By Derek Thompson | The Selma Times-Journal

Wallace Community College Selma head baseball coach Frank Elliott said he is expecting the Patriots to win more games and go further in the Alabama Community College Tournament next season after signing a few new stars that shined on high school diamonds across the state.

Several signees are members of Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State Baseball Teams.

Right-handed pitcher Chandler Mullins out of Prattville High School signed with the Patriots on May 13. Mullins was named to the second-team for 7A after finishing his senior season with a 5-2 record and a 1.51 ERA. He recorded 51 strikeouts through 46.1innings.

“I couldn’t believe that nobody had signed him,” Elliott said. “I signed him late. I saw him pitch against Thompson when he was a junior and Thompson was ranked No.1 in the state. He beat them at their place. He’s a quality pitcher and quality fielder.”

Hueytown High School’s Kelvin Moore was selected to the second-team for 6A and signed with WCCS on March 30.

“(Moore) has tremendous bat speed there,” Elliott said. “ He was recommended by a pro scout. He’s got a lot of upside to him.”

The Patriots also picked up Tyler Owens out of Thorsby High School. Owens was selected to the second-team for 2A.

Other notable 2015 signees are catcher Eric Black of Madison County, pitcher Kyle Friday of Marengo Academy and Kyle Chandler from Autauga Academy, who was an honorable mention for AISA.

“We started signing guys early this year,” Elliott said. “Depending on how they play together and the chemistry of this team, we’ll do this next year. I’m excited about having these guys here and just hope that they all play together and get the chemistry of the team going early and take it right on into the spring and win.”

The Patriots finished last season with a 15-17 record and a trip to the Alabama Community College Tournament held in Ozark.

They won one game in the tournament defeating Southern Union 7-5, but were later eliminated by L. B. Wallace, 11-1, and Wallace State of Hanceville, 15-1.

“This is a good group,” Elliott said. “We’re certainly expecting to win more games this year and expecting to make it to the tournament. We are expecting to do even more in the tournament than we did this year. A lot of things have to fall in place for that to happen. Just staying healthy is one huge thing that has to fall in place. Just staying healthy is very important. I think this is the best group we’ve had in a long time.”