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Highlands Today

Streaks' Higgins Commits To SFCC Baseball

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: January 16, 2009

SEBRING - For Sebring's Cody Higgins, walking up to the plate with the game on the line in the district playoffs was more stressful than deciding on where he'll play ball in the fall.

"The decision was pretty easy for me," said Higgins. "After I talked with my parents and Coach Rick Hitt, I knew that I wanted to be a Panther."

The Streaks leadoff hitter made the decision to commit to South Florida Community College and says that he can now concentrate on returning the Sebring baseball team to the state final four.

"This takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders," Higgins said. "I wanted to have a college in place before the season so it wouldn't weigh on my mind and become a distraction for me personally.

"I've seen what Coach Hitt has done with so many other players and after talking with Adam Simmons, I felt it was the right fit."

Higgins, who plays shortstop for the Streaks, batted .351 with two home runs and 20 RBI last season and went 4-1 with 45 strikeouts on the mound.

Hitt believes that Higgins can come in and be an impact player for the Panthers.

"We're excited about Cody choosing South Florida," Hitt said. "We believe he brings an enthusiasm to pay as well as a very solid skill level to our program. We have seen Cody continue to improve over the years and he plays against a quality competition element with the travel clubs he's played on.

"We lose some infielders to graduation this year and I feel that Cody can come in and make an impact right away."

Higgins becomes the seventh commitment for the SFCC baseball program for the 2009-10 season, a list that includes Avon Park's Kyle Jackson.

Another reason for Higgins to choose the Panthers was his desire to play baseball at the highest level possible.

"I know how much Coach Hitt has helped players like Johnny Sedlock and Chaz Abeln and they're moving on to four-year universities," he said. "Plus there is always the chance of having professional scouts looking at you."

Higgins has already picked the brain of many current Panther players on what to expect from Hitt and playing baseball at the junior college level.

"I've already been told to get ready to run more than I ever have during baseball season," Higgins said. "I'm going to really work hard during the summer so I don't go in cold turkey during fall practice.

"I'm real excited about getting to play two high school seasons in two months and know that there will be a transition to go through, but I'm ready for the challenge. But for me, it doesn't get any better than playing baseball everyday."

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com.

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