July 30, 2007

BOONEVILLE, Miss.--Jake Lee (Tupelo) was the starting shortstop on the Northeast Mississippi Community College baseball team in 2007 and was named the Tigers’ Most Outstanding Defensive Player following the season. Now the former Tupelo Golden Wave standout will suit up for the University of Alabama-Huntsville the next two seasons after accepting a scholarship offer from the Chargers’ head baseball coach Lowell Mooneyham.

UAH, a NCAA Division II school, competes in the Gulf South Conference against West Alabama, Delta State, North Alabama, Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, Christian Brothers, Harding, Henderson State, Southern Arkansas, Valdosta State, West Georgia, Montevallo, West Florida, and Ouchita Baptist.

“I’m really glad to get to extend my playing career at a great school, in a great conference,” said Lee, who transferred to NEMCC after playing at East Mississippi Community College as a freshman. “UAH has a great baseball tradition in the Gulf South, and they play against strong competition every week. I hope I can go work hard, and hopefully break into the lineup.”

At the plate for the Tigers in ’07, Lee batted .262 with 14 doubles, three triples, and 17 RBI. However, it was his work at the shortstop position that caught the UAH coaching staff’s eyes as he committed just 9 errors in 42 games and sported a .968 fielding percentage as Northeast’s everyday shortstop.

“Jake is a very, very solid shortstop,” said NEMCC head coach Kent Farris. “He’ll be able to work on his hitting over the next two years at UAH, but defensively he’s ready to play on that level right now.”

The UAH Chargers went 21-30 last season (14-11 at home) with a 5-13 mark in GSC play.

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