Sports Editor

Edgewood pitcher Philip Powell worked just two innings against Pike Liberal Arts on Thursday in the Wildcats’ 9-2 win.

But that was enough.

Powell faced seven batters and struck out four, setting the Patriots up early for a rough day when it came to hitting the ball. So far this season the senior left hander has totalled 30 strike outs in just 15 innings pitched .

Those are impressive numbers and Pike County can look forward to seeing more of Powell, considering the Wildcats’ top pitcher has made a verbal commitment to play baseball for Troy State next year.

Official signing day for high school seniors is April 9th, but Powell doesn’t see himself having a change of heart between now and then.

" Coach (Rod) McWhorter showed interest in me back last summer and that’s really what caught my eye," said Powell. "It’s been my dream ever since I knew there was college baseball to play college baseball."

Powell said a few junior colleges, such as Lurleen B. Wallace and Central Alabama Community College, showed interest in his ability, but he chose rather to make his way to Troy and become part of a Division 1A baseball program.

Edgewood head baseball coach Terry Adkins said Powell doesn’t shy away from competition.

"First and foremost he’s (Powell) a competitor," said Adkins. "He gets people out. He’s got three pitches that he throws for strikes and when he gets ahead of the count he’s got a really nice change up and breaking ball. I’m sure that’s what Coach (John) Mayotte is looking for – guys that just want to play hard and compete."

Powell credits a former all-star team assistant coach for showing him that he had the potential to play at the collegiate level.

"When I was 14 a man named Mike Dismukes really worked with me," he said. "That’s when I really started to develop my fundamentals and everything just started coming together. After that, I started putting a lot of work in during the offseason and in the bullpen."