WESSON – Pitcher Alex Smith was surrounded by friends, teammates, family members and coaches Friday afternoon in Wesson High School’s library. They were helping Smith celebrate his scholarship signing ceremony with the Copiah Lincoln Community College Wolfpack. They feasted on pizza and partook in the dessert, a blue and white frosting cake.,

“I’m very excited about signing with Co-Lin,” said Smith, a 6-foot, 170-pound right-hander. “It gives me a chance to play at the next level.”

Smith currently sports a 4-1 pitching record with the Cobras. He also has 1 save to his credit. He relies mainly on three pitches: fastball, changeup and curve. His favorite is a 2-seam fastball.

Asked about his future plans, Smith said he wants to make a career in bio-medical engineering. He is among the top three students in his senior class, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. His favorite subject is science.

“Right now, we want to win a state championship at Wesson,” said Smith.

Asked about his favorite Major League Baseball team, Smith grinned and said the New York Yankees. His favorite player in Yankees superstar Derek Jeter.

Smith also starred on Wesson’s state playoff football team last fall. He played wide receiver and defensive back.

His parents are Ricky and Vanessa Smith. His older sister, Millie Porter, is a 2003 Wesson graduate. She played softball for the Lady Cobras.

Wesson coach Seth Lofton believes Smith has a bright future at Co-Lin. He also played baseball at Co-Lin and later at West Alabama.

“Alex has done a lot for our baseball program,” said Lofton. “He has stepped up and really played some great games for us.”

Smith said he appreciated all the work and instruction time that Lofton and assistant coach Hugh Knight have spent with him. “My dad has always worked with me a lot.”

Co-Lin assistant coach Bryan Nobile said Smith has shown a lot of potential to be successful at the next level. “Alex has progressed year after year. We hope he continues that progress at Co-Lin. He’s very competitive and that’s what we look for in players.”

Nobile and first-year assistant coach Ryne Tutor were present for the scholarship party.

Previously signing with Co-Lin were shortstop Adrian Brown of McComb, right-handed pitcher Newt Brown of Gautier and catcher Blake Talbott of Houma, La. (Vanderbilt Catholic).