By Erik Harris
TRUSSVILLE – Two Hewitt-Trussville senior baseball players signed baseball scholarships Thursday night in the school’s cafeteria.
Catcher Cyle Moore signed with Shelton State Community College and outfielder Quin Jackson signed with Lawson State Community College.
“I think both kids are right where they need to be,” said Hewitt-Trussville head coach Jeff Mauldin. “They’re going to programs that is a great fit for them. Both guys project to four-year schools. These two guys, they’ll be at four-year schools, they’re just taking a different path.”
Hewitt-Trussville catcher Cyle Moore swings at a pitch last season.
file photo by Ron Burkett
Moore, who has caught for Maudlin at Hewitt-Trussville pretty much since the coach’s arrival, led the Huskies in several offensive categories a season ago. That production paired with his exceptional talent behind the plate got him a scholarship to Shelton State Community College.
“He’s maybe one of the one or two best catchers I’ve ever coached in my almost 20 years of coaching,” Mauldin said.
Jackson attracted Lawson State Community College with his speed on the base paths and in the outfield. He batted .330 as a junior with 10 doubles, 19 runs batted in, 30 runs scored and 17 stolen bases.
“I feel like they thought that I had leadership that can come in and get the team going and thought I could come in and be coachable,” Jackson said.
His ability to produce runs or “produce electricity,” as Maudlin said, will be gladly welcomed at Lawson State. The Cougars notched an overall record of 20-30, 7-21 in the Alabama Community College Conference, a season ago.
Hewitt-Trussville center fielder Quin Jackson swings at a pitch against Vestavia Hills in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs in April 2014.
file photo by Ron Burkett
Shelton State head coach Bobby Sprowl, who stood behind his future catcher on Thursday, coached Shelton State to a 35-22 mark in 2014. The longtime college coach prides himself of producing great pitchers that can be difficult to catch, but has confidence in Moore’s ability to do the job.
“When you watch him play and the way he handles the pitching staff you go, ‘Wow, he can handle our pitching staff,’ which is probably the best in the state, and that’s the type of catcher we’ve got to have,” Sprowl said.
Moore had a .986 fielding percentage as a junior and threw out 22 runners attempting to steal last year. His offensive production at the plate was equally impressive, batting for an average of .412 with 49 hits, three home runs, 40 RBIs and seven game-winning RBIs (all led the team).
Hewitt-Trussville went 31-10 in 2014 and reached the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.
