Jefferson Davis Community College shortstop Andrew Tindell has recently committed to the University of South Alabama to play baseball for the Jaguars and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
“I’m really excited about signing with South,” Tindell said. “I’ve always been determined to play division one baseball and now is my chance. Years and years of work hasvebeen paying off since I got to JDCC and now it will continue on after I am done here and playing at South next year.”
Tindell said he has always been interested in playing baseball at USA, especially the last couple of years.
“They have outstanding baseball facilities, a great history, and an excellent coaching staff,” he said. “If I wasn’t playing baseball next year I was planning on going to school at South regardless because I really like the campus and it’s not too far from home. So it was a perfect fit for me.”
Tindell, who is originally from Escambia High School in Pensacola, was a two-sport star in both soccer and baseball. He was selected to the Pensacola News Journal All-Area team in soccer and baseball and was selected as Player of the Year in soccer for the Pensacola area his senior year.
Tindell decided to come to JDCC instead of pursuing other options he had to play collegiate soccer and the decision has been a positive one for both himself as well as the Warhawks. Since the day he stepped on campus as a freshman he has been a model student-athlete for JDCC head baseball coach Darrell Blevins. Tindell has a 4.0 grade point average and does everything the coaching staff asks of him and more.
Tindell’s dedication in the classroom and on the field has given him the opportunity to pursue his dream of playing Division I baseball and get his degree in his desired profession at USA.
As a freshman, Tindell led the Warhawks offensively hitting .364 while playing in 48 games. He was a mainstay in the top of the line-up where he showed off his speed by stealing 16 bases. His freshman success landed him on the second team All-Southern League team.
The Warhawks are expecting another big year from Tindell on the field and as a team leader, according to Blevins.
“He has done a phenomenal job of taking freshmen under his wing and shows them what it takes to be successful at the junior college level,” Blevins said. “There aren’t many junior college players in the country who will play the game harder day in and day out then Andrew Tindell.”
Tindell and the Warhawks of JDCC will begin their 2013 season at home on Tuesday, Jan. 29. The Warhawks will be taking on Pensacola State College at 1 p.m. The game will be a nine-inning game.
Tindell said since he already knows that he has somewhere to play next year, he can just play “stress-free baseball” during the 2013 season for the Warhawks.
“I can just go out and have fun and play the best baseball I possibly can,” he said. “I can’t wait to get this season started and have our team be one of the top contenders in the state.”
Mark Calvi is the head coach for the South Alabama Jaguars.
According to the South Alabama athletic Website, www.usajaguars.com, Calvi became the fifth head coach in South Alabama baseball history at the conclusion of the 2011 season, after spending the year as associate head coach/head coach in waiting.