Dillon's Callahan signs with South Carolina

Jamie Callahan never had any doubt where he wanted to play college baseball.

Since South Carolina offered the Dillon right-hander last year, Callahan never looked at any other school and signed a national letter of intent to play baseball with the two-time defending champion Gamecocks on Wednesday.

“I was real excited when I woke up this morning,” Callahan said. “South Carolina is where I wanted to go ever since I was small. And when they offered to me, it was a wrap right there. I love it up there. There is nothing that could describe it.”

The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder went 3-2 with a 3.88 ERA last season in 12 appearances for the Wildcats. Callahan struck out 87 batters and walked just 25 in 49 innings.

Callahan, who played first and third base when he wasn’t pitching, also hit .431 with seven homers and 26 RBI in earning all-state honors.

“He’s been something special and a joy to coach,” Dillon coach Gregg Dozier said. “He works hard every day and sometimes you got to put the reins on him to slow him down because he will work and work.

“To put a measurement on what he has done for the program is something hard to do.”

Callahan’s stock continued to rise this summer playing for the Canes and Shockwave travel baseball teams. He also was selected to play in the Under Armour All-American game in August at Wrigley Field with the other top high school prospects.

Last month, Callahan pitched well at the All-World Wood Bat Association tournament in Jupiter, Fla. He allowed one run in nine innings, struck out 11 and walked three.

Callahan, whose fastball has been clocked between 90-94 mph, also was named to the all-tournament squad.

“I faced a lot of the top hitters in the United States in the wooden bat. And looking back, I didn’t realize how tough they were. But I just took it day-to-day and went out and did my job on the mound,” Callahan said.

If Callahan continues to perform like this, he is likely to have a decision to make when the Major League Baseball draft rolls around in June. The website, Baseballdraftreport.com, ranks Callahan as the 65th-best prospect among high school and college players.

Perfect Game ranks Callahan as the No. 1 high school player in South Carolina, and Diamond Prospects ranks him as the top right-handed high school pitcher in the state.

Callahan said he hasn’t thought a lot about the possibility of getting drafted, but it’s in the back of his mind as he gets ready for his senior season.

“This fall has been productive for me and I have gotten on the radar of a lot of pro teams. You never know what the future holds,” Callahan said. “It is hard because South Carolina is really high on my list. But on the other hand, it is my dream to play major league baseball. Right now, it is up in the air which way I’m going to go.”