Austin Neary will begin his freshman season at Western Carolina University this spring after a decorated high school career. The utility infielder was named the Maryland Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year in 2011 as a senior after batting .585 with 6 home runs, 34 RBI and 31 runs scored. Neary struck out only three times in 78 plate appearances last year. The Maryland Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence as well as high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. During his junior and senior year, Neary was also named an All-State third baseman while attending Archbishop Spalding High School. He helped lead the Cavaliers to a 22-5 record and the 2011 MIAA Conference Championship his senior year. During his high school playing career, Neary amassed 49 doubles, 16 triples, 23 home runs, while driving in 112 runs over three seasons. He was also a three-time, first-team All-County selection while posting a .510 batting average over his prep tenure. Neary is a native of Crofton, Maryland.