By Chris Sokoloski

csokoloski@gtowntimes.com

Andrews High School's Mason Brett signed to play baseball at USC - Sumter last week.

"I'm very excited," Brett said. "It's an honor to be able" to play at the next level.

"It's an honor for him to get this and an honor for these coaches," Andrews head coach Roland Clemons said. "He's a wonderful leader. His work ethic is great. He leads by example. It's an honor to coach him."

Brett has been playing baseball since he was old enough to hold a bat.

"I love the adrenaline rush," Brett said. "Making a big out and coming up in a big spot."

He was never interested in playing another sport.

Brett is the Yellow Jackets' catcher and enjoys being involved in every play.

"I always have control of the field and I always get to touch the ball," Brett said.

Brett always plays American Legion baseball for Post 114.

"It's important because I'm playing for all the veterans and all the

people around the community," Brett said. "It's a lot more games, a lot different than high school. The competition is a lot better."

He's not sure what he wants to study in college, but he's leaning toward education so he can coach one day.

"[Brett] worked on his grades extremely hard and he worked on his baseball skills extremely hard and now he's being rewarded," Clemons said.

He thinks the biggest transition on the field will probably be the speed of the pitching.

"The pitching is going to be better than what I'm seeing right now."

USC-Sumter is 32-17 this season and will compete in the Region X tournament next weekend.

The Fire Ants finished 41-11 last year and won the regular season Region X title.