Published: July 01, 2009 11:00 pm      

Erwin joins mates at Milligan

Three’s company seems to be the theme of the summer, at least for six athletes from area schools.

Last month, Northwest Whitfield’s Hunter Keener, Zane McDade and J.T. Meadows said they will attend LaGrange College and play golf. Now Dalton pitcher John Erwin has joined Catamounts teammates Garren Palmer and Beau Blackwood at Milligan College, in Johnson City, Tenn., to play baseball.

The 6-foot-5-inch Erwin, who has a fastball that tops out in the mid-to-high 80s and a knee-buckling curveball, will attend the NAIA school, which competes in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, on a combination athletic-academic scholarship.

Last season, the Buffaloes finished 25-26 overall and 8-10 in the AAC under coach Nathan Meade.

“This is great,” Erwin said. “I’ve always wanted to play college baseball my whole life, so it’s going to be fun.”

After Palmer signed with the Tigers in December, he knew the team was looking to bolster its pitching staff, so he told Milligan coaches about Erwin. After watching him pitch in a few games, Erwin was invited to visit the school. After his visit, which included a bullpen session, the Tigers’ coaching staff liked what it saw and within a week made Erwin an offer that he accepted.

Erwin said he also received offers from Tennessee Wesleyan and Cleveland State, and had been contacted by a number of other schools.

In his senior season with the Cats, Erwin went 5-0 with 45 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings while walking 15 batters, giving up 52 hits and posting a 3.55 ERA.

Cats coach Bobby Brotherton is happy for his former player.

“This is a super thing for John,” Brotherton said. “He’s a big kid with a lot of upside. He’s got the ability to run it up to the high 80s and he’s a good kid.”

Erwin has already started working out with his future Tigers teammates Palmer and Blackwood, whether it be in the gym or on the field. He said it’s like old times when they practice, with Erwin pitching to Blackwood and Palmer catching.

Erwin said the three will room together at Milligan, which will make the transition from high school to college a smooth one, Brotherton said.

“It will be a great opportunity for them because now you don’t have to go there the first night and wonder who you’re rooming with,” Brotherton said. “These guys run, fish, play ball and do everything together, so they’ll have someone to lean on. When the coach gets on them, when they have to get up for practice at 5 in the morning, when they have to go study hall, it will be nice for them to lean on each other. It’s going to be a great plus.”

Erwin, a four-year varsity starter who also played basketball his freshman and sophomore seasons, said he hasn’t been told yet what his role on the team will be, or how much time he’ll see on the field.

“It’s going to be just like any other place,” said Erwin, “I’ll have to earn my position.”

Erwin said he plans to work hard to make sure he’s on the mound his freshman season.

“My goal is to get a good amount of innings in,” he said. “I’ll pitch when I can and try to make a good impression.”