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Brandon Magruder signs to play baseball for Roane
Blue Ridge baseball player Brandon Magruder has signed to play for Roane State Community College in Harriman, Tenn.
By doing so, Magruder is fulfilling a dream he has had since he started playing Little League.
Blue Ridge’s Brandon Magruder has signed to play baseball for Roane State Community College. On hand for the signing were, from left: his mother, Debi Magruder; grandmother, Linda Belcher; and Blue Ridge Coach Jim Nichols.
“I’ve always wanted to play college ball, and now I’ve got the opportunity to go on and play baseball,” he said.
Magruder also considered Brevard and Georgia Perimeter before settling on Roane State.
“I like the school and the educational opportunities they offer,” he said. “I think the baseball team is going to be pretty good. Most of the players are going to be new.”
Magruder played his first three seasons at Smoky Mountain before transferring to Blue Ridge and helping the Bobcats to the state 1-A semifinals.
He was 4-2 on the mound this past season and struck out 46 batters in 32 innings.
At the plate, Magruder led the Bobcats with six home runs. He batted .273 with 23 RBIs.
“I’ll have to work hard in the off-season, but I feel like I’m ready to play at the next level,” he said.
Blue Ridge Coach Jim Nichols said Magruder was a big asset to the Bobcats in Little Smoky Mountain Conference play as he posted a pitching record of 3-0.
“I think this was his best chance,” Nichols said of Magruder’s decision to sign with Roane State. “He wants to play a lot, and I think he will get that opportunity. Brandon loves every aspect of the game. I think he’ll do really well there, and I’m looking forward to watching him.”
Roane State is primarily interested in Magruder as a pitcher although he could play some infield, most likely third base, according to Nichols.
“We’re in a rebuilding year, and we need pitchers,” Roane State Coach Larry Works said. “He’s not a guy who throws real hard, but he keeps the ball down. That’s what we’re looking for. He keeps it low and gets ground balls. I think he has a good chance of pitching a lot and pitching well for us.”
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