By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – One of the most accomplished members of the Thompson High School baseball team will be continuing his career at the next level, as he inked a scholarship with the Wallace State Lions on Jan. 11.

Breydon Edmondson signed with the college during the ceremony in the THS Performing Arts Center while supported by family members, coaches from THS and Wallace, teammates and school leaders.

“I’ve seen Breydon since he was playing with the Outlaws (youth league team). Starting out, he was only 6 years old, and he has progressed as an athlete over that time. He could always hit, but now he has developed into a really good catcher,” said THS head baseball coach Pat Hamrick. “He’s been a two-year starter for us, and (Wallace State head baseball) coach (Randy) Putman is going to get a quality catcher and also a quality person. We’re going to miss him after this year, but I know with coach Putman he’ll continue to progress and develop into a really great baseball player.”

During his two years starting for the THS varsity team, Edmondson has recorded 223 plate appearances, 191 at-bats, 58 hits, 15 doubles, five triples, 44 RBIs and has compiled a .303 batting average. During the 2018 season, he pitched 35.2 innings. He will start for the Warriors again this baseball season.

Putman said he is looking forward to Edmondson’s arrival in Hanceville, and encouraged his teammates to continue to support him after graduation.

“I feel like we’ve got a long tradition at Wallace where we’ve had quite a bit of success, and you need these kind of guys right here, not only good ball players but good students to continue that success that we’ve had,” Putman said. “We’re really excited about getting him, and it’s close enough that you guys, after he graduates, can come up and see him play. I’m looking forward to coaching him for two years.”