SIX PANOLA COLLEGE BASEBALL PLAYERS SIGN
NCAA SCHOLARSHIPS ON THE FIRST SIGNING DAY
11/11/04

Going into the fall semester Panola College Athletic Director and Baseball Coach, Don Clinton knew he had a talented pitching staff with six of his top seven pitchers returning from last year's playoff team.  In the spring of 2004, the Ponies were 36-22 with a team era of 3.73; the six returning freshmen combined for 30 of those wins and had a 3.48 era.

Phillip Lynch, a 6'5" right hander from Hamshire-Fannett High School led the way with a 9-3 record and a team leading 2.37 era. Lynch, a psychology major with a 4.0 GPA, signed a scholarship with Texas State University. 

Dozier Taylor, a 6'6" right hander from Springwoods High School in Houston was 8-6 on the year with a 2.74 era.  He set a new Panola College record with 102 innings pitched and led the team with 95 strikeouts.  Dozier has signed with the University of South Carolina and will major in Hotel/Restaurant Management. 

Lynch and Taylor were Panola College's two first team All-Conference selections in 2004 and both were selected to the Texas-New Mexico Junior College All-Star Team. 

The University of South Carolina also signed Chase Tucker.  Tucker, a talented lefty from Buna, TX, was 4-3 last year with a 3.53 era.  This summer he had the opportunity to pitch in one of the toughest collegiate summer leagues in the country and was selected to the Valley Collegiate League All-Star Team. 

Derek Blacksher, from Bridge City High School signed with McNeese State University.  Blacksher posted a 6-3 record last year and was used as a starter and reliever.  Derek, along with Tucker, pitched in Stanton, VA, this summer and both were selected to the Valley League All-Star Team. 

Chad Beck, from Woodville High School, was utilized mainly as a closer for the Ponies, as he picked up 4 saves with a 2.70 era.  The big, hard throwing right hander was drafted in last June's Major League Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays and has now signed a scholarship to play baseball at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 

Drew Brown, a 6'4" right hander from Klein Oak High School posted a 3-0 record with 4.50 era for the Ponies in 2004. Drew signed a letter of intent with Northwestern State University and plans to follow in the footsteps of former Panola Pony and major league pitcher Brian Lawrence of the San Diego Padres.