The Rogersville Review

CHURCH HILL - Dylan Christian became the third member of this year's Volunteer Falcons to commit to play baseball at the college level.

Christian signed a letter of intent Thursday to play for the Carson-Newman Eagles.

A three-year starter for Volunteer Coach Travis Free, Christian will begin as a walk-on.

"It's always good to have kids get to go on to the next level," said Free. Falcons Dylan Frazier and Tyler Hutson have both already agreed to play at Milligan College next year.

"They said depending on how I develop, I could become a middle or late reliever the first couple of years," Christian said. How well he develops could lead to the offering of a scholarship.

Last summer, he played for C-N Assistant Coach Charlie Monroe, who was coaching Pro Concepts, a traveling team made up mostly of juniors from the Tri-Cities and Knoxville regions. Christian, who went 8-1-2 for Pro Concepts, liked Monroe's coaching style and C-N's setting.

"I liked the atmosphere and the coaches. I got to see a couple of their practices over the fall. I really like the way they coordinate everything. Also, they're a pretty good team. They were 43-17 last year," Christian said.

"I believe I've got the capability of being a good pitcher at the college level, once I get with a good pitching coach. They're going to have some great players behind me, defensively and offensively," he said, then mentioning areas he needs to improve.

"I know I need to be more of a leader," he said. "I need to work on that. I'd also like to work on my changeup. It's not been the best. It needs to improve."

"Dylan's one of those kids who's a very hard worker. He always works to be perfect in all areas," Free said. "After his sophomore season, he really turned it up working hard on his pitching, going to camps, playing on the summer league team.

"He's a much better pitcher now and he's going to get the opportunity to go down to Carson-Newman and have a chance to play," said Free, adding that Christian is a joy off the diamond, as well. "Dylan's GPA is among the tops in his class. His A.C.T. scores are up there very high.

"He's very successful in the classroom. That's going to make him very successful inlife," Free said.

"He has a very good head on his shoulders. It's going to take some hard work. But as hard as he works on the baseball field, I think that's going to benefit him the rest of his life," Free said.

"He's a good kid. I enjoy him and I'm going to miss him."

Christian, who plans to major in biology and become a dentist, was joined at Thursday's press conference by Free, parents Steve and LaDonna, grandmothers Irene Wallace and Marie Chappell, and girlfriend Ariel Dye.

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