By Laura Clark/Shelbyville Sentinel News

Front- Tre Bailey, Corey Williams, Taylor Boone

Back- Matt Purdom, Eric Standafer, John Hunter

SHELBYVILLE- Five Rockets baseball players joined the long list of athletes from the class of 2010 to continue their sport at the next level.

Matthew Purdom, Taylor Boone, John Hunter, Trey Bailey and Eric Standafer were honored in a ceremony preceeding the baseball team’s year-end banquet Tuesday at SCHS.

“They’re a wanted commodity,” Rocket Coach Bart Roettger said, adding how fun it was to be bombarded by college recruiters. “We truly were a family in this last year.”

The five join another graduate, pitcher Corey Williams (St. Catharine College), in their intent to play baseball at the college level, signifying what was a strong group of seniors that led Shelby County (26-11) to district and regional titles this season. The Rockets lost to West Jessamine in the first round of the state tournament.

“They’re a reflection of the season right here,” Athletic Director Sally Zimmerman said. “It’s been a special season.”

Standafer to Bellarmine

Standafer signed a letter of intent to play for Bellarmine College, a Division II school. He was recruited as a first baseman but will also have an opportunity to pitch.

Standafer won five games, and he led the Rockets with 44 hits and knocked in 27 runs. He could be a designated hitter at times, too.

“Eric will go down in Shelby County history for several things,” Roettger said.

Standafer has had more than 12 doubles for the past three years. He’s also had more than 25 RBIs the last two years. This season he earned honors by being named to the all-state second team.

“It’s been fun watching him grow,” Roettger said. “I think I got on him for being so quiet. He even had an explanation this year – I didn’t know how to handle it.”

Standafer said Roettger prepared him for college by putting together a tough schedule that always included several of the top teams in the state. Out of several schools interested in him, Standafer chose Bellarmine for the academics and opportunity to play as a freshman.

“Right away I’m just trying to come in and help the team out in any way, whether its pitching or playing first base,” he said.

Bailey, Hunter to Georgetown

Bailey, a left-handed pitcher, signed a letter of intent to play for Georgetown College. He won three games this year and had an earned-run average of 2.14.

“This is a guy that lives for pitching,” Roettger said. “[He] has great movement on his fastball.”

Bailey admits he wasn’t very serious about baseball when he came into his sophomore season, which was Roettger’s first year at SCHS. But Roettger pushed him, and it was just what he needed. By his senior year, Bailey had developed an off-season work ethic that had him prepared for the demands of the 2010 schedule.

“When the season came, I came out of the pen and threw one to two innings and did well,” Bailey said. “Pretty much all season was like that.”

Bailey said he was drawn to Georgetown for its rigorous academics and solid baseball program. He hopes to be able to contribute immediately. But regardless of whether he’s pitching or not, Bailey hopes to be a leader in building team unity.

“We played as a team [as SCHS]. I want to carry that on to Georgetown,” he said. “Be honest with each other and work hard.”

Hunter said Georgetown recruited him to catch or play the infield. He was one of the Rockets’ top hitters and slugged a walk-off home run against Anderson County to win the district tournament this season.

Roettger said he thought he was taking a risk putting Hunter in the lineup as a sophomore.

“He’s made me look good ever since,” Roettger said. “If he’s struggling, he won’t hesitate to get in the cage or take ground balls.”

All that hard work paid off for Hunter, who said it has given him the confidence to be an impact player immediately at Georgetown.

“I had a really great senior season so I’ll be able to go in there with some confidence,” Hunter said. “I played probably 30 or 40 games this summer. I’m prepared to go in for fall ball and see what I can do.”

Boone to St. Catharine

Boone, a right-handed pitcher, signed to play for St. Catharine College. He won six games this year, including against top-20 teams Tates Creek and Western Hills. But what Roettger said was more important was the way he epitomized everything a captain and baseball player should be.

“He’s a dirtbag to the truest meaning,” Roettger said. “He’s hardnosed. He plays the game with reckless abandon.”

Before his senior season, Boone’s prowess on the mound was tentative at best. He had pitched just five innings as a junior.

“I had no earthly idea I was going to go to college and pitch,” Boone said.

Boone also played third base, and he said he thought that may be the route to college. But St. Catharine recruited him for pitching.

He learned his unique sidearm technique from Western Hills Assistant Coach Eric Grubb last summer. Boone said the many angles from which he can throw will be an asset in college.

“As I grew, my arm grew and I threw a lot harder. It just came together from every angle,” he said.

Boone plans to study criminal justice at St. Catharine.

Purdom heads to Hanover

Purdom, a versatile player, signed with Hanover College after learning how much 2009 SCHS graduate Nick Hamblen liked the school and its baseball program.

Purdom can catch, play first base or outfield or be a designated hitter. He was a leader for SCHS this season with 21 RBIs.

“This year you were asked to do a lot of things,” Roettger told him. “Your team-first attitude will be an asset. You’re going to be a success.”

Roettger said as much as Purdom, a co-captain, contributed to the baseball team, he also received the highest compliment from his classmates by being voted Senior Class President. It’s a testament to his work ethic, Roettger said.

Purdom has also been a leader when it came to his team’s positive outlook. He said learning to never give up was part of what made this season such a success for the Rockets. He’ll carry that same attitude to Hanover.

“As long as I get to play, that’s good. I’ll make the best of it,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to play college baseball and Hanover gave me the opportunity to do that.”