Gant Signs with Vols

The University of Tennessee gave Clayton Gant a pitch he couldn't resist, and the University School of Jackson senior signed with the Volunteers on Monday at the USJ library.
Gant pitches and plays middle infield for the Bruins. He is undecided on his major at UT, but the Vols decided his future is on the mound.
  
"Now I can play regular baseball a lot more relaxed," Gant said. "Everybody (who recruited him) wanted me as a pitcher."

Gant, a senior, said Louisiana State University, Mississippi State, the University of Memphis, Middle Tennessee State University and UT showed the most interest in him.
Gant joins former USJ teammate Josh Liles, who is a freshman outfielder for the Volunteers. Tennessee's new head baseball coach is former University of Western Carolina coach Todd Raleigh.

"Josh is helping me prepare," Gant said. "It's an all-new coaching staff, and the only thing on their mind is getting to Omaha." Omaha, Neb. is the site of the College Baseball World Series.

Gant, a right-hander, was all-state his junior season. He had a 14-1 record with a 1.87 earned run average with 109 strikeouts in 86 innings. The Bruins were runner-up in the Class AA state tournament for a second straight season.

"He doesn't just throw 90 to 91 miles per hour; he pitches," USJ coach Brad Dyer said. "There's a difference in throwing and pitching."

Dyer saw Gant's talent early on when Gant played travel ball for him at age 12.

"(Gant) is not finished yet," Dyer said. "He signed, but we want to get the winning run in the state championship game."

Last season, Gant had a .413 batting average with 53 RBIs, six home runs and 42 runs scored.

Gant has a career pitching record of 44-3 at USJ. He was 10-2 as a sophomore with a 1.67 ERA and earned all-state and all-area honors.

As a freshman, Gant was 11-0, and USJ beat Friendship Christian School, 9-2, in the Class Astate final. He also played for the Bruins as an eighth grader.
"We're very fortunate to have these two young men (Gant and Liles) going to UT and play in the Southeastern Conference," USJ athletic director Bob Wood said. "They are a great credit to their families, school and themselves."

Gant spent the past two years playing summer travel baseball with the Memphis Tigers, a Connie Mack team. Gant, the son of Tony and Gloria Gant, went 12-0 last summer for the Tigers' 18-and-under team, which finished 57-12 and advanced to the Southeast regional final.

 

 

- David Thomas, 425-9637