photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Junior Owen Lester rounds third base and makes it home to score for Free State during their game against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

Owen Lester has spent the summer playing baseball across multiple states with his club team, competing in tournaments that get exposure to college programs.

After a tournament in Atlanta, Lester and the coaching staff at East Carolina University got in touch, and within a few weeks, Lester was in Greenville, N.C. on a visit.

“I liked it all,” Lester said of the visit. “Talking to their coaches, their campus, their facilities, everything there was just beautiful and amazing. I talked to my parents and my family about it all, and I made the decision pretty quick, maybe a week or two later.”

Lester committed to the Pirates, fulfilling a longtime dream of playing Division I baseball.

“All the weight is off my chest and everything like that,” Lester said. “The recruiting process has been pretty stressful, and now it’s all over with, so I’m pretty happy about that. Everyone’s goal as sports players (is) to play DI, and I’m just lucky to be be in that dream now.”

Lester joins a lengthy and growing list of Firebirds who have left the baseball team to play Division I baseball. It’s a proud legacy to be a part of, and he credits the program that has been built at Free State.

“It’s amazing,” Lester said. “I can continue it on. Most of that success all comes from coach (Mike) Hill. He’s an amazing coach. He coaches you so hard, and you’re always going to be improving when you’re working with him.”

When Lester started his recruitment process, there were a few things he wanted out of a program. He wanted to be somewhere he could contribute right away and develop during his time.

East Carolina provides all that while competing at the highest levels. The Pirates are one of the best programs in the American Athletic Conference and have made it to the NCAA baseball tournament every year since 2018, including hosting regionals from 2019-22 and again in 2024.

When Lester went out for his visit, he loved everything about the school, even the things beyond baseball. He has a lot of family on the east coast, including his brother.

“I’ve been out there, and it’s very beautiful,” Lester said. “My brother goes to school in Virginia, so it’s going to be cool to be so close.”

There’s a lot for Lester to like about the Pirates, and there’s a lot for the team to like about Lester as a prospect. He keeps his grades up, holds down the corner of the infield at third base and can hit the ball well.

“They liked my left-handed hitting, as well as a lot of other schools,” Lester said. “Also I’m tall and can build into my frame.”

Adding to his frame is one of a few things that Lester is focused on improving in his final season with Free State. Building his muscle to help him hit and throw harder are important both help Lester lead the Firebirds this season and be ready to contribute as a freshman at East Carolina.

Lester said it’s surprising realizing that his Free State career is almost over, especially now that he has picked out his college. Going out on top like his senior teammates did two years ago is something he’s set his eyes on.

“Everyone says high school goes by pretty quick, and you never really believe them until senior year,” Lester said. “We’re just going to go fight until the end. We’re just going to try and do great things like we have, and I think we’re gonna go pretty far again.”