Cedar Rapids Washington junior A.J. Puk has accepted a scholarship to play baseball at the University of Florida, he told the Metro Sports Report Wednesday night.

Florida finished second in the College World Series this year and has won two straight Southeastern Conference titles.

Puk, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman, was offered a scholarship when he visited the campus in Gainesville, Fla., last week. He called Coach Kevin O'Sullivan Monday afternoon and accepted the offer.

"They've always been my No. 1 school throughout this whole process," Puk said. "I really like the coach and the facilities are great. I really like it down there."

Puk said he also had offers from Arizona State and the University of Iowa. In addition, he anticipated receiving offers from South Carolina (the 2011 College World Series champion) and Mississippi.

Puk hit .436 with two homers and 26 RBIs for Washington this past season as a sophomore. He went 1-5 as a pitcher with a 4.90 earned run average.

Puk burst onto the national scene this year with his performances at showcases and tournaments in California, Arizona and Florida. His fastball has been clocked at 89 mph and scouts like his swing.

He said Florida has recruited him as a pitcher and hitter. "That's actually why I really like Florida, because they would really like me to be a two-way player," he said.

Puk credited Perfect Game USA of Cedar Rapids with helping his development as a player. "Perfect Game definitely helped a lot," he said. "And my family supported me through the whole time."

Puk began playing for the Cedar Rapids Washington baseball team as an eighth grader. He said he intends to play for the Warriors this season as a junior, but also plans to miss parts of the high school season to play in major tournaments with the Canes, an elite travel team that's based in Virginia.

Puk, 16, quit the Washington football team this past August to play for the Canes in major events. Tony Lombardi, who is Washington's football coach, also will coach the Washington baseball next season. Lombardi said two weeks ago that he'd welcome Puk to the squad.