Marion’s Guyear to play for Tennessee Tech

Recent Marion County High School graduate Zephan Guyear has signed a baseball scholarship with NCAA regional participant Tennessee Tech.

“I’m excited, especially after watching them play on TV this past week,” the two-time Times Free Press all-area player said. “I’m going to miss Marion County, but I’m looking forward to getting up there.”

Guyear will get a look at shortstop and could wind up at third base, but he could play almost anywhere on the field, Marion coach Steven Roberts said.

“He’s versatile. He played all nine positions for us at some point in his career here,” Roberts said. “This year he settled in at third base for us and then played shortstop when (Joe) Muir pitched.”

Guyear’s batting prowess attracted the recruiters. He finished the 2009 season with a .429 batting average and a .714 on-base percentage, scoring 58 runs and adding 46 RBIs and 23 stolen bases.

“He was the most productive player we have had over a four-year span,” Roberts said. “He didn’t start every game as a freshman, but he played a lot that first year. He’s one of those types of players that come along rarely. I never coached one that had his athletic ability or one that carried himself as well on and off the field and in the classroom. He is just a good all-round kid.”

Guyear had a .403 career batting average for the Warriors.

“Zephan is the type that is going to work hard. He wants to play, but he isn’t going to get mad if he doesn’t play as a freshman,” Roberts said. “He knows baseball and understands the game. He is very competitive, but he also learned as he matured to harness his emotions.

“He is going to do some good things in college, and I think he will be productive as a college student-athlete and in life once he graduates.”