2014 Combined

ECCC Diamond Warriors)F_"·_ _ _

After his 2013 Diamond Warrior squad captured the pro gram's third state title and his second crown as head coach, Neal Holli.man's goal for the 2014 version of East Central Community College baseball is same for each of lus previous seven squads - "Maximize Potential." The 2013 Diamond Warriors included a bevy of talent, led by shortstop/slugger Tim Anderson ofTuscaloosa, a first round selection in the Major League Baseball Draft by the Chicago White Sox. Anderson, the only commu nity college player in the nation invited to attend the draft selec tion program held in New York and shown live on ESPN, also garnered the 2013 David Rowlands Award, presented to the nation's top JUCO male athlete, in addition Lo reccivmg NJCAA Division II All

American, Region 23 and MACJC All-State honors. Tur former Hillcrest (Ala.) High School standout also received team most valuable pla)er honors after helping lead ECCC to the state lltle and third-place finish in the Region 23 Tournament en route to a 32 21 record. · Other team members from the state championship squad continuing their careers include outfielder Xavier Franklin (Newton County) and Terrance Steele (Neshoba Central), infielder/outfielder Kalik May (Tuscaloosa County), left handed pitcher Brady McBride (Northeast Jones) and right handed pitcher/third baseman Jordan Mixon {East Webster), who all signed with Mississippi VaJJey State. Regarding the outlook for this year's squad, which begins season action by hosting

Pensacola Commumty College at I p.m. Saturday Holliman said: 'Tue number of new mem bers on this team has been a challenge, but I believe we are continually growing in the right direction. Our sophomores are a fine group of men "ith talent and even though many did not start full-time as fre!>hmen, they still played a ro1e last season and will be expected and are eager to play a major role in the upcoming season." Sophomores expec1ed to

provide leadership for this year's squad are team captains Mason Woodrow, a right-hand ed pitcher from Taylorsville; Ma~well Harmon, an in.field er/outfielder from Enteipnse, and first baseman/outfielder John Morgan Berry, a M'- baseman/outfielder from Madison Central. The Neshoba Democrat, Philadelphia, Mks., February s, 2014, JB begin defense of state title

Other rerurnees include University of We t Alabama signee Jake Bush, an outfield er/left-hander pitcher from Brookwood (Ala.) High School; outfielder Zach May, Newton County; right-handed pitchers Conner West of Taylorsville and 1Y Hendrix of East Webster; and first baseman Caleb Woods, Leake Central. Another sophomore is right handed pitcher Kale Fultz of Covington, Tenn., a transfer from Southwest Tenn. Community College. Holliman said the freshmen group is also laden with talent and has the potential to be suc cessful.

Freshman players and their respective high schools include outfielder Ben Cooley, South Jones; infielder Dylan Little, Mary G. Montgomery, Semmes, Ala.; short stop/sec ond baseman Hunter Thrower, Southeast Lauderdale; outfield er . Cojua~te McMillian, Hamilton; left-handed pitcher Zach Mowdy, Union; outfielder Kyle McCullough, Madison Ridgeland Academy; catcher/right-handed pitcher Lane Fazende, Pearl River Central; left-handed pitcher/outfielder Will Myers, Leake Academy; catcher Todd Hughes, Clarkdale; left-handed pitcher Cory Kitchens,

Heidelberg Academy; right handed pitcher/infielder Ryan Ward, Madison Ridgeland Academy; outfielder Gage SulJivan, Richland; left-handed ~itcher Nick Wilson, Terry; nght-handed pitcher Dillon Drake, Puckett; third baseman/first baseman Cody Daigle, Parkview Baptist Addis, La.; outfielder/catche; Deshawn Pittman. Quitman; outfielder Reagan Warren, Newton County; outfielder/first baseman Chance Whitten, South Panola; right-handed pitcher Colby Eaves, Nanih Waiya; and right-handed pitch er/catcher Seth Dement Hamilton. '

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