By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Kingwood Christian School recently hired two new baseball coaches who have been “plugged into the school’s system” for many years, said KCS Administrator Pastor Benny Cunningham.

In early September, the school hired Andrew Pearce, a 2007 KCS graduate, as its new head baseball coach, and named Frank West as its junior high and junior varsity baseball coach.

“We are mostly excited because they bring so much experience to the table,” Cunningham said. “We think they are going to be a huge asset to our school.”

After graduating from Kingwood, Pearce went on to Millsaps College in Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in education.

At Millsaps, Pearce lettered four years on the school’s baseball team as a relief pitcher, and played quarterback three years with the school’s football team under head coach Mike Dubose.

Pearce also worked at 11 instructional baseball camps at Millsaps for children ages 5 through 18. Pearce played quarterback at Kingwood, where he threw for more than 6,500 yards and 91 touchdowns during his tenure.

Pearce played for the Lions’ basketball and baseball teams for five years, and also ran on the school’s track and field team.

“He has a lot of great coaching experience,” Cunningham said, noting Pearce also serves as an assistant coach for the Kingwood junior varsity and varsity football teams. “He reminds me a lot of Peyton Manning. He’s a student of the game, and we are blessed to have him back in town.”

West has a plethora of experience coaching Alabaster Parks and Recreation youth baseball teams, and recently took a 12-and-under team to the World Series Tournament.

West has also coached football in Arkansas and Mississippi, and has served with the Kingwood junior varsity football team.

“Frank has a son in the program, and has already helped us out a lot,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham said the two coaches will help extend the success of the school’s baseball program.

“We had a good thing going last year, and I think these guys are going to help us take it to the next level,” Cunningham said.