By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Two Priceville High School baseball players who have played together since they were kindergarten students have been given the opportunity to continue their careers as college teammates.
Dustin Chambers, a pitcher/first baseman and Lance Hughes, a pitcher/second baseman signed scholarships to play baseball for Calhoun Community College on March 1. Both started playing baseball on the varsity level as freshmen and are three-year starters. They began their careers as five-year-olds playing T-ball in Priceville's Youth Baseball League.
"They've played ball together since they were in kindergarten and they're best fiends," said Shennell Hughes, Lance's mother. "I'm so happy they're going to be able to stay together in college."
"We're pleased to be able to sign both Dustin and Lance," Calhoun head coach Jim Morrell said. "They're great kids and great players. Plus they come from a successful high school program with great coaches."
A member of the Alabama Community College Conference, Calhoun had a 42-17 baseball record in 2006 and finished third in the conference. Morrell said he expects bigger and better things in the future.
"We have commitments from 15 high school seniors and we've got a good class of freshmen and a 12-1 record at this point in our season," he pointed out.
"I'm proud of both of them. They've worked hard and they're very deserving," Priceville head baseball coach Shane Hopkins said. "Anytime you have a player sign a college scholarship it's going to send a positive message to underclassmen who are striving to improve their game and move it to the next level."
"They are an integral part of our program, as pitchers and infielders, and I expect them to be a big asset to the baseball program at Calhoun as well," he added.