STARKVILLE — “Mr. Clutch” is coming to a college baseball field near you.
Starkville Academy baseball coach Neal Henry gave shortstop Kyle Henson the nickname after coaching him the past two seasons.
Henson”s ability to deliver key hits and plays will be welcomed at East Central Community College next season.
Henson signed Friday with East Central C.C., putting the lid on a solid senior season in which he hit .506 and led the team with 29 RBIs and 34 runs. He also led the team in on-base percentage (.613) and slugging percentage (.802).
“It”s a relief tot me,” Henson said. “I”ve always wanted to play ball in college. It was the only offer. East Central is a great school. They”re ranked nationally. I went down there and they have nice facilities. I would have picked them over anybody.”
Second-year coach Henry said the team will miss Henson”s production, but he hopes his work ethic and leadership left an impression on a team that finished 12-17.
“He”s my first to get signed as a head coach,” Henry said. “That always gets you excited, and it makes me feel great to see him excel in this sport I love.
“He did everything right. Whenever I told him to do something, he said, ”Yes sir” and did it to the best of his abilities. You want a senior with his kind of qualities every year. I think it breeds excellence when you have leadership like that.”
Henson, who also played quarterback for the school”s football team, wasn”t sure he”d be effective on the diamond after breaking his hand toward the end of the football season.
And though football was an option, he said baseball was his “first love.”
“I thought, ”I”m not gonna be able to swing the bat as good now,” ” Henson said. “That just kind of gave me some momentum to work harder. I came out batting .506, so I did fairly well. It was just nice that I could go on and take the next step.”
Henson joins a team that went 26-18 this season and 31-9 in 2010, when it made the NJCAA regional tournament.
Henson is one of 20 East Central signees in the 2011 class. He said East Central coaches like him at second base, though his speed and athleticism could help him play other positions.
“They say I”m a good shortstop, but second fits me better,” Henson said. “I”ve got some good speed, so I can probably play center field. We”ll figure it out in the fall. They say I can step in and help as soon as I get there. I just got to earn a spot.”
The Warriors stole 76 bases this season, so Henson, who stole 18 of 20 attempts this spring, should give the team another threat.
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