Phil Campbell standout to play baseball at Wallace State

Phil Campbell baseball standout Ridge Raper announced on Twitter last week he has committed to Wallace State Community College.

“I just really liked Wallace State,” said the rising senior. “They have a very good baseball program, a great staff and very nice facilities. It seems like a great fit for me. They do a great job of making people better and sending guys to the next level, and that’s what I want to do.”

Raper said getting the commitment out of the way will help him focus on his last year as a Bobcat.

“I’m looking forward to all of it,” Raper said. “It’s my last chance to win a state championship, and that’s been my goal since I started playing.”

Raper has used his time wisely the last few months to stay in shape and stay sharp. “We practice either football or basketball every day of the week, and then I go do baseball after, so that keeps me in shape, and it’s prepared me for summer baseball.”

Raper made the Class 3A Terrific 20 list for his performance in abbreviated play this spring. He had a record of 17-2, with 1.74 earned run average in the shortened season. He has a career batting average of .362 and a slugging percentage of .463.

Despite those stats, Raper will go to Wallace primarily as a pitcher. He has a 17-2 career record on the mound and a 1.74 earned run average.

His coach and father Jonathan Raper said this was the right move at the right time for his son.

“I’m proud and excited, as his dad and his coach, for him to get this opportunity to continue his baseball career,” said the elder Raper. “He’s worked hard to get this opportunity, and it’s great to see his hard work pay off. He’s spent a lot of time trying to become a good baseball player. I’m glad all the hard work has paid off for him.

“I think Wallace is a great place for him to start his college career,” he added. “I think it will give him a chance to grow and improve as a baseball player. We feel blessed as a family that he got this opportunity.”