WARDEN — Zach Askin worked toward this moment since he was a five-year-old.

On Wednesday, the long hours in the batting cage and taking fielding practice ended with a signature. The Warden outfielder signed his letter of intent to play for Yakima Valley next spring.

“I’m pretty excited about it because I’ve always wanted to play baseball at the college level and now I’ve got the opportunity to go do it,” Askin said. “Since I’ve been playing since I was a little kid it’s always been a dream of mine to keep playing and hopefully I get to go farther after this.”

Askin helped Warden to a Central Washington 2B South league championship and a state tournament berth last season. Next year, head coach Dan Caballero thinks Askin will fit right in with the Yaks.

“Zach’s one of those players where he can come in and play at any outfield position,” he said. “With his speed he can come in and have an immediate impact with Yakima Valley as he comes in and can really help them. Also see him being a role player whether it be coming in wanting him to run bases or executing that bunt that maybe they need for run insurance. There’s numerous things I see Zach doing, but he can come in at that next level and definitely have an impact.”

Yakima Valley finished with a winning record in 2015, but missed the NWAC playoffs by four games.

Warden begins its baseball season March 22 at home against River View.