Two 2012 Jefferson Davis Community College Warhawk sophomore baseball players will see their baseball careers continue after JDCC as Jeremy Barnes and Corey Thompson have committed and signed athletic baseball scholarships to play at the four-year level.
Barnes, a 6-2, 205 pound right-handed pitcher has agreed to play for coach Donnie Crawford at Stillman College located in Tuscaloosa and Thompson, a 6-4, 210 pound right-handed pitcher will play at Brewton-Parker College under the direction of coach Gregg Mullins.
Stillman College is a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
Barnes, who played at Milton High School in Florida, pitched 69 2/3 innings for the Warhawks as a freshman. He posted four wins and five losses and only allowed the opposition to achieve a 0.264 batting average over his innings pitched.
Thompson, from Lakeland, Fla., transferred to Jefferson Davis in the fall of 2010 from Polk Community College. He will follow another former Warhawk Ryne Drummonds to Brewton-Parker. Thompson made his decision and signed with the Barons over the Thanksgiving holidays. Thompson saw extensive time on the mound for the 2011 Warhawks, compiling 55 innings of work. He earned three wins and five losses and allowed the opposition a batting average of only 0.211.
JDCC head coach Darrell Blevins said Thompson was instrumental in wins collected against rivals Pensacola State College and Northwest Florida State.
“It is very exciting and a pleasure to see these two fine young men achieve their dream of getting to play at the next level,” Blevins said of Thompson and Barnes. “Exciting in that these two will have the opportunity to continue to work on their skills at excellent programs. This is a case where the hard work they have put into their craft; all the running, weight training, countless hours in the bullpen, defining and redefining their approaches, has paid off.”
Stillman College won the 2011 SIAC Championship, Blevins said.
“They have very good facilities and have many players that Jeremy has played against and already knows,” Blevins said. “He will be able to step in and help them continue in their winning ways.”
In Thompson’s case, Brewton-Parker College, has established itself as a national powerhouse in NAIA, Blevins said.
“They are consistently competing in regional tournaments and bidding for World Series berths,” Blevins said. “In Corey’s short time with us, he has shown glimpses of being the type pitcher that coach Mullins will have on the mound in one of those championship, regional or World Series games. Both of these young men will prove to be assets to these programs after the next two years. Their competitive spirits and their desire to be ‘the guy’ will ensure they will have good careers at the next level.”
According to Blevins, the Jefferson Davis Warhawk baseball program is better because of these two players as well as others having “committed to giving their best effort to the cause.”
“It is really fun to watch these young men and our team play the game as hard as they play it,” Blevins said. “Along with all the excitement about their opportunity to play more, it is also a pleasure to see guys move forward in their pursuit of a degree as well. They have done well in their two years here in the classroom too. Their instructors are to be commended for the influence they have had on Jeremy and Corey. We are all celebrating in this event.”
Barnes, 19, said pitching against JDCC in a travel ball game, earned him a scholarship to the Brewton school.
“I was playing travel ball on a team against a lot of junior colleges in the area and I pitched two games against JD and did very well, so coach offered me a scholarship,” Barnes said. “I felt like I should go where I’m wanted most.”
Barnes, a business major, said he has been playing baseball since the age of 3.
“I have always had aspirations of playing professional ball, and this is just another stepping stone,” he said. “It feels like I was awarded for the hard work I put in for this fall. My plans for baseball are to attend my junior and senior years at Stillman College as a starting pitcher. I have always dreamed to play professional baseball and then coaching or maybe opening up my own business. Baseball has always been something I knew would never give up on me when times got tough. I have never missed a season so baseball is all I know. I just want to let coach Blevins know that it was a blessing to have the opportunity to come play ball here and I want to thank him for giving me the opportunity.”
Thompson, 21, said JDCC gave him a second chance.
“I was at Polk State where I got cut because I was not focused,” Thompson said. “I ended up giving coach Blevins a call for a try out and it ended up being one of the best phones calls I have made. I am so thankful for coach Blevins giving me another shot to succeed. He gave me an opportunity to perform at my highest level, and that is what I have been doing since I have stepped on the JDCC campus.”
Thompson said he has been playing baseball since he was 4 years old and said he always has had one goal in mind.
“I have always had a goal to play professional baseball and this is just another step in that direction,” Thompson said. “It feels like a blessing that I need to make the most of. My plans for baseball are to attend my junior and senior years at Brewton-Parker as a starting pitcher. I hope to play professional baseball, or work in baseball some how after college.”
Thompson, who is a health and wellness management major, said baseball is everything to him.
“It has got me through tough times,” he said. “I have played year-round since I was young. It sounds cliche but it is my life. I just want let coach Blevins know I appreciate everything he has done for me. He is one of the main reasons I am getting this scholarship.”