ROBERTSDALE—Austin Pittman signed scholarship papers July 2 at Robertsdale High School to attend Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia this fall.

Pittman played three years of varsity ball for the Golden Bears and coach Kevin Raley with most of his defensive time in the field at first base. But the 6-3, .350 career righthanded slugger’s main strength is hitting and he is now ready to challenge collegiate pitching.

“I liked LBW a lot,” he said. “I liked all the coaches and players that I met and the campus. And they do have a pretty good team,” he added with a grin.

In fact, the LBWCC Saints finished second in the nation in 2009 in the NJCAA Division II National Championship game falling 5-3 to Grand Rapids, Mich.

“I know I have to work hard to get into the line up.” he said. “Most of their starters are coming back, but I’m excited to be a part of such a good team.”

Raley said Pittman is one of the hardest working players he has ever coached.

“He deserves it. Austin has really worked hard ever since we brought him up as a tenth-grader. He knew we needed him to hit for us in the middle of the order and he really came through and has progressed each year.

“He has a great work ethic and real love of the game. He’s also a great leader for us and a great student and we’re going to miss him. They are getting a very good hitter now, but he is only going to get better. With a little more strength and weight training he can be a very effective power hitter.”

Pittman said he fell in love with the sport on the Tee-Ball diamond and always knew he would take his passion to play it as far as possible.

“I’ve played baseball my whole life and really enjoy it. I’m not ready to give it up just now and I’m looking forward to playing it at the next level. I just love it.”

He also said there were some people he needed to thank.

“I want to thank coach Raley and coach (Jody) Levens for helping me to play this caliber ball and of course my parents, my brother Cody and all my grandparents. They have always supported me and been there for me.”

Pittman plans to major in pre-dentistry.