Lions ace signs with college
Seminole Community College made Will Reese an offer he couldn't refuse.
The deal included baseball and an education, so the Augusta Christian graduate gladly took the bait. Reese, and all-state baseball player this past season at AC, recently signed a letter of intent to attend the junior college on a baseball scholarship.
"Seminole had made an early offer and Will was holding out to hear from College of Charleston," AC coach Craig Johnson said. "About a week ago (Seminole) called Will and offered a full ride. It was too good of a deal to pass up."
Reese capped his high-school career with a stellar senior season for Augusta Christian. During the 2003 season, the Lions' leadoff hitter recorded a .491 batting average with 10 home runs, six doubles and 29 RBIs.
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On the mound, Reese compiled a 7-1 record, a 1.91 earned-run average, and 54 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched.
Will Reese throws right and hits left, which appealed to many scouts.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Along with the solid numbers last season, Reese impressed scouts with his fielding at shortstop. When Reese joins the Florida-based squad this fall, he is expected to play either second base or shortstop.
Reese also received offers from Middle Georgia College and Truett-McConnell College, and Johnson can explain why his player was in such demand.
"Being a left-handed hitter who throws right-handed was a big plus," he said. "A lot of colleges look for that."
The Raiders compete in Region VIII of the Florida Community College Activities Association. Seminole is coming off a banner season, winning the FCCAA state baseball championship for the first time in school history and advancing to the Junior College World Series.
"Seminole is comparable to Middle Georgia. It's probably one of the elite junior-college programs in the nation," Johnson said.
Reese worked hard to become one of the elite high-school baseball players in Columbia County this year. He improved his power by constant work in the weight room, and he honed his skills by playing fall and summer baseball.
Currently, Reese is playing summer ball with the Savannah Chain, and Johnson thinks the effort will pay off for Reese at the college level.
"I think if he plays real well and does the job he's asked to do, he could catch on with a good SEC or ACC school (after completing play at Seminole)," Johnson said. "He's got to work on his arm strength and his speed. If things go right, Will has a shot at being drafted."