By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — Six Hewitt-Trussville senior baseball players on Sunday signed scholarships to play at the next level.
Blake Bailey and Chandler DeRieux will play at Huntingdon College, Will Baumgartner will play at Berry College in Rome, Ga., Michael Busby will play at Calhoun Community College, DeMarcus Kelly signed with Lawson State Community College, and Riley Stokes is headed to Jefferson Davis Community College.
Bailey, who will also play football at Huntingdon College, is one of Hewitt-Trussville’s top two or three starting pitchers, head coach Jeff Mauldin said.
“Blake’s come a long way in our program from being kind of a No. 4 or 5 guy last year to carrying the torch this year,” Mauldin said.
DeRieux, a backup middle infielder, projects to be a first baseman at Huntingdon College. Mauldin said DeRieux had a good fall at showcase camps.
“He loves the game of baseball,” Mauldin said.
Baumgartner will likely play in the outfield at Berry College, a position Mauldin believes he is capable of. He said Baumgartner has the potential to be a solid offensive player.
“He really gives you everything he’s got,” Mauldin said.
Busby, a sidearm relief pitcher, had a great run during the 2013 Class 6A state playoffs. Mauldin said Busby is Hewitt-Trussville’s “go-to guy” no matter the situation in later innings.
Kelly, a left fielder, is a “phenomenal athlete,” Mauldin said. Kelly also played football and basketball at Hewitt-Trussville.
“He’s got a very high ceiling as a baseball player,” Mauldin said.
Stokes, a right fielder, is a “very good hitter” for Hewitt-Trussville, Mauldin said. He said he jokes with people that Stokes can fall out of bed and get three hits. Stokes came to Mauldin last year, asking to move from catcher to the outfield so that he could be in the lineup.
“It really paid dividends for us,” Mauldin said.
Earlier this year, senior pitchers Austin Treglown (Wallace State Community College) and Alec Talley (Jefferson Davis Community College) also signed. Junior shortstop Carter Pharis is committed to play at UAB.
Mauldin said it’s “really cool” for the program to be getting to a point of seniors signing scholarships, of the program being noticed regionally.
“We’re excited for these kids, and we’re excited for our program and what the future holds,” Mauldin said.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.