Signal Mountain High School baseball player Seth Wicker signs with Lee University. From left are SMHS baseball coach Josh Gandy, Seth and parents Leah and Scott Wicker.
Signal Mountain High School senior Grant Galbraith signs with Jacksonville State University. Front from left are Donna, Grant and Moe Galbraith, with SMHS coaches Matt Raper, Bumper Reese and Josh Gandy, back from left.On National Signing Day Nov. 9, two Signal Mountain High School baseball players, friends who have been playing together since they were children, became the first players from the school to receive scholarship offers to play ball in college.
Senior Seth Wicker, a lefty who pitched and played first base for the SMHS team, said he signed with Lee University and will serve as the team's pitcher.
Seth has been playing since he was 4 years old, and his father, who also pitched in college for Cleveland State, inspired him to become a pitcher, he said. Seth also credited his favorite player, Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, as an inspiration.
"I've always wanted to play in college, and Lee has a very good [baseball] program," said Seth, whose fastballs have been clocked at up to 86 mph.
Teammate and fellow senior Grant Galbraith was recruited by Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Ala. Grant has been playing since he was 5, and plays center field and third base for SMHS.
It was in ninth grade, after hitting his first official home run, when he realized playing baseball in college might be an option for him, he said. Grant hit three home runs during his junior season, and six over the summer while playing for his other team, the Cyclones. He hit 21 doubles last year, which he said was more than any other player in the county.
During a camp at Jacksonville State, Grant's batting practice on the field drew the attention of coaches.
"As soon as I drove up on campus for the first time, I fell in love with it," he said of Jacksonville State, where he will likely play in the outfield. "The coaches felt like family, and I knew it was the best fit for me."
The two teammates won't be playing against each other next year, as Jacksonville State is part of Division 1's Ohio Valley Conference, and Lee's team is in the Division 2 Gulf South Conference. It may happen in the future, though, as both said they would love the opportunity to play professionally.