Drew Kelley former Bearcat and catcher at Middle Georgia College in Macon, has signed a scholarship to play for the Georgia Southern University Eagles next year.
He plans on finishing this season as a Knight and transferring next Fall as a red-shirt junior.
“Playing division one baseball has always been a goal of mine eve since I was little,” Kelley said. “That’s why I went to play at Middle Georgia College. They would give me opportunity to go to those bigger schools.”
During his previous season at Middle Georgia College, Kelley belted 3 homeruns, had 26 RBIs and 21 runs with an average of .301, all in 46 games.
Middle Georgia College head coach Paul Knight said he enjoyed coaching Kelley the moment he joined the team.
“Drew is a great kid,” Knight said. “He’s a hardworking young man with a great head on his shoulders. He’s very dedicated to baseball and getting a degree.”
When Kelley toured Georgia Southern, he was impressed with the facility and the coaching staff.
With high hopes coming up this next season as a Knight and next year as an Eagle, Kelley never forgets his upbringing in Bainbridge and what his former coaches taught him.
“Back when I played in Bainbridge, they pretty much instilled the whole work ethic thing in me,” Kelley said. “If you don’t work hard, you’re not going to get anywhere in this sport.”
Kelley was playing with baseballs as a baby, joining a team when he was 4-years-old.
He fell in love with the catcher position when he was around 10-years-old. Since then, Kelley has pushed himself to be the best he could be.
In 2011, Kelley was awarded the Bearcats Golden Glove award for his outstanding performance as a player. His batting average that season was .421.
“He’s been fun to get to know, work and play with,” Knight said. “He’s one of your better players and one of our better leaders.”
Kelley’s former coach, Scott Miller, pushed what it meant to be a leader during his time with Kelley.
“He’s just one of the best high-character people I know,” Miller said. “He’s the complete package. I’m really proud of him and had a lot invested in him, so it’s nice to see it all pay off.”
Miller noted that Kelley had a phenomenal work ethic and God-given tools to play the game, referring to him being a left-handed batter and catcher. He spent time with Kelley and other players doing character studies on athletic leaders. Miller’s goal was to get his players on track to becoming leaders on and off the field.
“Coach Miller had a leadership program that I was a part of,” Kelley said. “It taught me about being a leader through my actions and my words.”