Vina’s Townsend signs with Blue Mountain

VINA — Brent Townsend faced many challenges while playing baseball at Vina.

He was called on to be a pitching ace and one of the Red Devils’ top hitters.

When not on the mound he was asked to play several other positions.

He tackled these tasks and put up impressive statistics in the process.

Now that he has completed his senior year, Townsend will take on a new challenge — helping to build a collegiate baseball program from the ground up.

Townsend signed with Blue Mountain College in Mississippi earlier this week. It is a college that will be fielding its first baseball team next season.

“(Helping build the program) is more of an honor,” Townsend said. “It’s going to be a neat experience.”

During his junior and senior years at Vina, Townsend has compiled an impressive stat sheet.

In those two years he has a record of 17-2 on the mound. One of his best performances was his last.

He threw a shutout in against Decatur Heritage in the first round of the state playoffs this season as the Vina won its first playoff game under head coach Greg Hamilton.

During the last two seasons, Townsend’s batting average was more than .400 and he stole 84 bases.

But it was more than his ability on the field that attracted Blue Mountain coach Curt Fowler to Townsend.

“The type of kid he is caught my attention,” Fowler said. “Plus his grades, athletic ability and he is able to play several positions.

In 2010 Townsend went 8-1 on the mound with a 2.49 ERA.

He struck out 55 batters while walking only five.

At the plate he had 42 hits, scored 38 runs and was only picked off once. He drove in 20 runs for the Red Devils and only struck out four times.