June 29, 2018
Several rising sophomores on the East Central Community College Warrior baseball team are sharpening their skills this summer by participating in collegiate baseball leagues around the country.
Eight Warriors are playing summer league ball in five states, from North Dakota to Kentucky.
“Having this many players who are off competing in collegiate wooden bat leagues just attributes to the type of players they are and the level of commitment they have to the sport of baseball,” said ECCC Head Baseball Coach Neal Holliman. “We are thrilled that these young men were willing to go off and play as we strive to provide every opportunity for players to develop.”
Two Warriors were recently selected to play in the Expedition League All-Star Game. The league sponsors eight teams in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Catcher Alex Hay, who prepped at Lewisburg High School, and infielder Anderson Shelley from Washington School in Greenville will play for the Lewis Division in the Expedition League All-Star Game July 2 in Hastings, Neb.
Hay, who is playing for the Souris Valley Sabre Dogs in Minot, N.D., is batting .303 with five doubles, three home runs, and 19 RBI.
Shelley, who is playing for the Hub City Hot Shots in Aberdeen, S.D., is hitting .372 with 10 doubles and 11 RBI.
Outfielder Ken Scott of Clarkdale is also playing in the Expedition League with the Pierre Trappers out of Pierre, S.D.
Three ECCC Warriors are playing closer to home in the Cotton States Baseball League. Right-handed pitcher Austin Braswell out of Presbyterian Christian in Hattiesburg, outfielder Dakota Kennedy from Philadelphia and Choctaw Central High School, and right-handed pitcher Woody Vowell from Ackerman and Choctaw County High School are all playing for the Tallahatchie Rascals in New Albany. The Cotton States League has six teams, all playing in Mississippi.
Other Warriors playing summer baseball include right-handed pitcher Thomas Boothe out of Bayside Academy in Fairhope, Ala., who is playing for the Griffons in Nevada, Mo., a member of the MINK Collegiate Summer Baseball League. The MINK League has eight teams in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Left-handed pitcher Chance Shepherd out of Lucedale and George County High School is playing for the Railroaders in Fulton, Ky., a member of the Ohio Valley Summer Collegiate Baseball League. The Ohio Valley League has eight teams in Kentucky and Indiana.
