Drew Walden and Jerrik Sigg have played baseball together since — well, forever it seems.
On Tuesday the two Iola High seniors signed letters of intent to play Allen County Community College baseball next year. Walden and Sigg helped lead the IHS Mustangs to a team best season last spring.
“It’s always great to sign talented players from the local schools. Jerrik and Drew are very talented athletes and very good people,” said Val McLean, Allen County Community College head baseball coach.
“Both young men bring good skills to our program. We expect them to step in and contribute to our team.”
Sigg is being signed as an outfielder and Walden as a catcher.
“This is our hometown college and it is the place to be. Allen County has a strong baseball program and I’m happy to be a part of it,” Walden said.
“I think my defensive skills behind the plate are my assets. Also I’m working to improve my hitting.”
For Sigg, Allen County is a good start for his college baseball career.
“Allen County has always been a strong baseball team and it’s a good stepping stone for me,” Sigg said. “I have good speed in the outfield and my defensive skills are good.”
Both seniors are undecided on a college major.
Iola was in the Southeast Kansas League title hunt to the end last season, losing twice to Pittsburg in the final doubleheader. Pittsburg and Columbus tied for the SEK championship at 13-3 as Iola and Fort Scott tied for third.
Sigg earned first-team All-SEK honors while Walden was named to the second team.
Sigg led the Mustangs at the plate with a .403 batting average. He had 27 hits which included six doubles, three triples and three home runs. He drove in 22 runs and scored 25. Sigg drew 13 walks and he was 11 of 12 on stolen base attempts.
When he wasn’t patrolling center field for Iola, Sigg was the ace on the mound for the Mustangs. He went 5-2 with a 3.28 earned run average (ERA) and had three complete games. Sigg allowed 46 hits but had a team-leading 44 strikeouts and issued 23 walks.
Walden hit .277 with 13 hits including one home run and three doubles. He had 10 RBIs and six runs scored
