Chris Rose had several goals when he was named the new baseball coach at East Mississippi Community College.
Rose set signing the top players in the state and in the region as one of his top goals as he attempted to build a championship tradition at EMCC.
The Lions took a “massive” step in that direction Monday when Heritage Academy senior baseball players Austin Braddock and Camp Pittman signed scholarships with EMCC.
Rose, who left Meridian C.C. and is in his first season this year at EMCC, used massive to describe the importance of adding Braddock, a power-hitting infielder/pitcher, and Pittman, a right-handed pitcher, to his 2012 signing class. He is confident the Patriots will play key roles in helping him change the baseball culture in Scooba.
“They are such good players,” Rose said. “At the end of the day every good college program has one thing that is the same: They have good players. We knew we needed to make an impact on the recruiting side to show this program is different. These two guys are two of the best players in the state, and Austin may be the best position player in the state who is going to a junior college.”
EMCC (4-18) has won three games in a row and is 3-1 in the MACJC North Division. Rose knows players like Braddock and Pittman have the potential to pick up other offers or to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft. But he said he wants to bring players of that caliber into the program.
Braddock, who is finally healthy after missing much of his junior season due to elbow surgery, said he would be open to other offers that might come his way this season, but he said he is looking forward to helping turn things around at EMCC.
“I am confident coach Rose wants to win and that he is going to do everything he can to put the best team out there,” Braddock said. “I feel really confident he is going to turn things around and they are going to have a really strong season.”
Pittman echoed Braddock”s thoughts. A strong start to the season, which included a victory against Lamar School, helped sell Rose and assistant/pitching coach Michael Wallace on Pittman.
Pittman said he had other offers from smaller junior colleges, but he is anxious for the chance to showcase his skills at Scooba.
“This is a lot of heat off my shoulders because they contacted me late (in January),” Pittman said. “(Former EMCC) coach (Tony) Montgomery) recruited me a little bit, but I wasn”t sure they knew about me.”
Heritage Academy coach Bruce Branch said Pittman”s improved focus on the mound has helped him start the season strong. He said giving pitchers pitch counts has stressed the importance of maximizing each pitch so they can hit their target of 12-pitch innings every inning.
“He has stepped up this year and really proved himself as a pitcher,” Branch said. “He has done a good job pounding the strike zone for us. That is what got coach Rose”s attention at the Lamar game.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.