DC's Gregory signs to continue career at Bethel

Keaton, with his parents Rick and Laura Gregory by his side, made his college choice official when he signed a scholarship offer to attend Bethel College in McKenzie.

"Coach (Preston) Ozment and I talked about what schools I was interested in and Bethel showed some interest. Once I realized they were interested in me, then I got interested in them and here we are," said a happy Gregory after the signing.

At Dyer County, the recent graduate was a mainstay at third base during his junior and senior campaigns, but Gregory believes he will have a shot on the mound for the Wildcats in the years to come.

"I went up there and practiced with them on hitting, fielding and pitching. I think they were most impressed with my arm for pitching and they told me they thought they could get me throwing in the low 90s, so I'm excited about having the opportunity to throw in college," said Gregory.

During his senior campaign for the Choctaws, at the dish Gregory batted at a .300 clip with 21 RBIs on 33 hits in 110 at bats. The newest Bethel signee also was 15-of-19 on stolen base attempts and had an on-base percentage of .369.

Gregory was known as one of the hardest working members of the Choctaw squad during his four years in the program, and seeing the young man sign to continue his career in college was a proud moment as well for Choctaw head coach Preston Ozment.

"Keaton is a great kid with a solid work ethic. He's the type of kid you want to see succeed because of what he has meant to our program as well as our school here at Dyer County," added Ozment. "I'll never forget the plays he made during his junior year at third base, and I really believe he helped propel us to win that state championship game."

Though seldom used as a pitcher in high school, Ozment believes Gregory has a legitimate chance to succeed as a hurler on the college level with the Wildcats.

"I would have loved to have been able to have pitched Keaton more, but we depended on him so much during the last two years at third base that he just didn't get a lot of opportunities," said Ozment. "Just because of how he has progressed in four years here, I know he will do great things at Bethel because he is going to work hard, no question about it."

The Wildcats are a member of the TranSouth Athletic Conference.