R.V.'s Miller headed to Kentucky

River Valley High graduate Cody Miller is headed back east to continue his baseball career after receiving a full-ride scholarship to play for St. Catharine College, an NAIA school in Kentucky.

Miller was three-year starter at catcher for River Valley, where he graduated in 2009. He was named All-Tri-County Conference for the Falcons, was an A-D All-Area first-team pick at catcher and was later drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 47th round of that year's amateur draft.

He played the last two seasons at Solano College, where saw he more time in the outfield than at catcher.

However, Solano coach Scott Stover has many contacts, and when Miller got word that St. Catharine needed someone to work behind the plate this year, he jumped at the opportunity to play at a four-year university.

"They called the day after Christmas and told me they needed a catcher out there," Miller said. "Money was an issue for me, but coach (Terry) Davis said they would pay for everything. I went home and talked to my parents and made the decision."

St. Catharine is a small Roman Catholic liberal arts school located near Springfield, Ky. It has a current enrollment of around 950 students.

Miller will have little time to acclimate to his new settings. He flied out to Kentucky Saturday and will begin school and practices on Monday.

"It was kinda at the last minute, but sometimes that's how stuff goes," Miller said. "I'm happy I'll have a chance to play."