Harlem senior signs with USC-Aiken

Harlem baseball coach Jimmie Lewis called the hit a "swim-off."

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Steve Beasley's go-ahead home run to give Harlem the 1981 state championship came just before a downpour halted play early.

Almost 30 years later, Beasley's son, Derek, also has made a name for himself at Harlem. The senior signed Friday to play baseball for USC Aiken.

Derek Beasley said his father has worked with him on the game since Derek was able to walk, throwing every day and hitting in a batting cage.

The work earned Beasley a scholarship offer from the Pacers, who saw him play during a showcase event at the University of South Carolina this summer.

"They liked me pitching and liked my hitting," the pitcher and outfielder said. "They said I had a sweet swing and said I had a strong arm in the outfield."

Lewis expects Beasley and senior Jay Aplin to be the Bulldogs' top pitching options in the spring. He said Beasley, a left-hander, uses other pitches to set up his fastball.

"He don't overpower nobody pitching, but he's got good control," Lewis said. "He's got good command of his fastball, change and curve."

Lewis said the Bulldogs also will rely on Beasley to drive in runs.

USC Aiken coaches watched Beasley play for his White Sox travel ball team during the summer. Beasley sent them an e-mail after the event and received a call asking for a tryout.

An offer was made after the tryout, and Beasley committed. He said the Pacers had shown the most serious interest.

"Since I was little, I've been thinking about it," Beasley said of playing college baseball.

Beasley said he plans to major in pre-med, but he has no concrete plans after that. He said he wasn't sure where he would play for the Pacers, but he wants to try the same positions he plays at Harlem.