The facilities upgrades at Washington State University have benefited more than the program’s football team.

Standout South Kitsap pitcher Mac McCarty said they were the key behind his commitment to the Cougars’ baseball program Wednesday.

“A lot of the facilities were really nice,” he said. “They have the biggest weight room in the Pac-12 by one square foot. That was a really big deciding factor.”

McCarty, a senior, said WSU became his top choice when he visited the campus about a month ago with the West Hills Vipers club team he pitches for during the summer. During that trip, McCarty pitched in a game at Bailey-Brayton Field.

“It’s a really nice campus,” he said.

South coach Marcus Logue said the Cougars noticed McCarty awhile ago. The right-handed McCarty, who pitches from three arm angles in an effort to keep hitters off balance, had a 8-0 record and a 0.15 ERA during the regular season. He struck out 68 hitters and allowed just 21 hits in 48 innings. That earned him Class 4A Narrows League Pitcher of the Year honors.

Logue, who worked with the baseball team when he attended WSU, said he talked with Cougars’ coach Don Marbut about McCarty during the June all-state game in Wenatchee.

“Obviously, this last year he performed at an extremely high level and was a huge part of our success,” Logue said. “He’s a good leader to his teammates and goes about his business the correct way.

“Through our conversations, I told him he would be a huge asset to their program over there. We’re really excited and I know coach Marbut is thrilled to have him.”

Per NCAA rules, Marbut cannot comment on McCarty until he signs with the program.

In addition to his parents and Logue, McCarty said former South assistant Jared Prince also was instrumental in his decision to commit to WSU. Prince, a former North Kitsap standout, played for Marbut at WSU.

“I talked with Jared Prince a lot about it,” McCarty said. “He gave me a lot of good insight and that really helped with my decision.”

McCarty received a partial scholarship offer from WSU. He also garnered interest from other programs, including Central Washington, but he liked the benefits that come with playing for an NCAA Division 1 program.

“Once they offered the athletic [scholarship] that just put it over the top,” he said.

McCarty said he expects to pitch for the Cougars. After all, his only two losses of the season came against 4A state champion Puyallup. But McCarty said Marbut also will allow him to try another position if he wishes. McCarty hit a two-run home run that led the Wolves to a 2-1 victory May 24 against Kentridge in the 4A regional title game. He also went 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI in South’s 10-0 state semifinal win against Wenatchee.

When he arrives in Pullman, McCarty will join infielder Shane Matheny, who graduated in the spring from Olympic. McCarty also is excited about playing against other friends, such as 2013 South graduate Kellen Traxel, who is a left-handed pitcher at Washington.

“Playing in the Pac-12 is a once in a lifetime experience,” McCarty said. “That will be pretty awesome.”