Scott Moses to play baseball at Belmont

Being the youngest of three brothers, Scott Moses was always learning. He also was always coming out third-best in many of the trio's competitions.

"Both of my brothers [Shane, Jeff] signed with junior colleges and I wanted to out-do them and go to Division I," the McMinn Central senior said.

He did it by signing a baseball scholarship with Belmont University in Nashville during the early signing period.

"It's something I have wanted — probably since I started learning to walk," the Chargers' pitcher and shortstop said.

"He had a lot of offers. He had talked with Memphis and MTSU. I think this is a really good fit for him," McMinn Central coach Travis Hart said. "Scott is just a typical Englewood boy that's hard-nosed and always wanting to play. He's a smart kid that will graduate among the top 10 or 15 in his senior class."

Moses, who is currently the starting point guard for the Chargers' basketball team, is 16-2 over the past two seasons and his one loss last year came in a the postseason when he gave up two earned runs. He also hit .396 and was successful on 46 of 48 stolen base attempts.

"In his career Scott has pitched and played in a lot of pressure situations and he isn't afraid of them. I'd say he likes being in those situations," Hart said of the 5-foot-11, 165-pounder.

Moses could feel the pressure almost immediately when he arrives in Nashville. Hart said there's a good chance that his player will get on the field as a true freshman.

"Everything that I've heard and seen indicates that there's better than a 50 percent chance that he'll start. I know it's hard for freshmen to step in and play but he has the want-to and the will. He'll work his way into the lineup," Hart said.

"I obviously had God-given talent to sign Division I but I also have worked hard to develop that talent. If I see a player that's better than me then that makes me work even harder," Moses said.

It's likely that Moses will get looks at a middle infield spot, in the outfield and on the mound.

"I want to play more in the middle infield but I really just want to get on the field. They just built a new turf stadium. The only thing that isn't turf in the pitcher's mound and the home plate area," Moses said.

Moses' arrival will boost the number of Chattanooga area players at Belmont to three. He'll join outfielder Dylan Craig from Baylor and pitcher Chase Brookshire from McCallie.