Pictured with Hallmark (seated) are (L to R): Jean Hallmark, Clyde Hallmark, Ken Hallmark, Janna Hallmark, Tharptown High School baseball coach Griffin Harris, Glenn Jackson, Janice Smith, Dwayne Smith, and Lawson State Community College head baseball coach Doug Kovash.

By Bart Moss

Former Tharptown baseball standout Kelby Hallmark signed his baseball scholarship with Lawson State Community College Monday at Tharptown High School.

Hallmark didn’t get any immediate offers to play baseball, but after working hard over the summer going to college tryouts and playing American Legion baseball with Division 1 prospects, Hallmark received a call in mid-July from the head baseball coach for Lawson State, Doug Kovash, who gave Hallmark the chance to fulfill his dreams by offering him a full scholarship to play his favorite sport.

Hallmark batted .432 with 37 RBI’s in his senior season and led the Tharptown Wildcats to their 3^rd straight state tournament berth.