FOLEY, Ala.—Foley Lions pitcher Zach Melton signed Wednesday with Central Alabama Community College (JUCO National Champs). The 6-foot-3 Lion lefty finished last year with a 2.31 ERA, 70 strike outs with just 15 base-on-balls allowed.

He helped lead Foley to a 27-15 record and the second round of the playoffs as a junior.

 "Zach was a great pitcher for us last year and is only going to get better," said Foley head coach Steve Garrett. "He has a great opportunity with CACC to play for a great program that just won a national championship and get even better.

"There are several (four-year) schools that will be following his juco career and look to sign him. I know he is going to have a successful college career. We will surely miss him next year."

The Lions open the 2014 season Feb. 17 in the first round of the Mobile BayBears Classic at the tournament's Fairhope (VOLANTA AVENUE PARK) site against Bayside Academy at 4 p.m.

Mobile BayBears Classic opening-round schedule hosted by Fairhope High School at Volanta Park

  •Monday, Feb. 17: Bayside vs Foley - 4 p.m., Fairhope vs Saraland - 6:30 p.m.

  •Tuesday, Feb. 18:  Saraland vs Bayside - 4 p.m., Fairhope vs Foley - 6:30 p.m.

  •Wednesday, Feb. 19: Foley vs Saraland - 4 p.m., Fairhope vs Bayside - 6:30 p.m. See also: BayBears Classic to field 24 teams