HENDERSON, Tenn. - Just because the season is over doesn't mean that some of the Freed-Hardeman Lion baseball players aren't still hitting the diamond this summer.
Several of the Lions' returning players are participating collegiate summer leagues, most notably the Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee (KIT) League and the Tennessee Summer Collegiate Baseball Association.
Three Lions - catcher Leamond Arthur, infielder Josh Reynolds and pitcher Gage Franklin - are teammates on the Fulton Railroaders of the KIT League while a signee, Justin Stout, plays for the Marion Bobcats.
In the TSCBA, infielder Mark Kelley, outfielder Blake Taylor, and pitchers Roman Kelly and Ryan Wood all play for the Nashville Panthers. Pitcher Drew Stofel is part of the Southern Middle Tennessee Wildcats.
Both wood-bat leagues play through the end of July with playoffs beginning on August 1.
"It is exciting having so many of our guys playing at a high level this summer in collegiate leagues. Playing in these leagues gives them more experience at a high level which helps them to develop," said FHU head coach Jonathan Estes. "Being able to have a good summer carries over to the fall in terms of confidence and preparation."
