By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
SPRINGVILLE – The Springville Tigers baseball team experienced a successful 2023-2024 season, going 30-12, winning 5A Area 11 and making a deep playoff run before the season ended in the semifinals with a loss to Alexandria, the eventual 5A champions.
Three staples on the team, Carter Samuelson (pitcher), Alex Holland (pitcher/center field), and Sean Nichols (catcher), spent this past Friday signing on the dotted line to play at the collegiate level.
Springville’s Sean Nichols on signing day.
Credit: Jonathan Ford
Nichols will be attending Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama as a catcher. “It’s awesome. I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid,” said Sean. “To be able to go with my best friend (Alex Holland), it’s great. All glory to God. Without Him, I couldn’t do any of this. I’m looking forward to freedom and life in a new place and meeting new people.”
Holland will also be attending Marion Military Institute in Marion. He will look to get into the pitching rotation as well as play center field like he did at Springville. “I feel grateful,” said Alex. “I have come a long way. In eighth grade I was having to play on the seventh-grade team. I would be playing the second game of doubleheaders. I lost confidence. So, I’ve come a long way. I wouldn’t rather do this anywhere but Springville. I love coach Ford and the way he does things. How he teaches the game the right way. I am just grateful to be able to sign. My coaches want me to come in and play both ways so that’s the plan.”
Springville’s Alex Holland on signing day.
Credit: Jonathan Ford
Samuelson will be going to UAB as a pitcher. “I am very thankful to be here in this moment and for everyone who has helped me get here,” said Carter. “I am just very happy and blessed that they were there for me. I am looking forward to being able to succeed and moving forward in my baseball career and reaching my ultimate dream of making it to the highest level.”
Tiger head coach Jonathan Ford said the following about this group of young men, “For me, it is always a special day when you see young men reach gold. They have been working so hard for this. I have had the privilege of watching these boys mature physically, mentally, and as leaders. In baseball, you have to be strong up the middle in order to be successful. These three guys are straight up the middle. Sean, our catcher, is the glue that holds it all together. He receives and blocks as well as anyone with his quick release. His toughness is irreplaceable. Alex is our number two pitcher, had a 6-2 record last year with a 1.24 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 50 innings. He also controls center field and gets amazing jumps and reads at the position. He batted .316 and had 28 RBI last year. Carter is our number one pitcher. He finished 9-2 with a .829 ERA. He had 80 strikeouts in 71 innings to go with two individual no-hitters and one combined.”
Ford continued, “All of these guys will be greatly missed. I am just thankful they get to be Springville Tigers for another year. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for each of them.”
The Tigers look to build on last year’s success when they open the season in March.
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