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Jensen parlayed his high school success into the opportunity to play collegiately, signing on Thursday to play for Appalachian State University.

As a junior, Jensen went 7-2 on the mound with two shutouts and a 1.61 ERA across 56 2/3 innings. He struck out a team-high 106 batters while walking 43, allowing 22 hits, including no doubles or triples and three home runs. At the plate, Jensen hit a team-best .564 with 26 RBIs, eight home runs, a triple, nine doubles and 35 runs scored.

Jensen pitched 56 1/3 innings as a sophomore, going 9-1 with a 1.12 ERA and four shutouts. He led the Wildcats with 95 strikeouts, walking 39 and allowing 25 hits with three home runs, no doubles and no triples. Jensen was third on the team with a .482 batting average, tallying 20 RBIs, two home runs, three triples, nine doubles and 39 runs scored.

His freshman season, Jensen posted a team-best 1.23 ERA with an 8-2 record and three shutouts across 62 2/3 innings. He led the way for DHS with 92 strikeouts, walking 23 and allowing 48 hits, including none of the extra-base variety. He hit .395 with 18 RBIs, seven doubles, a home run and 18 runs scored.

“Everything is natural to Tate,� said DHS coach Kenny Stephens. “Tate has so much God-given talent. He works hard, but his God-given talent is off the charts. He was blessed to be a left-handed, 6-2, super-athletic kid, so that’s going to translate to the college game really, really well. On his fastball, he’s been up to 91 or 92 (mph).�

Jensen will look to keep the momentum going in nearby Boone as he joins the Mountaineers next year.

“The coaching staff up there, the things that they value about being more of a good person instead of a good player is something I definitely agree with,� Jensen said. “I really liked his thought process and what he believed in.

“They have a really nice pitching lab up there that surely will help my development. I like the atmosphere and the people and all the support that I’ll get from friends and family. I’m just excited to get up there.�

Stephens thinks the school will suit Jensen just fine.

“I think App is going to be a great fit for him,� Stephens said. “We looked at Virginia Tech and Coastal Carolina and, during the season, we had the big guys of N.C. State and Carolina. All of those guys were checking him out, but I think App is a good spot for Tate. App State’s player development is as good as about anybody in the country with the new pitching lab they’ve got. The money they’re putting back into the program is impressive.

“App State is still a big school, but it’s not so big that he becomes just a number. I think it’s a great fit for them to get Tate. I think it’s a steal for them to get Tate. It’s a good program, but I think he’s going to shock a lot of people moving forward.�

Draughn went 19-5, winning the Western Highlands 1A/2A Conference and advancing to the third round of the NCHSAA 1A state playoffs last season. That followed a 22-5 WHC-winning campaign and 1A West Regional semifinals appearance in 2023. DHS went 20-4 and won the WHC in 2022, reaching the second round.

Jensen is excited for one more crack at it with the Wildcats.

“I can’t wait,� Jensen said. “I’m excited for my senior year. It should be the best one yet. I think we have a pretty good shot at making it to states. I’d like to at least make it, if not win it. I’m just excited for another great time and great season spent with some good people.�

Jensen said he is thankful for the wealth of support he has received during his baseball career up to this point.

“I just want to thank my parents for taking me all over the country playing games,� said Jensen, who plans to major in exercise science and nutrition at Appalachian State. “My friends, my teammates and I want to thank God for everything he’s done for me.�