Jesse Hoorelbeke Coeur D’Alene Year: Senior Sport: Baseball Positions: Pitcher/Third Base

Although the sport and singing style are different, Jesse Hoorelbeke would like to follow in the footsteps of former NFL football player Mike Reid, a country singer.

Hoorelbeke is a baseball player and his flavor of music is rock. If his dreams come true, he’ll be introduced at future concerts as a former pro baseball player.

He’s quick to admit that living out his dreams may just be that - a matter of dreaming. But nobody can stop him from doing so.

“I want to go as far as I can in baseball; it’s my life,” he said.

One dream that at least is attainable in the immediate future is a state championship, a goal just missed last year.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Hoorelbeke was the starting pitcher in Coeur d’Alene’s 12-6 loss to Lewiston in the state title game.

“We really have our minds set on getting back; I think we’ve picked up where we left off and gone up another level,” he said.

“There’s nothing more painful to get there (to state title game) and lose. It was a very quiet ride home on the bus.”

Hoorelbeke, a pitcher/third baseman, is leading by example. He’s hitting a team-leading .548 (17 of 31) and is 4-0 (2-0 and one save in league). He led CdA in hitting last year (.418).

“I think one of the areas he’s really improved in this year is his mental toughness,” CdA coach Paul Mather said. “He certainly has the physical tools. I think the best example of it is in his pitching. He’s more relaxed and more confident.”

Said Hoorelbeke: “I think I’m playing better, but I still know I’m not playing my best yet. I have a long way to go.”

Hoorelbeke has an offer from College of Southern Idaho and interest has been expressed from the University of Portland, Minnesota and Nevada-Reno.

“He’s got an (NCAA) Division I arm at third base,” Mather said. “And he can hit it. He’ll play somewhere next year.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo