HHS senior Jake Nelson signs a letter of intent to play baseball for Wallace State Community College. The right-handed pitcher is seated between his parents, Tony and Staci Nelson. Standing, from left, are HHS head baseball coach William Booth, WSCC head baseball coach Randy Putman and HHS assistant baseball coach Bear Whitlock. | Clif Knight

Hartselle High School senior Jake Nelson, a top pitcher for the Hartselle Tigers, signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Wallace State Community College on Friday.

His signing was attended by family members, coaching staff and team players. A reception followed.

“This is a great moment for Jake because he is going to be playing for an excellent head coach and one of the best junior college baseball programs in the state, if not in the entire country,” said Hartselle head baseball coach William Booth.

“Coach Randy Putman took over the Wallace State program a year after I starting coaching in Hartselle,” Booth said. “He contacted me and asked me where the best high school baseball players in North Alabama were and I told him they were in Hartselle. As it turned out, he signed several of our players the next year and they contributed to a team that went on to win a national junior college championship.”

Nelson said he looked at a few other colleges but was drawn to Wallace State because their program looked a lot like Hartselle’s.

“What sold me was their work ethic, tradition and expectations,” Nelson said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to go there and continue my education and baseball career.

“I’m also excited about by senior season here,” he added. “We have good chemistry on our team and the potential to have a special season.”

Nelson is three-year varsity pitcher who compiled a 1.7 ERA as a junior. He is also an excellent student.

“He was our number one pitcher last year and will be again this year,” said Booth. “Baseball is very important to him and his work ethic is unbelievable. He is also an excellent student and is going to be a success at the college level.”

“We’re excited about signing Jake and having him and his family in our program,” Putman said. “Last year, we signed several pitcher who are now sophomores. This year we’re bringing in several freshmen pitchers. You’re invited to drive down and see him pitch.”