Edwards joining rising Lion program (July 14, 2019)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mike Hutchens Peyton(’s) place will be at Freed-Hardeman University.
UNION CITY SCHOOLS
Communications Director
Peyton Edwards — the ace lefthander of Union City High School’s program the past two seasons — signed scholarship papers Friday to continue his baseball-playing career and education at the NAIA college in Henderson.
Edwards, who compiled a sparkling 24-3 record with 216 strikeouts and a sparkling 1.67 earned run average during his last three years as a Golden Tornado, will join a Lion program that is coming off back-to-back 47-win seasons and two trips to the NAIA World Series.
He chose FHU after visiting Murray (Ky.) State University and also drawing recruiting interest from junior college power Rend Lake, Roane State, Volunteer State and Columbia.
Edwards and the Lion staff appeared to hit it off immediately after a throwing session back in January.
“He really did a lot of good things ... really filled up the strike zone,” Freed-Hardeman assistant coach Jess Trask said. “We didn’t ask him to do a lot, but what he did do, he did very well.
“He’s a high-quality kid from a top-quality program. We really like his coach (Cole McAdams) and feel like he’s going to be able to step in and develop and be a contributor for us to go along with what we already have in our program.”
For his part, Edwards was comfortable immediately on the Henderson campus.
“It’s small and it’s easy to get around. And it’s just close enough to home and just far enough away,” he grinned.
“They have good academics and obviously a really good baseball program here, too. Back-to-back World Series trips, a lot of wins, and guys getting the opportunity to play in the pros, that says a lot.”
Edwards will join a program headed by American Midwest Conference and ABCA Regional Coach of the Year Jonathan Estes, and a pitching staff that includes Alex Huey, the AMC Pitcher of the Year and a honorable mention All American last season as a freshman.
The chance to contribute to the immediate future of the Lions will apparently be there for the taking for Edwards as well, according to both player and Trask.
“We play a lot of innings and a lot of scrimmages and games in the fall. That’s when we make our evaluations on who will help us in the spring,” Trask said. “If Peyton continues to have the success he’s had and makes the strides we believe he will, I think we could utilize him as early as next spring.”
That’s just fine with Edwards, he said he’d prefer to pitch immediately.
Edwards certainly filled the billing of staff ace for UCHS in his high school career. He was adept at getting key strikeouts and pitching to contact, backed by solid defense.
He listed being the starting and winning pitcher in Union City’s first state tournament appearance in 23 years his junior season as his top prep memory.
“I feel like Peyton is certainly capable ability-wise to step up to the challenge of the next level and play for a really good college baseball program,” Union City head coach Cole McAdams said. “He wants the ball in big-game situations, and he’s measured up to every challenge presented to him.
“They (FHU) are getting a good one. He is a hard worker and dedicated to the game and everything he has accomplished is because of his hard work and the time he puts in. We’re certainly going to miss him, but we’re excited to get the chance to see him pitch at the next level.”
Edwards has taken a break from summer travel ball competition this year for the first time since his freshman campaign, choosing to let his arm rest while strengthening it and the rest of his body with four daily workouts per week.
“I’ve wanted to play college baseball since my sophom*ore year,” he said. “It’s been my goal and Coach McAdams has put me on a good path, I believe. I want to be rested and strong for when I report to Freed in August.”
Edwards, who said he plans to major in law and/or politics, is the son of Angie and Jarod Carr and Steve Edwards.
Posted on July 15, 2019
