FROM STAFF REPORTS

Oak Mountain pitcher Byron Kelley, 6-foot, 200-pounds, recently signed an NCAA National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.

Kelley compiled an 8-3 record in his high school career and allowed just three earned runs his senior season through 51.1 innings, setting his ERA at 0.41. He had 54 strikeouts and only nine walks as he limited opponents to a .180 batting average. Offensively, Kelley hit .341 for his career.

“Byron is a young man that has huge potential on the mound,” said Harding head coach Dr. Patrick McGaha. “He already has a plus change-up and great control with his fastball. Byron had an outstanding senior season, dominating at one of the highest classifications in Alabama.”

Kelley was an All-State and All-County selection. He is one of seven players Harding has signed for 2009