KENNEWICK -- Southridge three-sport star Matt Mendenhall made a verbal commitment to play baseball at Washington State University, ending speculation that he might join his brother, Andrew, a baseball player at the University of Oregon.

Matt, an all-CBBN performer in football, basketball and baseball, weighed his options carefully before deciding on the Pullman school.

"It's a lot closer than other schools, and I've got a lot of friends there," said Matt, who was told he would play third base under Cougars coach Donnie Marbut. "Basically, I'm going up there to hit the ball."