Six Eagles ink with colleges

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Nov. 13, 2003
Six Meridian Community College baseball players signed with four-year programs Wednesday afternoon in the Damon Fitness Center.
Eagles third baseman Van Pope and pitcher Chris Rayborn signed to play at Ole Miss; catcher/designated hitter/first baseman Aaron George and left fielder Josh Morgan inked with the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Ala.; pitcher Jason Phillips committed to Southeast Missouri State University; and recent transfer Chad Catalano, who is a right-handed pitcher, signed with Southeastern Louisiana.
Pope, who hit .391 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs for the Eagles last year, said his experience has MCC has helped him prepare to move onto a four-year university.
Rayborn, who will be a conference pitcher for Ole Miss, posted a 10-3 record with a 2.17 ERA as the Eagles No. 2 pitcher last season.
The Natchez native said signing with the Rebels baseball team was a culmination of a boyhood dream to play collegiate baseball.
Morgan, who belted 16 home runs and carried a .382 average last season, didn't just sign with a baseball program, he also punched a ticket to return to his home state.
The left fielder grew up in Thomasville, Ala., which is about two hours away from Mobile, Ala.
George, who batted in the fifth spot in the Eagles' line up last year and finished the season with a .321 average with 12 home runs, said he was very grateful for the opportunity to continue his education and playing career.
Catalano, who posted a 9-4 record with a 2.68 ERA at Pear River Community College last season, will also return to his home state when he leaves MCC for a four-year program next year.
The Eagles' new right-handed hurler is from Mandeville, La., and he said being able to sign with a collegiate program was a dream come true.
Phillips, who had a 4.38 ERA and a 4-1 record for MCC last year, will be traveling the furthest away from the MCC nest next season.
The Moss Point native will move to Cape Girardeau, Mo., to play at SEMO, and he said he was thankful for all of the help he received at MCC to continue his career.
Federico said it was great to watch a half dozen of the players under his and the coaching staffs tutelage sign on to continue their playing career and education.