Ringgold's Logan Baldwin signs with Georgia Southern

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Ringgold's Logan Baldwin slides safely into second ahead of a throw to Heritage second baseman Tristan Tennant during a baseball game at Heritage High School in Ringgold, Ga.

RINGGOLD, Ga. - Logan Baldwin became the latest member of the Ringgold High School baseball team to sign a college scholarship when he recently visited Georgia Southern University, according to Tigers coach Brent Tucker.

Baldwin, a left-handed pitcher and outfielder, was a Best of Preps all-star this past season. he was 6-4 with a 2.62 earned run average and 51 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched, and he batted .370 at the top of the Ringgold lineup.

Getting a Division I offer, according to Tucker, is a testament to Baldwin's willingness to work hard while waiting his turn.

"Last year was really his first full-time season as far as being in the rotation and seeing significant innings," Tucker said. "All year long you could see his maturity improve on the mound. Big games didn't bother him. He lost 1-0 in the playoffs to Blessed Trinity in front of some scouts, and he pitched a great game. That's continued this summer."

Georgia Southern, coached by former Dalton star Rodney Hennon, likely will use Baldwin mainly as a pitcher, but Tucker believes he will get some time in the outfield.

"I think they're looking at him as a two-way guy right now," he said. "It's hard to put that kind of speed solely on the mound. I could definitely see him getting some outfield time. Georgia Southern first noticed him at the USA Trials and he ran a 6.45 [home to first base], and Rodney gave me a call. Logan liked it when he visited, so he decided to commit."

Baldwin joins Ringgold teammates Austin Parrish (Georgia State) and Gabe Rich (Cleveland State) as 2013 college signees, after seven Tigers signed collegiately from the 2012 team.

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.