MCC Baseball Sends 12 Players To Next Level

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College baseball program has proven to be a stepping stone for the careers of such players as Cliff Lee, Tyler Moore, Corey Dickerson, and many other former MCC stars. Over the past 10 years the Eagles have sent 71 players onto professional or Division I baseball. Meridian Community College is proud to announce that 12 sophomores from the 2012 squad will be continuing their baseball careers at the next level, ten at the Division I level and two at Division II power Delta State.

“Every single one of these guys had such a positive impact on our program both on and off the field,” MCC Head Coach Dillon Sudduth said. “They have all put in the hard work in the classroom and on the field to have the opportunity to move on to such great programs.”

The 2012 season had many highlights and the player that had many special moments along the path of excellence for the Eagles this past season was catcher Wade Wass. The Pensacola, FL native was named one of the team captains for the Eagles this season and led the club in most offensive categories. Wass was named a member of the NJCAA All-American Team and was honored with the Rawlings Big Stick Award in 2012. Wass was named Miss-Lou Conference Player of the Year and was named a member of the All-Region Team during his sophomore campaign. Wass finished the season by leading the nation in home runs with 23 and has signed to continue his career next season in the Southeastern Conference at the University of Alabama. Wass was also drafted in the 2012 MLB Draft in June by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round, but has decided to continue his collegiate career with the Crimson Tide.

Three more players have signed to move on to play in the SEC with Wass and those players include: Wes Stokes, Johnny Tolson, and Jackson Lowery.

Stokes, a former West Lauderdale star, signed to play at Mississippi State and will look to make an immediate splash next season in Starkville. Stokes finished a 7-0 pitching record and recorded a pair of complete games against Baton Rouge Community College during the regular season. Stokes will look to add more depth to a Mississippi State pitching staff which was ranked first for most of the season in the SEC. Stokes was named a member of the All-Region Team and All-Conference Team in 2012.

Tolson and Lowery have both inked to play next season at the University of Arkansas for head coach Dave Van Horn. Tolson battled through an injury during his freshman season, but rebounded to have a stellar sophomore season at MCC. Tolson played a majority of his games for the Eagles at third base during the 2012 year and had a solid season at the plate. Tolson finished with a .354 batting average and drove in 35 runs this season, to go along with 16 doubles. Tolson was also named a member of the 2012 All-Region Team and a member of the All-Conference Team, while being honored as a member of the NJCAA Academic All-American Team.

Lowery played only one season for the Eagles after transferring from Central Arkansas. Lowery finished the season with a 3.65 ERA, while collecting 32 strikeouts in 24 innings.

Two players from the 2012 team will stay in the state of Mississippi and remain teammates next season at Delta State University. Michael Manley and Kasey Hinton each have signed to play for the Statesman next season in the Gulf South Conference. Delta State enjoyed a great deal of success by finishing second in the country at Division II World Series and former MCC star Ben Kingsley is also a member of the team at Delta State.

Manley was named a member of the All-Region Team in his freshman season and was a key ingredient in the starting rotation in 2012 for MCC. Manley had an 8-4 record with a 4.44 ERA, to go along with 41 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched. Manley was both a long relief pitcher and a starting pitcher during the 2012 season for the Eagles.

Hinton, a former Clarkdale standout, played both third base and shortstop throughout his career at Meridian Community College. Hinton finished the 2012 season with a .335 batting average and drove in 25 runs at the plate for the Eagles. Hinton was also one of the top defensive player on the club during 2012 with a .962 fielding percentage. Hinton was named a member of the All-Region and All Conference Team in 2012, while being honored as a member of the NJCAA Academic All-American Team.

Two more members of the pitching staff from the 2012 team will continue their baseball careers next year and those include: Brandon Hallford and Nick Helmstetter.

Hallford has signed to play next season at the University of South Alabama. Hallford, a Mobile, AL native, will look to had depth to the pitching staff for USA next season. Hallford finished the 2012 season a 1-2 record and tallied 25 strikeouts in just over 23 innings of work. Hallford worked primarily out of the bullpen during the 2012 season and made a couple of starts during mid-week games.

Helmstetter has decided to continue his baseball career next season with Northwestern State University. Helmstetter will be coached by a pair of former MCC players next season and will look to help the Demons improve on a 17-32 overall record. Helmstetter battled through major elbow problems during his time at MCC, but bounced back to play a major role out of the bullpen for the Eagles. Helmstetter logged 18 innings pitched during the season and had a 1-0 pitching record.

The final four players that have signed to perform at the next level in 2013 include: Brian Donohoe, Gabe Woods, Samuel Peterson, and Ryan Heim.

Donohoe will continue his career at the University of Nebraska next season. Donohoe played both catcher and outfield for the Eagles. Donohoe was recently honored by being named a member of the NJCAA Academic All-American Team and received the Pinnacle Award for Excellence by the NJCAA.

Woods, Peterson, and Heim each transferred to MCC for the 2012 season and made significant contributions.

Woods transferred to Meridian after spending a season in the Southeastern Conference at the University of Mississippi. Woods has signed to continue his baseball career at Southeastern Louisiana and will look to add some pop to lineup. Woods had a tremendous season at the plate in 2012 for the Eagles with a .330 batting average and drove in 42 runs for the green and white. Woods played all of his games at second base during 2012 for MCC.

Peterson transferred to MCC after spending a season at LSU and will now continue his career at McNeese State University. Peterson saw action on the mound and drew several starts at catcher for the Eagles during the 2012 season. Peterson had a .248 batting average this season with 11 RBIs, and 13 runs scored.

Heim transferred to Meridian after playing one season at Olney Central College. Heim has signed to play next season with High Point University in North Carolina. Heim saw limited action during the 2012 season and had a pair of base hits in nine games for the Eagles.