Hinds baseball signs three from Rankin County
05/26/08 -  Three Rankin County high school standouts have signed baseball scholarships with Hinds Community College for the 2008-2009 season.

The three signees are Taylor Bates and Zach Bridges of Pearl High School, and Zach Polzin of Northwest Rankin High School.

Bates, a standout shortstop and hitter, was an integral part of the Pirates successful season in 2008, starring at shortstop and hitting in the three-hole for Pearl.

"Taylor has a lot of athletic ability and can play a number of positions," said Hinds head coach Sam Temple. "He will continue to develop as a hitter and has a very bright future because of his work ethic and his demeanor on the field."

Bridges provided major power for the Pirates all season out of the cleanup spot, as well as shutting down the running game for the opposition as the catcher for Pearl.

"Zach has really come on this season as a hitter and provided a lot of pop in the middle of their lineup," said Temple. "He is very advanced in his catch-and-throw skills, and plays the game the right way."

Polzin was a force in the Cougars' postseason run, hitting three home runs in one game against the archrival Clinton Arrows. Polzin also provided solid defense and leadership behind the plate for Northwest Rankin.

"Zach has great leadership qualities and plays the game very hard-nosed," said Temple. "He really matured as a hitter in the latter half of his senior season, and we feel that his best days offensively are ahead of him."

Bates and Bridges join Pearl High School teammate Stephen Byrd in signing a scholarship with Hinds.

Polzin joins Northwest Rankin teammate Ryan Nance in inking with the Eagles.