NEW HOPE — Everything lucked out for New Hope junior Caiden Chain as the Trojans went to play West Point at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba on March 23.
With the Green Wave undergoing renovations to its baseball stadium, the team entered an agreement with the Lions to play the first part of their home games at Gerald Poole Field.
The Trojans came out with a 13-2 win in five innings that night, with Chain showing out, a three-hit night and two RBIs.
His offensive display caught the eye of Lions assistant coach Chase Reeves, who offered him a scholarship on the spot. On Monday, Chain announced his commitment to EMCC on social media.
“I was really excited,” Chain said. “The facilities there are amazing. The field is all turf. It’s beautiful. Brand-new locker rooms. Coach Reeves is so awesome too. It’s just great.”
This season, Chain is batting .390 with a .531 on-base percentage and a .938 OPS for New Hope.
On the bus ride home from Scooba, other than the run-rule victory, his offer was the talk of the team.
“I think what really caught their eye was just his speed,” New Hope head coach Lee Boyd said. “He runs so well. … He’s a really versatile player. He’s been an infielder his entire life, played a lot of middle infielder and to fit our team this year, we tried to move him to the outfield. He’s been our center fielder every day. He’s done a great job transitioning.”
Chain’s ability to get on base and make things happen has been key, with 18 walks, 20 runs scored and 24 stolen bases on the year.
Since his playing career began, he’s had aspirations of playing at the next level, but it wasn’t until receiving that offer that those aspirations had a sense of reality.
“I always thought it was possible but I didn’t know how sure I was about it,” Chain said. “I felt like EMCC just checked off all of the boxes.”
New Hope has seen a number of Trojans going to play at the next level and beyond, and Chain will be the next to add his name to the list.
“It’s amazing,” Chain said. “I’m very proud of coming from New Hope. To be part of the people, to be part of that group, it’s like tradition. New Hope has produced so many great college athletes and I’m proud to say I’ll be part of that group.”
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