WILTON, Iowa - Max Barrett and Drew Snyder were two of the three non-seniors in the Wilton baseball team's starting lineup last season.

Before the team captains lead a youth movement this summer with the Beavers, they solidified their futures.

Barrett signed Monday to play baseball at Mount Mercy University, an NAIA program in Cedar Rapids.

Snyder, a utility player, will continue his career at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Ill., - near DeKalb and the campus of Northern Illinois University.

Barrett, a first baseman, batted .254 last season with three home runs and 18 RBI.

"I really like what Desi (Druschel, head coach at Mount Mercy) does with the guys," Barrett said. "I've been up there a couple times to watch practice and I like the work ethic.

"It's a perfect place to keep playing because hopefully I can get in the lineup or have a chance to succeed in my first year there."

Barrett, also a starting offensive lineman on the football team and a reserve on the basketball squad, said it came down to Mount Mercy and Wartburg College in Waverly.

"Only a hour way kind of helps," Barrett noted, "and the way Desi runs the program solidified things with Mount Mercy."

Last season was Barrett's first as a varsity starter.

While it was a rollercoaster season, Barrett believes he's matured as a player.

"I feel like I've gained a lot of confidence, especially in the field," Barrett said. "When it comes to fielding, I haven't been the greatest. I've really pushed myself to get better there."

Wilton head coach Jake Souhrada said Barrett has shown improvement.

"His defense is coming along all the time," the head coach said. "He became much more patient at the plate last year and had better pitch selection. He wasn't just up there to kill the ball.

"He became more of a complete hitter last year."

Snyder hit .361 last summer with three homers, 18 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

He spent most of the time as the squad's designated hitter, but Souhrada expects to use him as a catcher and outfielder this season.

"He's a good hitter with really good speed," Souhrada said. "He came on for us last year, and he can contribute in a lot of ways at the college level."

Snyder has been plagued by a right knee injury suffered during football season. He tore his ACL and meniscus and strained his LCL.

He said Monday he recently tore the meniscus again and will undergo surgery later this summer.

The head coach at Kishwaukee is Josh Pethoud, who played for Souhrada's father at Davenport West.

"I slowly started falling in love with it," Snyder said. "They have a lot of new facilities and a very good program.

"I'm really excited. This has been something I've been working hard for since I was a little kid. Baseball has been one of my better sports, and now I get to show it at the college level."

First, Barrett and Snyder have some unfinished business with the Beavers.

"With all the seniors lost, not a lot of people are expecting much of us," Snyder said. "I want to surprise a lot of people.

"We're going to be young, so we've got to get them to step their game up and be prepared come tournament time."