Sports

Lee County baseball duo ink scholarships

• Trojans standouts Jeremy Sheffield signs with West Georgia, while Zach Hood is headed to Truett-McConnell.

Derek Barichello

LEESBURG — Lee County baseball standouts Jeremy Sheffield and Zach Hood signed on the dotted line Tuesday morning, becoming the latest stars to leave the Trojans’ program for the next level.

Family and friends gathered at the high school's media center as Sheffield signed with the Division II West Georgia Wolves of the Gulf South Conference — the same school his brother Derrick and former Trojan Bradley Abell are currently playing in their senior seasons — while Hood committed to Truett-McConnell Junior College in Cleveland.

"I'm very excited," Sheffield said. "I think I'm ready to take that next step."

Hood shared the sentiment.

"This is a special moment for me," Hood said. "I'm glad my family and friends are here to share it. I've always imagined this would happen."

Taking a look at the numbers, it is easy to see why both schools picked these two particular Trojans.

Sheffield, Lee County's lead-off hitter, is currently swatting .467 in 60 at-bats with 17 RBI and only three strikeouts. Last season, he hit .408 — proving he knows what to do with a bat in his hands.

"When we put him in the leadoff spot, our offense took off," Lee County coach Rob Williams said. "He has a good idea at the plate of what he's doing and he's a solid defensive player.”

And now with the addition of the newest Sheffield to the Wolves’ lineup, Lee County is making a name for itself in Carrollton.

Former Trojans' player Abell is second on the team in hitting with a .363 average, nine home runs and 41 RBI, while Sheffield’s brother Derrick — a pitcher — is 5-3 with a 6.62 ERA on the mound and has helped West Georgia to a 27-15 record.

Sheffield said his brother’s success at West Georgia played a major role in decision.

"It influenced it a lot," Sheffield said. "In his two years there, he enjoyed it. I went up there on weekends and enjoyed it a lot. I think it's a nice school and the team seems like a nice fit for me."

Hood, on the other hand, has been touted for his leadership qualities — something Truett-McConnell, which went 15-28 last year, hopes will carry over into next season.

Hood is hitting .269 in 26 at-bats, with two RBI and a home run. But in the bigger picture, the Trojans catcher is the captain of the infield, which Williams says is a job only Hood can do.

"He does a great job of handling pitchers," Williams said. "With him, it's always like having another coach on the field."

In the end, Williams thinks both of his players made wise decisions.

"Truett-McConnell will give Zach an opportunity to develop," Williams said. "I think he's capable with the hard work he puts in to be at a four-year school, and Jeremy will compete right away with other freshmen for a spot in their lineup."

The signing day was just another feather in the cap for a program that's proven it can develop players for the next level. Buster Posey and brother Jack are stars at Florida State, while Herald Player of the Year for 2007, Thomas Nichols, is now at Georgia Tech.

"It always speaks well for Lee County baseball," Williams said.

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