Six former Hinds Community College baseball players, including a player from the fall, will continue to play college baseball, this time at the four-year college level. They played a large role in helping the Eagles to a 35-19 record and third-place finish in the Region XXIII tournament.

Five team members that declared their college intentions in the spring are Neil Barlow of Clinton, Brandon Benton of Pearl, Mark Buchanan of Winona, Derek Casola of West Monroe, La., and Stuart Magee of Columbia.

Shane Bennett of Clinton signed with Delta State University in the fall.

Barlow and Magee will play for the Mississippi College Choctaws next season, while Benton will continue his career at Belhaven College.

Buchanan will play at the University of Southern Mississippi, and Casola will move on to the University of Texas-Tyler.

Barlow, an infielder, led the Eagles in numerous offensive categories as a sophomore, hitting .418 with 19 doubles, 10 home runs and 48 RBI.

Magee, an outfielder, had a monster year as well, hitting .394 with 14 doubles, a team-leading seven triples and drove in 32 runs.

Benton, an outfielder, was a .404 hitter on the year behind 11 doubles, three home runs and 29 RBI.

Buchanan, an infielder, hit .364 with four home runs, and tied for the team lead in doubles (21) and RBI (48).

Casola, a right-handed pitcher, was the team saves leader with five, and finished with a 2-1 record and 3.88 ERA in 20 appearances.