Darton baseball players sign with four-year schools

ALBANY — No strikeout, throwing error or base-running blunder could wipe the smile off the face of Darton State College head baseball coach Scot Hemmings on Wednesday.

The reason for the excitement is that four prized members from the junior college signed scholarships to further their careers, including three to Division I baseball schools. Pitchers Rabon Martin and Jeremy Beasley signed with Atlantic Coast Conference powers Louisville and Clemson respectively, while shortstop Mike Huggins signed with Georgia State.

In addition to Colton Thomas (South Alabama) and John Cable (New Orleans) who signed in the fall, the Cavaliers have five players who will continue their careers at Division I schools.

Pitcher Sam Goberdhan also signed with Division II power Armstrong State on Wednesday. He joined teammate Tyler Morris, who had already signed with Valdosta State.

“This is a reason we were able to win two back-to-back regular-season titles,” said Hemmings, whose Cavaliers will play host to Georgia Highlands today at noon in the second round of the Region 17 baseball tournament.

“Those guys reflect the kind of talent we have here.”

Martin and Beasley have been the team’s top pitchers this season. The left-handed Martin boasts a 1.34 ERA in 71 innings. He is 4-4 with two saves and has allowed just 24 earned runs. He has struck out 39. He said signing with Louisville was a blessing.

“I just got lucky,” Martin said. “And I’m thankful for it.”

Beasley is 8-3 in 71 1/3 innings. He has a 1.11 ERA, walked just 16 and struck out 58. The former Toombs County standout caught the attention of several scouts early in the season when the Cavaliers played a handful of perennial Florida junior college powers.

“It was because of the pro scouts,” Beasley said of heading to Clemson. “I’m going to go over (to Clemson) and keep working hard.”

Huggins ranks as one of the team leaders with a .367 average. He has 14 doubles and 40 RBIs, but his glove and fielding rank as one of the best in the conference.

“I’m thankful Georgia State happened to offer me,” Huggins said. “I hate it was so long, but it was worth it.”

Goberdhan established himself as the midweek starter and after missing most of last season with an injury, the left-hander returned stronger. In 59 2/3 innings, the former Cook standout is 5-1 with a 1.43 ERA.

“Armstrong is a great school,” he said. “I like how they run their program. It was a good fit for me.”

After rooming with Beasley for the past two seasons, Martin said it will be strange to play against his former teammate. But he’s excited about the challenge.

“Obviously, I hope we both do well,” Martin said. “But I just hope my teams wins.”