Milligan College SPORTS NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Brinn, (423) 461-8980
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Shealy leaving mark at Milligan

By Trey Williams
Press Sports Writer

MILLIGAN COLLEGE — Recruiting season had all but come and gone when Danny Clark got the Milligan baseball coaching job four years ago. Still, he managed to sign what has become one of the best players in the program’s history.

Scott Shealy is winding down his senior year this week in the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament (Milligan has already qualified for next week’s NAIA Region XII tournament in Louisville). You might say he’s been on a tear ... for four years.

Along with a career batting average of .378, the Unicoi County alumnus has set school records for career hits (262), runs (180), doubles (43) and stolen bases with 58. He also owns single-season records for hits with 82 (when he hit. 398 in 2002) and base-on-balls (41) in 2001.

All of this from a guy who was probably going to have to pay to play somewhere if Clark’s predecessor, Tom Phillips, hadn’t quit in the middle of the 1999 season.

“Carson-Newman talked to me a little bit and Montreat called a couple of times,” Shealy said. “Coach Clark, I guess, is the only one that really wanted me. It was already the middle of the summer by then.”

Clark didn’t see Shealy as a longshot.

“I knew he could play,” Clark said. “I signed him the day after I took the job. His numbers are kind of mind-boggling. Shealy’s just a natural hitter.

“He’s done it in the classroom too. He’s got like a 3.5 GPA in Business Management. Scott comes from a solid family and he’s been a pleasure to have.”

Shealy isn’t certain where he would’ve played if Clark hadn’t ended up at Milligan. Is it possible a player with his numbers wouldn’t have ever gotten the chance to be an everyday player at the college level?

“I would’ve tried to play somewhere,” Shealy said. “I just have no clue where. I would’ve probably tried to walk on somewhere.”

Shealy has been an All-AAC player three straight years. Along with Clark and former Unicoi County coach Charlie Baxter, Shealy might be the only other person who isn’t surprised by that fact.

Baxter thought enough of Shealy to start him as a freshman, something he wasn’t fond of doing. Shealy’s entire senior postseason seemed to be “clutch” as he helped the Blue Devils reach the state semifinals.

“I hoped I could be (that caliber of player in college),” Shealy said. “I thought I could.”

Shealy literally grew up as the rich Unicoi tradition did. He went to state tournaments, and loosely can attach names like Anthony Whitson, Will Edwards or Steve Treadway with images that helped mold his passion for the sport.

As it was, his sophomore season was Charlie Baxter’s final year.

“Everybody knows who (Baxter) is,” Shealy said. “There’s such a big interest in playing baseball in Erwin. I thought I was very lucky even if I only got to play for him through my sophomore year.”

He realizes this could be the midnight hour for his competitive playing career. Once again, no interest is circulating from the next level. The next call with a wooden-bat league invitation will be the first.

“I’m not sure why,” Shealy said. “I would like try it.”

He wouldn’t mind some explanation of why he’s seemingly been written off, but he won’t anguish over it extensively if this is the end of his basepath.

“I don’t really have a clue (what the knock on me is),” said Shealy, who’s become especially tight with fellow seniors Ben Whittemore and Matt Simmons through the years at Milligan. “It doesn’t really matter. I’ve had fun playing and I’d just like to thank (Clark) for believing in me. He was the one who actually came after me and gave me the chance. I’m thankful for that.”

Milligan ended up in the losers bracket Wednesday morning despite three hits, three RBIs and a walk from Shealy. His hustle out of the box to beat out a ground ball to lead off the ninth provided a clear view of his speed and desire. Milligan has finished runner-up in this event twice during Shealy’s career.

“It’d be nice to win it,” Shealy said. “We’ve finished second twice and it’s hard to win one. You have to have a lot of pitching. But I think we’ve got a chance.”

Which was all Shealy ever needed.

(Staff Photo by Tony Duncan)

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About Milligan College

Milligan College is a private Christian liberal arts college in Northeast Tennessee, nationally recognized for its commitment to excellence in academic, social and spiritual development. The college has consistently been named one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit www.milligan.edu or call 423.461.8719.

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