Russell signs with Blue Mountain
Thomas Russell of Danville has signed a baseball scholarship with Blue Mountain College. Russell is with BMC coach Curt Fowler. | Special to the Enquirer
Thomas Russell, one of Alabama’s top high school baseball players, has signed a scholarship with Blue Mountain College.
Russell, from Danville was named the 2011 Class 1A-3A Player of the Year by the Decatur Daily, after batting .565 with three home runs, five triples, 20 doubles and 31 runs batted in, his senior season. He had 78 total hits, scored 56 runs and had 13 stolen bases.
“We are blessed to have one of the top players in Alabama join our program,” BMC coach Curt Fowler said. “Thomas had several different options after his outstanding high school days and he chose to come here. We are excited to have a player of his caliber on our team.”
Russell was primarily a catcher his senior season, but he also played second base and has seen time on the mound. Fowler said he’d play a similar role for the Toppers, who finished their inaugural season with a 16-35 record in the NAIA TranSouth Athletic Conference.
“Thomas will see time on the mound, behind the plate and at shortstop and second base,” Fowler said. “He’s an extremely versatile player who will add a lot to our program right away.”
Russell, who earned Alabama honorable mention Class 3A honors in both 2010 and 2011, hit .495 as a junior with one homer, two triples, 11 doubles and 20 RBIs. He had 52 total hits, scored 39 runs and had 21 stolen bases.
