Scotland senior pitcher and infielder Will Adams is no stranger to juggling a jam-packed schedule throughout his student athlete career.
From volunteering his time to Scotland County Parks and Recreation and Optimist Club to fulfilling his Eagle Scouts’ requirements, Adams has managed to balanced a heavy workload. All the while, the Fighting Scots’ standout has remained a member of the National Honor Society and has turned many a head throughout his Fighting Scots’ athletic career.
On Wednesday morning, Adams got the enjoy the culmination of his hard work, as the senior officially signed to play baseball with the Wingate Bulldogs after he concludes his Scotland career.
“I work hard and try my best every single day,” said Adams, who listed the quality of the facilities, school atmosphere and academics as primary reasons for his decision to join the Bulldogs. Adams is also excited to play for head coach Jeff Gregory, a Scotland alumni who also played his high school baseball under former Scots’ coach Tommy Britt.
“I’m extremely excited to attend Wingate, and when I made the decision I felt a lot was taken off my shoulders. I really feel like I fit in at the school,” he said.
Adams is a product of the Scotland County baseball culture in the truest sense, as he has grown up around the sport since his Scotland County Parks and Recreation tee ball days and beyond. He was a member of the Optimist All-Stars every year he participated in the league, and has played baseball nearly year-round with various travel ball organizations, including his most recent three-year tenure with the renowned Evoshield Canes. Adams also attended Marlboro Academy his seventh and eighth grade years, earning the right to play with the varsity Dragons’ squad in his final year at the school.
But according to parents Marry Jo and David, Adams’ passion for the sport of baseball lies at the heart of their son’s success.
“I remember taking family trips to North Myrtle Beach and Will would want to go to the ballpark there to practice,” David Adams said. “He loves the sport, and to see him work through the challenges he’s faced as a baseball player and excel is a great feeling.”
Marry Jo Adams added that, “we’re proud of Will and the effort he’s put forth, not just in athletics but in his academics and the community as well.”
Though he has been a member of the varsity Fighting Scots since his sophomore year, Adams truly flourished in a full-time role last season. On the mound for the Scots, Adams compiled a 4-0 record with a 2.31 ERA and 46 strikeouts to just 12 walks. And Adams proved equally adept offensively, showcasing his clutch hitting ability during the most crucial stretch of the spring 2012 season for the Fighting Scots, a season that saw Scotland finish with a 24-3 record and a Southeastern Conference championship.
Adams’ season accomplishments earned him All-Conference honors in his junior season. But for Scotland first-year head baseball coach Jamie Coleman (who has known and worked with Adams for several years), it’s Adams’ selflessness and desire for self-improvement that makes him a standout player.
“He’s a very unselfish and coachable player that is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help his teammates,” Coleman said. “From team drills to working on his own, he’s always been willing to accept any challenge and I’m excited to see where he’ll take his game at the next level.”
But before he continues his career past his Scotland playing days, Adams still has another Fighting Scots’ season to add to the record books. And for Britt, who has known Adams his entire life, seeing the 18 year-old progress from a young age to now has been a joy to behold.
“As coaches, nothing is better than seeing a seven year-old kid grow into a future college player,” Britt said. “We get excited about wins and losses, but in the end it’s all about kids getting their education and finding success later in life. He’s a fine young man and player, and best of all he’s got another season here in Scotland.”
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