Hinds baseball signs three area standouts
06/18/08 -  Three high school baseball standouts from the Hinds Community College district have inked scholarships to play for the Eagles during the 2008-2009 season.

The three players are Fraser Adams of Brandon, a Madison Ridgeland Academy (MRA) graduate; Matt Cranfield of Vicksburg, a Porter's Chapel Academy graduate; and Malcolm McCoy of Jackson, a Forest Hill High School graduate. Adams is a multi-sport standout who excelled on the diamond and the basketball court for the Patriots, who were Mississippi Private School Association (MPSA) Overall Basketball Champions in 2007 and 2008.

"We feel that Fraser is a great sign for us because of what the future holds for him," said Hinds coach Sam Temple. "He has a long, lean frame and a left-handed arm, and I think that the sky is the limit for him. Fraser projects to be one of our go-to guys for the next two seasons, and with added strength and velocity, could be a major player for us."

Cranfield is also a multi-talented athlete, starring in baseball, basketball and football for the Eagles. He was an All-Star selection in baseball, playing for the South A team in the Mississippi Private School Association (MPSA) All-Star game recently.

"Matt had an outstanding senior season on the mound at PCA," Temple said. "He has very good velocity on his fastball and a nice over-the-top breaking ball that makes him very effective."

McCoy led the Rebels in hitting as a senior and also played both corner infield positions, first and third base.

"Malcolm is a strong athlete who is a powerful hitter," Temple said. "He can play in the infield or outfield and we are looking forward to coaching him because he has a bright future and a good work ethic."