STARKVILLE — Carter Roach always has made time for baseball.
The Starkville Academy middle infielder also plays football and basketball, but baseball is always on his mind. Even after a long basketball practice, he finds time to work on his baseball game. Being bruised and battered from football doesn’t affect the time he puts in on the diamond.
Roach’s hard work paid off Thursday, as he signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Northeast Mississippi Community College.
“My dream’s always been to get to this point and play college baseball, so that was the driving force,” Roach said. “I wanted to be the best and get to that point. It’s crazy, and I can’t even put it into words. I can’t wait.”
First-year Starkville Academy head coach Brooks Roberts, who served as the pitching coach last season, has seen the work Roach has put in. He made sure he pointed that out as he introduced him to the crowd.
Roberts said Roach will go to the baseball field by himself and take swings off the pitching machine or take swings off a tee. He will field ground balls and throw them at the pitch back net. Sometimes Roach had help from his younger brother, Logan, his father, Jeff, or one of his teammates. But Roach mainly has worked by himself to get better.
“He’s a great kid, he’s a great player, and he works hard,” Roberts said. “He does the little things right. When you look for a senior, he’s the perfect one on the field, off the field, and in the classroom just being the face of the program. I’m happy for him, and I’m excited to see what he’s going to do after this year.”
In 25 games last season, Roach hit .364 and had a .490 on base percentage. He had 11 doubles, 28 RBIs, and 16 walks. He struck out eight times in 97 at-bats.
Roach is the point guard for the boys basketball team. He decided to play football this season and is a defensive back.
Roach said he usually is tired after basketball practice, but he said he pushed himself to work on baseball because he didn’t want to go home and sit on the couch.
“I’m just not the kid to sit at the house and do nothing, so I’m always wanting to be doing something,” Roach said.
Roberts said he is going to move Roach from second base to shortstop this season. Roach doesn’t expect to play shortstop for NEMCC. He said the coaching staff told him he was going to play second base and possibly some third base. Roberts said Roach is a true middle infielder.
Originally from Indiana, Roach moved to Starkville before his junior year. He said it was hard making the move, but he has enjoyed his time in Starkville.
He didn’t know much about the junior colleges in Mississippi. Former Starkville Academy standouts Caleb Griffin and Colt Chrestman signed with Northeast Mississippi last year. Roach talked to both of them and liked what he heard as he learned more about NEMCC and the baseball program.
“The coaching staff is awesome. They treated me and my family great when we visited,” Roach said. “A couple of players we met with were awesome, campus is nice, and a bunch of cool people there.”
Roberts feels Roach can go as far as he wants to with his baseball career.
“His approach to the plate is already there on the level of being able to play as long as he wants to,” Roberts said. “I think playing football this year has helped him out strength wise and mental strength wise. Last year, he took the best at-bats on the team.”
Wearing a bow tie, Roach signed his NLI. He had a big smile on his face and reflected on what it took to get to this point.
“Baseball’s always been my passion. I’ve played it since I was 4 or 5 years old. (It is) just love for the game and wanting to be the best out there,” Roach said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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