Nanih Waiya's Colby Eaves Signs with ECCC

News Release:

Numerous high school baseball standouts have signed national letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at East Central Community College in Decatur.

The 11 student-athletes were recognized during a special ceremony held Jan. 15, 2013, in the Molly McGee Gold Room in Mabry Memorial Cafeteria.

Signees and their respective high schools include (seated from left) left-handed pitcher Zach Mowdy, Union; left-handed pitcher Nick Wilson, Terry; right-handed pitcher/infielder Ryan Ward and outfielder/right-handed pitcher Kyle McCullouch, both of Madison-Ridgeland Academy; middle infielder Hunter Thrower, Southeast Lauderdale; right-handed pitcher Colby Eaves, Nanih Waiya; first baseman/outfielder Chance Whitten, South Panola; right-handed pitcher Blake Pugh, Wayne Academy; infielder Dylan Little, Mary G. Montgomery HS, Semmes, AL; middle infielder/outfielder Reagan Warren, Newton County; and outfielder/left-handed pitcher Will Myers, Leake Academy. Standing from left are ECCC baseball coaches Justin Brewer, Neal Holliman (head) and Jack Edmonson.

ECCC head baseball coach Neal Holliman said he is “very pleased” with the recent additions to the Diamond Warrior program.

“This is a tremendous start on our signing class for 2013,” said Coach Holliman. “We are very excited about these young men as additions to our baseball program as well as their ability to succeed in the classroom. The total package is very important to us at East Central and our past has shown success in both areas as we have been ranked nationally both athletically and academically. These additions are a tribute to the hard work of assistant coaches Justin Brewer and Jack Edmonson.”

Joining the Diamond Warriors in 2013-14 are as follows:

· Zach Mowdy, a 6’, 190-pound southpaw from Union High School. Honors include the All-District Pitcher Award. His high school coach is Dustin Hamrick. Mowdy’s parents are Sean and Amanda Mowdy of Union. Coach Holliman said of Mowdy: “He has the ability to throw from different arm angles that we believe will be vital to his success. He is a very determined person and pitcher that will continue to improve and be a quality addition to our pitching staff.”

· Nick Wilson, a 5-7, 190-pound southpaw from Terry High School. Honors include second team All-District. His high school coach is Jerry Gibson. Wilson’s parents are Jay Wilson and Shelley Wilson, both of Byram. Coach Holliman said of Wilson: “He has the ability to be a pitcher and hitter and will contribute to our team in a very positive manner. He possesses a loose arm and has a solid breaking ball from the left side. The best way to describe Nick is that he is a baseball player.”

· Ryan Ward, a 5-10, 170-pound right-handed pitcher/infielder from Madison-Ridgeland Academy. Honors include 2012 MAIS First Team All-Conference and 2012 MAIS First Team All-State. His high school coach is Allen Pavatte. Ward’s parents are Robert and Joann Ward of Madison. Coach Holliman said of Ward: “He played on a state championship team at Madison-Ridgeland Academy as a junior. He possesses a very good breaking ball that allows him to have a strikeout pitch. We look for special things from Ryan.”

· Kyle McCullouch, a 6-2, 200-pound outfielder/right-handed pitcher from Madison-Ridgeland Academy. His high school coach is Allen Pavatte. McCullouch’s parents are John and Cheryl McCullouch of Madison. Coach Holliman said of McCullouch: “He also played on the state championship team at Madison-Ridgeland Academy. Kyle is a big physical player that hits from the left side and runs well. He has a very good upside and we expect him to provide stability to the middle of the lineup as a freshman.”

· Hunter Thrower, a 5-9, 165-pound middle infielder from Southeast Lauderdale High School. Honors include Best Infielder Award 2012 and All-District. He also helped lead Southeast Lauderdale to the Class 3A State Championship. His high school coach is Shay Cooper. Thrower’s parents are Troy and Shannon Flaskamp of Meridian. Coach Holliman said of Thrower: “He played shortstop for Southeast Lauderdale when they won the State 3A title his junior season. He keeps things really simple and just catches the ball and throws it to first. He is a very consistent fielder and is a tough out at the plate.”

· Colby Eaves, a 6-5, 230-pound right-handed pitcher from Nanih Waiya High School. Honors include selection as Class 1A Player of the Year. He also helped lead Nanih Waiya to two state championships. Tyler Rogers serves as head coach. Eaves’ parents are Gail and Richard Eaves of Louisville. Coach Holliman said of Eaves: “He played on back-to-back state championship teams in 2011 and 2012 at Nanih Waiya. Colby was a very heavily sought after pitcher throughout the state by several community colleges and universities. We expect Colby to provide immediate stability within the pitching rotation as we lose several starters on the mound next year. He also has the ability to be a dual player as a pitcher/hitter.”

· Chance Whitten, a 6-5, 195-pound first baseman/outfielder from South Panola High School. Honors include District Player of the Year and Best Offensive Player Award. His high school coach is Justin Reed. Whitten’s parents are Jim and Melanie Whitten of Batesville. Coach Holliman said of Whitten: “Chance is another physical young man with the frame to be a very impressive player. With continued strength and weight, he will maximize his ability as a hitter working at first base and the outfield.”

· Blake Pugh, a 6-2, 182-pound right-handed pitcher from Wayne Academy, Honors include District Most Valuable Player (twice), State Runner-Up in Strikeouts as a sophomore and selected “King of the Hill” for three consecutive years at Wayne County High School and Wayne Academy. His high school coach is Justin Ainsworth. Pugh’s parents are Evan Pugh and Crystal Bankston of Waynesboro. Coach Holliman said of Pugh: “Blake is another player that we feel possesses tremendous upside. He throws downhill very well and possesses an out pitch in a slider. With continued consistency, Blake will be an impact pitcher. His was another arm that was sought after by others in the community college ranks.
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· Dylan Little, a 6’, 170-pound infielder from Mary G. Montgomery High School. Honors include Most Valuable Offensive Player 2012. His high coach is Terry Dixon. Little’s parents are Patsy Little and Ken Little of Semmes, AL. Coach Holliman said of Little: “Dylan was another very heavily recruited infielder from Mary G. Montgomery High School in Semmes, AL. He possesses the ability to play all three positions on the infield and will also have an immediate impact from the left side of the plate.”

· Regan Warren, a 6’, 165-pound middle infielder/outfielder from Newton County High School. Honors include 300 Club (2012), Second Team All-District, Hard Work Award and Most Valuable Defensive Player Award. His high school coach is Wyatt Tullos. Warren’s parents are Greg and Becky Warren of Decatur. Coach Holliman said of Warren: “Reagan is an athletic player that is still growing into his ability. He has a tremendous motor and with strength will continue to develop. He also hits from the left side of the plate and has the ability to play infield and outfield.”

· Will Myers, a 6-2, 205-pound southpaw hurler/outfielder from Leake Academy. Honors include All Conference Right Fielder (twice), Batting Average Award (.452) and Honorable Mention Pitching Award. His high school coach is Josh Ray. Myers’ parents are Tim and Vickie Myers of Philadelphia. Coach Holliman said of Myers: “Without a question, Will has a tremendous work ethic and strength. He provides pop from the left side of the plate as well as a strong arm that allows us to use him in both aspects on the field.