Five Lee County standout baseball players sign college scholarships

LEESBURG — Five Lee County baseball players — pitcher Nick Bush, right fielder Austin Sheltra, catcher Manny Chavarria, pitcher Michael Reddick and infielder Robbie Feagans — signed letters-of-intent Monday night to continue their baseball careers in college.

“It just shows that all the hard work that they gave all the years they were in school and all the years they were playing baseball paid off,” Lee County coach Brandon Brock said.

Bush, who signed with LSU, was recruited by several big schools in the SEC and ACC, including Florida State, Georgia and Georgia Tech. He settled on LSU because he grew up an LSU fan, and he feels they’re more likely to win a national championship. While there’s a strong chance Bush could get drafted, he plans on going to college.

“I haven’t made a decision,” Bush said. “If I get drafted, I get drafted, but I’ll probably go to college though.”

Sheltra signed with Albany State. He chose to play for the Rams over offers from Middle Georgia, LaGrange and West Virginia.

“Some of the other schools were interested, but they were a lot of walk-on-type deals,” Sheltra said. “Albany State was the only school that offered me a full scholarship, and you can’t turn down free baseball and free school.”

Chavarria’s baseball idol growing up happened to also be his cousin — current San Francisco All-Star catcher and Lee County alum Buster Posey.

“He’s a great role model for my position,” Chavarria said. “He helps me be dedicated.”

Chavarria signed with Tallahassee Community College, choosing TCC over Pensacola Junior College and Lancaster Junior College out of South Carolina.

“I like the coaching and I love the weather down there,” Chavarria said. “I feel it’s a good fit for me.”

Reddick and Feagans have decided to stay in the area and will be teammates at Darton State College. Reddick chose Darton over Albany State and Savannah State due to the fact that he will be majoring in surveying and it will be easier for him to transfer after two years.

Feagans, is a first and third baseman for the Trojans and is the back-up catcher. Feagans said he’s been told by Darton that he can work his way into the starting lineup and possibly be a designated hitter.