Cook to Transfer to Northridge

Keyaan Cook will transfer from Louisiana State to play baseball for Cal State Northridge next season, Cook’s mother Sandy confirmed Thursday.

The former two-sport standout from Montclair Prep is a reserve infielder for the sixth-ranked Tigers, playing behind two freshmen who lead the defending national champions in hitting.

Northridge Coach Bill Kernen said he received a call from Cook on Tuesday. Other than that, Kernen declined to comment, citing NCAA rules on recruiting.

But Sandy Cook, who last talked to Keyaan late Wednesday night, said, “Northridge is his No. 1 choice. That’s where he wants to go.”

Cook, a sophomore, played in 44 games for LSU last season, starting 27 as the designated hitter. He batted .276 with two home runs and 10 runs batted in. This season, he is batting .194 in only 31 at-bats.

LSU Coach Skip Bertman said he maintains a good relationship with Cook, who will finish the season with the Tigers.

As a senior at Montclair Prep, Cook batted .500 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs, attracting recruiting interest from many of the nation’s top college programs.