Two Petal Panthers signed their LOI to further their baseball careers in front of a large crowd today.
Josh Cary signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College while Matt Mercer signed to play at Pearl River Community College.
Second-year head baseball coach Shane Kelly was proud of both young men and their accomplishments of furthering their athletic career.
"Both guys work hard in the off-season and that's where it starts. Matt's been such a great leader for us and Josh has grown over the past year or two and has developed into that type of role also. I expect big things out of both of them this year. They'll both be pitching on the mound, and both bat well. I think we will see good things out of both of them."
Kelly also discussed both players playing four years together, to playing for rival teams at the JUCO level.
"I think they'll compete well against each other and have some good times over the next two seasons competing against one another."
It's such a great day and opportunity. I can't wait to officially get there [Pearl River]. Josh and I have always been good friends so I can't wait for the match-up at the next level," said Mercer.
Mercer has totaled 34 hits, 28 RBI’s, and has a .286 batting average. In his junior season, he posted a 2.78 ERA.
Cary, who holds a career 3.72 ERA with 38 strikeouts, talked about what it meant to him to sign on with Mississippi Gulf Coast.
"It's always been a dream of mine since I was little. Now that it's happening it means a lot to me. I've worked hard for it since I was young, and now that it is happening it is almost unreal."
Cary also discussed that he expects Mercer to bring his best just like he will when the two potentially face-off in their JUCO careers.
“We are still going to be friends, but when we are on the field we have to give it our best for our teams and against one another. If I’m pitching I have to strike him out, but I know he will try to get it over. That’s how it is and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Both players look to be key pieces as Petal looks towards the 2020 season.
