Pair of PRCC standouts sign with Southern Miss, Alabama

POPLARVILLE -- A pair of sophomore baseball players at Pearl River Community College signed Division I scholarship offers in a ceremony Wednesday at the M.R. White Coliseum.

Right-handed pitcher Jordan Hayes of Taylorsville signed to play for Southern Miss, while shortstop Zachary Clark of Springfield, La., signed with Alabama.

"It's always gratifying to see players go on to the next level," said PRCC coach Josh Hoffpauir. "These are two good kids who have worked hard to get where they are. We've got high expectations for those guys as well as a lot of other guys. Hopefully, we'll have more that get the opportunity to sign."

Hayes was a standout for back-to-back Class 2A state championship teams at Taylorsville High. As a junior in 2013, he was 9-0 with a 1.04 earned-run average, 75 strikeouts and 16 walks in 67 innings.

As a senior in 2014, he was 10-1, with a 0.76 ERA, 106 strikeouts and 15 walks in 64 1/3 innings. Last season as a freshman for the Wildcats, he was 6-3, with a 2.95 ERA, 40 strikeouts and 19 walks in 55 innings.

"They've got a good program over there," said Hayes of the Golden Eagles. "I feel like it's the best place for me. It feels like home."

Clark played sparingly for Southeastern Louisiana this past spring before transferring to PRCC for his sophomore season. As a junior at Springfield High, he batted .538. He played just six games as a senior before going down with a season-ending injury.

"It's always been my goal to go D-1 and play in the SEC," said Clark. "It's a bit of a relief to get this behind me and concentrate on playing baseball and being the best team we can be."

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 1:42 PM with the headline "Pair of PRCC standouts sign with Southern Miss, Alabama ."