Four Co-Lin baseball players ink with four-year schools

WESSON, Miss. – Four Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolves signed with four-year schools on Wednesday to continue their baseball careers after their time in Wesson. Anthony Clapp, Christian Day, Hayden White, and Justin Hutton are all early signees and still have the 2018 season at Co-Lin.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity for these players," said Co-Lin head coach Clay Smith. " These are all players that work hard, and I could not be more proud of them…we also are hoping to have about 14 more get opportunities to play at four-year schools in the spring."

Anthony Clapp, a sophomore right-handed pitcher from Seminary, Miss., inked with Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. Clapp was 1-2 on the mound last season with two saves through 13 appearances for the Wolves. The Seminary High School graduate posted a 7.94 ERA and struck 22 batters on the year.

"I came to Co-Lin as a catcher, so they have transformed me into the pitcher that I am today…they really worked with me and got me to the level I'm at today," said Clapp. "The atmosphere of Spring Hill was great while I was there on a visit. They have a new coach coming in who plans on changing the direction of the program and I'm looking forward to being a part of that."

Christian Day, a 6'0 RHP from Natchez, Miss., signed with Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. Day was a leader for the Wolves on the mound as a freshman with 12 appearances and 11 starts. Day had a 5-3 record and a 6.31 ERA. The Jefferson County High School graduate led Co-Lin in strikeouts with 63.

"The coaches have really held me accountable during my time at Co-Lin," said Day. "I'm looking forward to joining Delta State's team and leaving my on mark on the historic program."

Hayden White, a sophomore middle infielder, will join Day in Cleveland at Delta State University. White battled injuries during his freshman campaign and saw action in 23 games. The Madison-Ridgeland Academy graduate batted .239 and drove in 14 runs during his brief season. White also swiped 11 bases on the year.

"The coaches have pushed me every day and held me at a high standard…Co-Lin has been extremely beneficial to my success," said White. "I'm really looking forward to this next season at Co-Lin. We have some young guys that are going to step in and fill those gaps that we were missing last season. I think we are going to surprise a lot of people."

Justin Hutton rounded out the Wolves early signees. Hutton comes to Co-Lin via Holmes Community College. The Terry High School graduate looks to make an immediate impact to Co-Lin's program on the mound. While at Holmes Hutton made eight appearances and had a 1-2 record. The right-hander struck out 12 batters in 13.2 innings on the season.

"I played in a league this summer and several of the players were from Arkansas Monticello and they were a huge selling point to me," said Hutton. "I'm looking forward to this season first…we have a lot of sophomore talent on this Co-Lin team so I think it's going to be a great season for us.

The Wolves start the 2018 season on Friday, February 16, 2018 as the Wolves host Panola College at Sullivan on Co-Lin's Wesson campus. First pitch of game one is set for 3 p.m. To stay up-to-date on all things Co-Lin visit colinathletics.com.

Left to right; head coach Clay Smith, Hayden White, Kim White, and Donnie White

Left to right; assistant coach Jack Edmonson, head coach Clay Smith, Justin Hutton, Sheri Hutton, and Randal Hutton

Left to right; head coach Clay Smith, Josh Day, Christian Day, Nia Day, and David Day

Left to right; head coach Clay Smith, Anthony Clapp, Virginia Clapp, and assistant coach Bryan Nobile