The season isn’t over, but one local baseball player is already planning for the next level.
First Presbyterian Christian Academy short stop DeShaun Collins signed a letter of intent which will take him to North Carolina’s St. Andrew’s University in the fall.
The signing took place inside FPCA’s library where the Highlander baseball team, former Liberty County High School teammates and Collin’s family surrounded the soon-to-be graduate.
Collins played at Liberty County High School before transferring to FPCA. His uncle Henry Baker said he is proud of his nephew.
“He was playing ball at Liberty and he got cut from Liberty’s team, but here he is signing a scholarship and that is a great accomplishment. He never gave up and kept fighting,” Baker said. “For most kids that would have been devastating, especially as a senior, but he kept fighting.”
“It is always exciting when you can help a young person extend their education and I am happy that DeShaun is being given this opportunity,” Lily Baker, Collin’s aunt said. “…I am disappointed when kids have to change schools to fulfill their dreams.”
Collin’s mother Annette Hunter said she was elated.
“He is the last child at home, going off to college and actually fulfilling one of his dreams which was to play baseball in college,” she said. “We will miss him because he is a bundle of joy and keeps us on our toes … But he will not be too far from home so we will get the opportunity to see him.”
St. Andrews is in Lauringburg, N.C. Collins said he was impressed with its baseball program. He said he plans to major in sports management.
FPCA coach Andy Yanzetich said St. Andrews is a good fit for Collins.
“It’s a good school with great academic programs and he fits right in because he is a good student,” the coach said. “He played summer ball with an organization and they (St. Andrews) saw him and had him come and Collins worked out with them over the summer. He has a lot of skills, there is no doubt about that… He is also the glue to our infield. He creates havoc on the base paths, and a prototypical leadoff batter with 7 walks.”
“Going into my senior year I didn’t have too many offers … I like the baseball program they have up there…they are close knit like a family,” Collins said.
He said he thinks he’ll be able to stay at short-stop, where he plays at FPCA.
His father Arnos Hunter said Collins has worked hard on the diamond and preparing for college.
“We have instilled in him that hard work pays off. He hasn’t just been sitting around the house,” he said. “He’s had several jobs to earn money to teach him the value of a dollar.”
Collins stats as of March 22:
13 at bats, 10 runs, 7 hits, 1 double, 1 triple, 3 singles, 1 hit by pitch, 7 bases on balls, 1 strikeout, 6 RBIs, .681 on base percentage and a .583 batting average.