourth spot in the lineup.

"Something along those lines. He definitely has a live arm. He can throw it by you and he can also change it up a little bit and throw a little wrinkle on it. I'm really excited to see what we can do this year. Not only for himself, but to lead the team because we need those leaders. We definitely need those leaders."

Surrounded by friends and family during his ceremony, one person who Mackey was especially excited to see was former summer teammate Bryant Yoak. The Calhoun County senior standout has committed to pitch at West Virginia University.

"I played with him until about two years ago," Mackey said of the Red Devil. "I basically grew up every summer with him. He has always been bigger, but we're pretty close to the same size.

"It felt awesome. I haven't seen him in awhile. It was just awesome to see him here. I was glad when I texted him he said he'd be here with his family."

Mackey isn't expected to do anything but pitch in college, but coach Youngblood said he could see him getting time at first base, the hot corner and some outfield this spring.

"Two-way is awesome. I'm excited for that," the Patriot said of his final prep season. "I'll play whatever he wants me to play.

"I think the PO-life (pitcher only at college) is going to be pretty nice because I can mainly focus on pitching. I want to thank my parents for helping me out with this journey. It wouldn't have been possible without them."