Wolfpack slugger gets college call

Greenbrier High School baseball player Cal Morris has circled plenty of important dates on his calendar during the past four years.

The senior had a red-letter day May 2 when his two-out double against Evans High School in the Region 2-AAAA semifinals broke a 3-3 tie and gave Greenbrier its third win of the season over the Knights.

Ten days later, Morris had another day to remember when he blasted a game-winning home run against Bainbridge in the final at bat in the first round of the state tournament.

Then there was June 3 - the date Morris' Greenbrier Wolfpack claimed the Class AAAA state championship.

Those important dates, and many others like it, resulted in another big day for Morris. The graduate signed with Gordon College on June 27 to become the fourth Wolfpack baseball player from the 2006 squad to sign at the college level.

"The coach at Gordon called me while I was on vacation and asked me if I would come play for them," Morris said.

He made a name for himself this season after batting .352 with six home runs and 30 RBI as the starting left fielder for the Wolfpack. Though he typically batted seventh in the starting lineup, Greenbrier coach Ed Williams said Morris made huge contributions at the plate and in the field.

"To me, Cal is just beginning to reach his potential," Williams said. "On our team, he may have the most power of anyone. In batting practice he hit some balls to right field over the scoreboard and into the tennis courts."

As a lefty, Morris' power at the plate drew the attention of Gordon College, Armstrong Atlantic, Truett-McConnell and the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie. When Gordon College showed interest, they let Morris know he'd be a better fit as a first baseman.

"I played (first base) when I was, like, 10 years old," Morris said. "They said they're going to work with me. I just bought a first baseman's mitt the other day. I'm just trying to get used to it."

Morris will join Lakeside High School graduate Paul Bordon, who committed to Gordon College in the spring.

As the two Columbia County standouts prepare for their college debut, there remains one more date to circle on the calendar. Morris will face Harlem alumnus Michael Morris when Gordon College plays Andrew College next spring. The exact date has yet to be determined, but the cousins have already started a little friendly trash-talking.

"It was a rivalry between us here," Morris said. "I guess it'll still be a rivalry there."