Seniors leave legacy at HHS, take lessons to college

The Homewood baseball team had standout 2013 season. Behind their senior leaders, the Patriots finished the season with a 23-4 record.

For six of Homewood’s seniors, their final campaign as Patriots has been a tune-up for their college careers.

Brian Browning, Luke Porter, Conner Rivers, Mason Schoettlin and Wesley Walker have all signed scholarships to play baseball at the collegiate level; Will Alfano will continue his career as a walk-on player at either Chipola College or Chattahoochee Valley Community College.

“This is one of the hardest working groups of seniors I’ve ever had,” head coach Dough Gann said. “They love the game, talk the game and think the game. Their work’s paid off for them.”

The five signed Patriots will take their talents to Birmingham-Southern (Walker), Calhoun Community College (Rivers), Lawson State (Schoettlin), Northwest Florida State College (Browning) and Wallace State (Porter).

The Patriots were 21-1 before dropping two straight late in the season. Homewood’s run included four wins at a tournament in Orlando. over spring break. They also posted a 5-1 mark in Class 5A, Area 9 play.

“The Orlando tournament was great,” Schoettlin said. “It was one of my best memories with Homewood.”

Homewood seniors said they feel very prepared for their next baseball endeavors. A large part of their confidence comes from the structured practice Gann instills for the Patriots.

“When we come out here, practice is well-organized,” Porter said. “There’s a purpose for what we’re working on, and we do good stuff out here.”

Many of the senior players have been playing baseball together since age five, Alfano said. He and Gann credit Homewood’s success in part to the team’s closeness.

Although Homewood’s six college-bound seniors are looking forward to continuing their careers, the final step for the Patriots is to secure a state title. Their quest to capture the school’s first-ever state title began April 19 with a 2-1 series win against Sylacauga.

“We have to come out here and work every day,” Porter said. “That’s been our goal from day one.”