Nine student athletes from the Hinds Community College baseball program recently signed scholarships to play at the four-year collegiate level during the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) early signing period. 

Seven of the signees inked with schools on the Division I level, while the other two signed with the same Division II school. 

Fraser Adams of Brandon, a left-handed pitcher; Brent Gay of Jackson, a right-handed pitcher; and Jason Hicks of Brandon, an infielder/outfielder, all signed scholarships with the University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM). 

Michael Busby of Vicksburg, an infielder/right-handed pitcher and Mississippi State University transfer, and Ryan Nance of Brandon, a right-handed pitcher/outfielder, both inked with the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB). 

Justin Brodnax of West Monroe, La., a right-handed pitcher/infielder and Grambling State University transfer, cast his lot with Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La. 

Hunter Thompson of Florence, a right-handed pitcher, was able to sign on the dotted line with Jackson State University. 

Both Tyler Wells of Vicksburg, a catcher/outfielder and University of Mississippi transfer and Matt Gannon (not pictured above) of Port St. Joe, Fla., a right-handed pitcher/infielder and Wallace-Dothan Community College transfer, both signed on Wednesday with Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), a Division II  school in Weatherford, Okla.

“This is an exciting day for our baseball program,” said Hinds head baseball coach Sam Temple. “All of these young men are extremely deserving of earning scholarships to continue their playing careers.” 

“For us to have nine guys sign early, with the possibility of more of our players signing scholarships in the spring, speaks to the talent level and the type of players that we are bringing in to our program,” said Temple. 

The Eagles will open the 2010 season with a home doubleheader against Mississippi Delta Community College on Saturday, Feb. 13. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m. in Raymond.