Seated, Hunter Morris, left, and Lane Hanna, right, both signed scholarships with Co-Lin Community College. On hand for the signing were Union coaches WT Smith, Dustin Hamrick and Zach Robinson. (Brent Maze/The Appeal)
Union baseball coach Dustin Hamrick doesn’t mince any words when it comes to pitchers Lane Hanna and Casey Morris.
He thinks the duo can be one of the best in Class 2A baseball.
Hanna and Morris signed with Copiah-Lincoln Community College last week, solidifying Hamrick’s claims.
“I expect them to be two of the better pitchers in the state in 2A this year,” Hamrick said. “They have grown a lot and have gotten so much better through the years. They have worked hard and I think they will really excel this year and the next two years at Co-Lin.”
Hanna and Morris received scholarship offers after going to showcase at the school.
“They got a tray and a showcase down there and the coaches liked what they saw,” Hamrick said. “The kids really liked the campus. Lane committed first and Casey committed about a week later. I think it helped that Lane committed first. They have some good coaches and good facilities.”
Hamrick also thinks both players have a tremendous upside.
“I think with a lot of work and a lot of growing, they could both play at the next level,” Hamrick said. “When you get to a community college, you are going to develop because that’s all you are going to do there. You are going to lift more and do specific lifts designed for baseball players. If they will go down there and work, I think they will have a shot at playing somewhere else.”
Pictured are Lane Hanna, center right, and his parents, Trent (left) and Mary Katherine Hanna (left center) and Dawn Hedgepeth (right). (Brent Maze/The Appeal)
Hanna, a pitcher and infielder, was also being recruited by Meridian and East Central but ultimately chose Co-Lin.
“When I went down there on my visit, they were really nice to me and made me feel welcome and at home,” Hanna said. “I think I will enjoy it when I get down there. I would like to play at a four-year school but we will see how that goes. But I want to play somewhere.
“My first year was Coach Hamrick’s first year so we have always been close. He has always made me be accountable for what I do and how good I could be. The coaches here have helped me grow as a player and a person.”
Pictured are Casey Morris, center, and his parents, Robbin and Kelly Morris. (Brent Maze/The Appeal)
Morris is a left-handed pitcher who will likely just pitch at Co-Lin.
“It was Co-Lin all the way for me,” Morris said. “I went down there and they made you feel at home. They were nice people and easy to get along with. It was a really nice campus.”
