In this file photo, Ringgold High School starting pitcher Matthew Crownover throws a pitch to a Columbus hitter during a game at Columbus State University.RINGGOLD, Ga. - Orange was the popular color on the campus at Ringgold High School Wednesday. No, the school hasn't changed its colors, but on this day the bright orange of Clemson University was on display as Ringgold pitching ace Matthew Crownover signed his letter of intent to play collegiately for the Tigers.
Crownover committed to coach Jack Leggett's national powerhouse program as a sophomore, before he had thrown a pitch that season. Two showcase games at Clemson were enough to prove to coaches there and to Crownover that this was where he belonged.
"I looked at several programs -- Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, pretty much everybody in the SEC and ACC -- but I just felt at home at Clemson," Crownover said. "I pitched there twice, first against the No. 1 18-year-old team in the country when I was 15 and threw a three-hitter, and the next year I threw a no-hitter. I think it's destiny that I go there."
The signing is another step in a journey that began before Crownover attended his first high school class. Coaching parents David and Susan Crownover decided to put Matthew in the prestigious East Cobb baseball program, where he excelled against the south's top talent and immediately caught recruiters' attention.
"We sat in the living room last night and remembered when we first went to East Cobb and recalling thinking about how much time and commitment it would take," said David Crownover, a Ringgold baseball assistant coach. "But, our goal was to get him a college scholarship, and it's been unreal how hard he's worked to get there."
Clemson's Leggett is ready to get his lefty on the mound.
"We're very excited to welcome Matthew to the Clemson family," Leggett said. "I feel as if he's already been a part of our program for a few years considering all the times he's come up to visit for football and baseball games. He has tremendous mental and physical abilities and on top of that he's a great young man. I know he will be a tremendous leader for us."
This likely isn't the final stop on the journey, either. The left-handed pitcher, who has pitched in national showcase events around the country, will get drafted this summer. Perfect Game USA ranks him as the No. 5 left-handed prep pitcher in the country. Matthew Crownover admits going pro is something he will have to consider.
"That's an option, but right now I'm just concentrating on Clemson," he said. "If life-changing money is offered I would consider it because you never know how many throws your arm has left. But, I'll be sophomore eligible because I'll be 21 after that year, so that option will be there."
n Wednesday was a busy day in northwest Georgia for securing college scholarships. In softball, Gordon Lee shorstop Kendall Johnson signed with Shorter University. Johnson batted .429 with 35 RBIs and 45 runs scored for the Class A state champions. Third baseman Courtney Towns will also sign with Shorter next week.
Heritage second baseman Renae Johnson became the second General to sign papers in the past week when she signed with Tusculum College. She was a three-year starter for Heritage and this year batted over .300 with 20 RBIs. Late last week, shortstop Brandy Goldsmith signed with Lee University after finishing her career as a four-year starter. She batted over. 400 her senior season with 31 runs scored and 20 RBIs.