Daniel Watts made the most of his one inning of work in Tuesday’s Midwest League all-star game featuring the best players from the Eastern division and the Western division. Watts, a Troup High graduate and a pitcher for the South Bend (Ind.) Silver Hawks, was named the starting pitcher for the Eastern division all-stars after a terrific first half of the season. Watts showed he was worthy of that starting assignment by throwing a perfect first inning with two strikeouts. After retiring the first batter he faced on a flyout, Watts struck out the next two hitters, and his night was done. More than 20 pitchers were used on the night, and no one threw more than one inning. The Western all-stars struck first with two runs in the top of the second, but the Eastern all-stars rallied for four runs in the fifth to take the lead. After falling behind 5-2, the Western all-stars scored three runs in the top of the ninth to tie it, but the Eastern All-stars pushed a run across in the bottom of the ninth to win it 6-5. Watts earned his starting nod by going 8-3 in the first half of the season for the Silver Hawks, a single A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Watts, who is in second season in the Diamondbacks’ organization after he was drafted last year, has more wins than any other pitcher in the Midwest League.

It was an easy decision. Shortly after participating in a football workout at Point University, former LaGrange High offensive lineman Jacob Tucker was offered an athletic scholarships, and he readily accepted. “They offered him, and faxed up a letter of intent, and he signed it and sent it back quick,” said Davis Russell, the offensive-line coach at LaGrange. Tucker said he’s thrilled to get this chance. “Even though it’s not one of the big SEC schools, it’s giving me the opportunity to go play ball and do something I love,” Tucker said. “I’m excited about that.” Tucker was invited to participate in the workout for Point’s coaches, and Russell said he put on a show. “He had a great workout,” Russell said. “His 40, his run blocking and his pass blocking were all really good.” Tucker said “everything was really good. I’d been training for it ever since the coaches told me about it three weeks in advance. All my hard work paid off.” Russell believes Point is getting a fine player who is still getting better. “He’s a guy with a ton of potential,” Russell said. “He’s got a great frame. He’s probably 6-2, 230 pounds. His frame is big enough where he’ll be able to grow some. I think they’re expecting him to come down there and play tackle, and get down there and play.” Tucker was not only a football standout at LaGrange, but he also excelled in track and field, and he won a region championship in the discus during the spring. Russell said no matter the sport, Tucker gives it his all. “It’s good to see a guy who works hard get repaid,” Russell said. “He’s absolutely worked his butt off to get where he is. And he’s going to be successful. There’s no doubt in my mind.”