Nine Houston County baseball and softball players sign Letters of Intent

WARNER ROBINS — Houston County High School is sending another crop of student-athletes to play in college, with nine signing their Letters of Intent on Wednesday.

At the time of writing the 2024 All-Region softball team selections for Region 2-5A had not been made.

Here’s who signed, and where they’re going:

Ansleigh Darby, Softball, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC)

Darby is one of two softball players in this year’s crop heading to ABAC in Tifton. She batted .491 this season with 22 stolen bases, and has 162 career hits, 160 career runs scored and 57 career stolen bases.

She was also a three-time All-Region First Team selectee, a one-time All-State Second Team selectee and participated in the Georgia Dugout Club’s senior All-Star day this year.

Claire McArthur, Softball, Samford University

McArthur is a versatile player who played a multitude of positions for the Lady Bears. This year as a pitcher she batted .413, and in her career she has 188 hits, 95 RBIs and 14 home runs.

She also has one All-Region Second Team selection, a Georgia Athletic Coaches Association All-State Second Team selection and All-Star selection in 2023.

Hayley McElroy, Softball, Embry Riddle University

McElroy stepped up to the plate (literally) this season when HoCo needed a catcher, and batted .385 on the season with eight home runs. In her career she has 120 hits, 102 RBIs and 10 home runs.

She’s a two-time All-Region First Team selectee.

Kinley Snider, Softball, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural University

Snider has been a rock-solid first baseman for the Lady Bears, and in her senior season she batted .418. In her career she has 141 hits, 112 RBIs and 136 runs scored.

She also has three All-Region First Team selections.

Max Willhide, Baseball, Chattahoochee Valley Community College

Willhide will be taking his pitching talents to Phenix City, Alabama after his commitment. Last year he pitched 12.2 innings for HoCo with an ERA of 4.42 and 11 strikeouts.

Will Allen, Baseball, University of South Florida

Allen was formerly committed to the University of Georgia, but after decommitting earlier this year, he signed with the University of South Florida. Last year he was HoCo’s ace, pitching 64.2 innings with a .75 ERA and 74 strikeouts. Head baseball coach Matt Hopkins said that his ERA last year was top three all-time at Houston County.

Ethan Buffone, Baseball and Soccer, Mercer University

Dual-sport athletes in high school are not uncommon, but they are almost unheard of at the college level. On Wednesday, Buffone signed to play both baseball and soccer at Mercer. Last year he provided staunch defense at shortstop, and batted .297, got 30 hits and 25 RBI.

Vick Gann, Baseball, Georgia Gwinnett College

Gann is heading to one of the top programs in the NAIA in Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville. Last year he batted .363, had 41 hits and 21 RBI.

Tucker Hale, Baseball, Gordon State College

Hale was key in the Bears’ pitching rotation last year, and threw 40.1 innings with an ERA of 3.29 and 43 strikeouts.