Danny Dickenson and Logan Williams graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School last week as longtime baseball teammates.
Thursday afternoon, both players signed a National Letter of Intent to remain teammates for another four years at Bluefield State College.
“It feels great. There for a little bit, it was hard to try and find a place I could play next year,” Dickenson said. “(Bluefield State head) Coach (Drew) Bailey talked to (Woodrow Wilson head coach) J.P. (Stevens). (Coach Bailey) had us there for a visit and it worked out great.”
Williams also liked the pitching background for Bailey who pitched professionally in the Oakland Athletics organization and was a standout on college at Concord University.
“I feel really accomplished. They say hard work pays off and I have dedicated my life to this sport,” Williams said. “I really liked the coaching staff and one of my buddies went down there last years and played. I just think that it is the best fit for me. For the coach to drafted as a pitcher and me being a pitcher, it really drives me to get better.”
Stevens feels both players will transition nicely to the next level.
“These two guys provided the senior leadership and balance for us. It made our season a lot easier than it could have been. They are kind of the Yin and Yang that you need to be good,” Stevens said. “Danny’s strength is his bat and Logan’s is his arm.”
Dickenson hit .469 this season with 43 RBI and a pair of home runs.
“His average is phenomenal when you consider he played 31 games. Danny only struckout like 12 or 13 times. Eight or nine of those were in the first four or five games of the year,” Stevens said. “He had that roll where he went 17-for-20 in a week-and-a half which is unheard of. I think Danny will be fine. He sees the ball well and he can hit fastballs with the best of them.”
Along with being rock solid on the mound, Williams was a huge asset for the Flying Eagles because of his versatility.
“Logan pitched, played third, played short and played center,” Stevens said. “He played everywhere. He was always there on the mound when we needed him.”
Although Williams hit .330 on the year with 25 RBI and three long balls, he feels his best opportunity to play in college will be as a pitcher.
“I like pitching a lot. I would like to be a two-way player, but my bat doesn’t work all the time,” Williams said. “I think I will need to locate my fastball a little better and get the velocity up some in college. I also need to work on my change-up. My junk is there right now. I have always had a good curveball and my slider came around during my sophomore year.”
While it might not have been the major driving force in their decision, both players agreed it will be great to continue playing baseball as teammates in college.
“It is nice that we are both going together. We both liked Bluefield State and we both liked what it had to offer. It just seemed to fall into place,” Dickenson said. “(Logan) will be my roommate and we are going to go through a lot of the same things. It will be nice to have somebody to bounce stuff off of.”
Williams could not hide his lifetime love for the game of baseball Thursday.
“It is a dream really. I am just happy that we have the opportunity. We are blessed and we would leave tomorrow if we could,” Williams said, smiling.
