Former Charles Henderson standout Luke Hastings realized a childhood dream on Wednesday.

The quiet, 18-year-old infielder signed a scholarship to play baseball at Lawson State Community College in Birmingham.

Hastings was set on joining former teammate Houston Mabray at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia, until a late charge by LSCC.

“ I had looks from quite a few schools,” Hastings said. “LBW was the sure fit, until I visited Lawson State. I fell in love with the place, and decided that it was where I needed to be.”

Hastings patrolled the hot corner for the Charles Henderson Trojans during their run to the 2012 state championship, and also pitched a handful of games during the regular season.

Hastings ended his senior season with an .849 fielding percentage, and knocked in 21 runs at the plate.

The soft-spoken player said that over the course of the summer following his freshman year, he grew over nine inches.

CHHS head coach Derek Irons said he didn’t remember the exact dimensions of Hastings’ growth, but saw the results the next spring.

“I remember him playing some shortstop and third base during his freshman year, and having a little trouble getting the ball over to first,” Irons said with a chuckle. “He came back the next year, taller and stronger, and didn’t have that problem anymore.

Hastings is the fourth player from the 2013 team to advance to play baseball, and Irons says that is a great thing for the program and the younger players on the team.

“I think that it shows the quality of our program here,” Irons said. “It also can serve as motivation for the younger guys to work hard, because they see what can happen if you put in hard work.”

Hastings said that he cherishes the opportunity to continue playing the game he loves.

“It means a lot for other people to see talent in you,” Hastings said. “I have played baseball for a long time, and get to keep doing it for at least a few more years. This was my dream, and now I get to live it.”