Hardy to play college baseball at Savannah St.

Hardy has accepted a non-scholarship offer to play for Division I Savannah State with a possibility for scholarship money next year.

“This is just exceptional,” said Hardy at Thursday ceremony at East Jackson commemorating the moment. “I’ve dreamt of this moment all my life — just being able to play ball somewhere else and get the opportunity to go on and prove myself a little bit more.”

The Tigers recruited Hardy as both a catcher and pitcher.

“I don’t know what I’ll be doing more of, but I will be playing both positions,” Hardy said.

Hardy explained the particulars of his non-scholarship offer at Savannah State, which he said is a bit different than a walk-on.

“I wouldn’t have to do a walk-on,” Hardy said. “I would just be playing and then next year, I would be working toward a scholarship.”

For East Jackson coach Matt Pruitt, the Eagles are sending a player on to the next level in his first year with the Eagles. He said this is big for Hardy.

“We’re really excited about Caleb’s opportunity,” Pruitt said. “It’s been a longtime dream of his personally. To get to see him fulfill that dream is exciting for all of us.”

This is noteworthy for the program, Pruitt said.

“It’s something to advertise your program with a little bit,” he said. “We’ve got guys who go on to play at the next level, too. Again, we couldn’t point to a better one than Caleb just as far as a young man and a ball player, someone who really made this happen through his hard work and dedication to the game.”