McCallie baseball program has three Power Five signees

Staff file photo by Patrick MacCoon / McCallie's Hudson Calhoun is greeted by head coach Tim Costo after hitting a home run during the TSSAA Division II-AA state tournament this past May. Calhoun was one of four players for the reigning state champions who announced their college baseball destinations Wednesday.
Staff file photo by Patrick MacCoon / McCallie's Hudson Calhoun is greeted by head coach Tim Costo after hitting a home run during the TSSAA Division II-AA state tournament this past May. Calhoun was one of four players for the reigning state champions who announced their college baseball destinations Wednesday.

McCallie School's baseball program has had a lot to celebrate this year.

That continued Wednesday, when several of the players who helped propel the Blue Tornado to a storybook TSSAA Division II-AA state championship in May put pen to paper in the form of letters of intent on the first day of the NCAA's early signing period in several sports for the class of 2023.

With a final prep season still ahead for its seniors, the McCallie baseball program is already assured of one of its strongest signing classes in history, including a trio of Power Five conference signees: Hudson Calhoun (Ole Miss), Olin Johnson (North Carolina) and Grayson Smith (Florida). Wednesday's celebration also included Sebastian Leinberger, who will continue his playing career just up the road at Sewanee, a Division III program and Southern Athletic Association member.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Smith is ranked as the No. 39 right-handed pitcher for the class of 2023 by Perfect Game, and he was clocked at 95 mph last month. The first 2023 signee for the Gators — they won the College World Series five years ago and have seven Southeastern Conference tournament titles — he went 6-2 overall with a 1.67 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings this past spring for McCallie.

"I was a catcher growing up, and mostly a hitter," Smith said. "I liked pitching, but I couldn't throw it over the plate. But when I started playing for the Georgia Scorpions (select team), my coach Heath Phillips converted me into more of a primary pitcher. He really taught me a lot and helped me develop a love for the craft of pitching.

"Now there is nothing I love more than going out there and competing on the mound."

Calhoun dominated at the Spring Fling on the way to the Blue Tornado's third baseball state championship. During the state tournament, the 6-foot-4, 180-pounder went 7-for-10 with a home run and three RBIs and scored five runs, the last on a headfirst slide into home plate to beat Lipscomb Academy 14-13 in the title game.

Calhoun batted .372 with three home runs and 22 RBIs in 86 at-bats as a designated hitter for the season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. He is back to 100% health, and his 92 mph fastball is expected to help the rotation in the spring before joining the Rebels, who won the College World Series this past summer in Omaha, Nebraska.

"This signing day means a lot to me. A year ago, I didn't even know if I would play again or be the same," Calhoun said. "It's been my childhood dream to get to this moment. I am super grateful to all the trainers, my parents and to God for giving me this opportunity to sign with Ole Miss. I grew up a big fan of them. It's really cool they won it all this year and so did we."

Johnson came to McCallie after he played with Calhoun and Smith for the Georgia Scorpions. The 6-foot-6 right-hander dominated in his first season with McCallie as he threw three straight complete games in the postseason, totaling 27 strikeouts in that stretch. Johnson led the team with seven wins overall and had a 1.77 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings.

Unlike Calhoun and Smith, he is headed for the Atlantic Coast Conference instead of the SEC, but he sees big things ahead for the Tar Heels, too.

"It's great competing with the guys here," said Johnson, whose top speed so far is 91 mph. "We all push each other to get to the next level, and today we are one step closer to our dreams of playing in the big leagues. UNC is a dominant program. They won the ACC last year, and I feel like they are going to win it all in Omaha soon."

Leinberger, a shortstop, was also a key player in the title run as he produced all around the diamond, helping turn 11 double plays in the field, hitting .296 with 10 extra-base hits and stealing 10 bases.

McCallie also had a Division I signee in golf as Charles Warren chose Southern Conference member Wofford. In his final two seasons, he finished in the top 10 at the state tournament twice.

Other players from around the area who announced their college destinations Wednesday:

Baylor — Lillie Boggs (Kentucky, swimming), Evie Culbreath (North Carolina, track), Sam Flack (N.C. State, swimming), Henry Ford (Virginia, baseball), Elli Kinney (College of Charleston, volleyball), Josean Massuco (Michigan, swimming), Bella Nenadov (UCLA, rowing), Katie Raper (North Carolina State, softball), Morgan Sharpe (Western Kentucky, softball), Caroline Schenck (Lafayette, swimming).

Cleveland — Jasen Brooks (University of California San Diego, basketball), Addison Hurst (South Alabama, volleyball).

East Hamilton — Reese Knox (Eastern Kentucky, softball).

GPS — Kennedy Ball (Arkansas, soccer), McKamey Bratcher (University of Alabama in Huntsville, softball), Margaret Cover (Washington and Lee, field hockey), Sophie Cover (Washington and Lee, field hockey), Isabella Jenkins (Tennessee Wesleyan, softball), Emma McDonald (Kansas, rowing), Reagan Ziegler (Georgetown, lacrosse).

Notre Dame — Alec Bouchard (Wofford, baseball), Chance Mahon (UM Dearborn, lacrosse), Kelley Murphy (Belmont-Abbey, lacrosse), Tori Soutuyo (Tennessee Tech, soccer).

Ooltewah — Chance Underwood (East Tennessee State, track and cross country).

Whitwell — Addison Beason (Chattanooga State, softball), Ava Layne (Cleveland State, softball).

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

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