Sylacauga native and current Jefferson Davis Community College Warhawk baseball sophomore pitcher Ryne Drummonds will take his talents from Brewton to Brewton Parker College next year as he has committed to play baseball and go to school at the Mt. Vernon, Georgia school.
Drummonds, who has been playing baseball since he was 4, attended Sylacauga High School and came to JDCC in Brewton on a baseball scholarship last season.
“I chose JD because I felt it was a good fit,” Drummonds said. “When I came down to workout after talking with coach Blevins and looking around the campus and dorms I felt like this could be a place for me to play. Coach called me about two or three weeks after coming down and offered me a scholarship. I weighed my other offers and decided that I wanted to come to JD.”
JDCC head baseball coach Darrell Blevins said Drummonds visited Jeff Davis on possibly the coldest day of the year two years ago.
“Our game with Lawson State had to be cancelled due to snow in North Alabama,” Blevins said. “It was actually about 22 or 23 degrees when we worked out that day. He has been a pleasure to work with ever since I met him.”
Blevins said it was obvious that he would be a great addition to the Warhawk program. “Not just because of the athletic abilities that he brought to the picture, but also the character that he would bring, and the energy that he demonstrated just from his desire to play the game we love,” Blevins said. “As a freshman, he helped our club not only on the mound, but also behind the plate at the position of catcher where he was dominant at times with throwing out potential base stealers. He brought a pretty potent bat to the line-up as well hitting .308 as a freshman with only about 60 at bats on the year. As a sophomore this year he has lead our pitching staff all year long. We decided to use him primarily as a pitcher this year and felt that it would be better for him if he only played catcher in times of dire need. However, he has served in the capacity of designated hitter where his presence was most definitely felt by several of our opponents this year.”
Blevins said he is certain Drummonds will have an immediate impact on Brewton Parker’s continued success.
“As of last night they were ranked number 2 in the nation in NAIA,” Blevins said. “I would not be surprised to see Ryne make it to pro ball in a couple of years. I think there is continued room for improvement with his mechanics, his body should continue to allow for added strength, his pitches offset each other well enough that he can pitch with three and sometimes four different pitches in each outing, and most of all he loves this game. If I counted correctly he will be the 27th player in our short tenure here to have the opportunity to move forward and play at the next level. I am so excited for him and his family. They truly deserve this reward and opportunity. It will be fun to follow his progress.”
The 2011 season for Drummonds, whose favorite baseball player was be Ryne Sandburg since he was named after him, is his second season with the Warhawks.
“I have enjoyed being here for two years,” Drummonds said. “I come from a small town so it didn’t bother me coming here. I got a lot of playing time the two years I have been here and also have strengthen my arm.”
Drummonds says he chose Brewton Parker because he really liked the program they are developing and they are currently ranked number four in NAIA and lead the nation in many categories.
“I went and viewed the school and really liked the atmosphere of it,” Drummonds said. “The coach pitched in the major leagues and I’m mainly going for pitching so I think that will help me get to where someday I want to be. It also did not hurt when I walked in to talk to the coach he told me if it worked out to where I came, my parents were not going to have to pay a thing for me to get a education and play good baseball.”
Drummonds said it feels good to know that he will get to continue his baseball career.
“I always worked hard in high school to make it to the college level and when I chose a two-year school I then started working towards playing at the four-year level. My main goal is to have the chance to play minor league baseball so when going to Brewton Parker I am going to focus on my mechanics and try to pick up a few more miles per hour to help me. I hope that I can shape my abilities like Jonathan Broxton for the LA Dodgers. My main goal is to make it to professional baseball. I plan on going into physical education and coach baseball.”
Drummonds says he thanks God everyday for giving him the opportunity to play. “Baseball means everything to me and I would not trade it for anything in the world. I always hoped that I would have the opportunity to play college ball but I was never guaranteed that. I am glad that Coach Blevins gave me that opportunity to play at this level.”
Drummonds said his parents have played a big role in his baseball achievements as well.
“I thank my parent for supporting me,” Drummonds said. “I know its hard letting me go and coming to games that are three hours away for two years and then next year it will be close to five hours.”
Drummonds said his advice to a high school player wanting to make it to college would be to work hard.
“Work hard and you never know what will happen with hard work,” Drummonds said. “God gave you the opportunity to play the game and I don’t take it for granted because you will not have it forever. If you are a high school kid looking to play college ball always play hard, you never know who is there to watch.”