Fort Gay, W. Va. — For the first time in the school’s history, two Tolsia High School baseball players signed to play in college in the same year after Austin Bailey signed his National Letter of Intent last Wednesday to play baseball at Alice Lloyd College.
L to R Bottom Clifford Cook, Austin Bailey, Nana Parsons
On the day Eric Williams signed with the Eagles Bailey and Head coach Scott Cornett talked and scheduled a workout on campus at Alice Lloyd. A few things stuck out to Bailey about the campus during his visit: friendly faces, a supportive coaching staff, and the small-town feel he’s accustomed to.
Austin picked up two of the Rebels victories this season on the mound and hit .390 from his leadoff spot with 11 doubles, 1 triple and drove in 22 runs.
Luke Creasy contributed to this story
Alice Lloyd Signee Austin Bailey
PLAYER’S COMMENTS
“… My time at Tolsia was the best time of my life and I want to thank all of my high school coaches and little league coaches for making me the ball player I am today. When I went to Alice Lloyd for my visit I automatically fell in love with the place everyone was so nice and the coaching staff is amazing and I can’t see what the future holds for me there. I want to thank everyone who has been there for me throughout my life. I want to thank Brandon queen and all of my people at Wayne for being there for me when I needed all of them the most and loving me unconditionally I want to thank my Nana and Clifford for taking me in under some awful circumstances and Im beyond thankful for everything I’ve been through because it has made me the man and ball player I am today and I truly don’t know where I would be without all of these people.”
Tolsia Head Coach Jeff Wallace
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… It’s never happened before. I’ve been here four years and it hasn’t happened under me, and I’ve talked with several other people and nobody can recall it happening,”
“… He had a tough time most of his freshman year as most upper classmen really made it hard on him and Eric both for the amount of playing time they received. Austin will do well as long as he keeps his same work ethic he has had since arriving on our campus.”
Alice Lloyd Head Coach Scott Cornette
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… I was impressed with not only the athletic ability of the pair, but also the kind of people they are off the field, a major upside to the signings.”
“…He’s just athletic and seems like a good fit for us,” he said of Bailey. “He can pitch, play the infield, and do different things out there. We’re pretty excited about what he could be for us in the future.”
content from this article has been copied from a June 8 article in the Herald-Dispatch in Huntington.