STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State University has signedright-handed pitcher Jacob Blakeney of Magee, Miss., to a nationalletter of intent in baseball, MSU head baseball coach Pat McMahonannounced this week. Signing with the University of SouthernMississippi is Co-Lin southpaw pitcher Josh Garrett ofMonticello.

Blakeney is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound, pitcher at Copiah-Lincoln(Miss.) Community College, where he helped guide coach Keith Case’sWolves baseball team to a school-best 47-17 record and No. 4 finishin the 2000 NJCAA Division II World Series in Millington, Tenn.Blakeney posted a 12-3 record with a 4.13 earned run average,earning All-Region 23 and MACJC All-State honors.

“We are very excited that Jacob is joining the Mississippi Statebaseball program,” said MSU assistant coach Jim Case. “He hasreceived excellent training at Co-Lin under Keith Case andassistant coach Pete Young, and that training will enable him to bea major contributor early in his career at Mississippi State.”

Blakeney was a four-year starter as a pitcher during his prepcareer (1995 to 1998) playing for coach Winston Mullins at SimpsonAcademy. He posted an 11-3 record as a senior, earning all-divisionhonors and helping lead SA to a 31-4 record and a Class 3A statetitle.

“I am delighted to have an opportunity to play baseball in sucha great program,” said Blakeney, who signed with Delta StateUniversity and sat out the 1999 campaign as a redshirt.

Blakeney is the son of Ted and Gladys Blakeney of Magee,Miss.

Garrett (6-1, 185) posted a 9-2 record as a freshman at Co-Lin.He had 67 strikeouts and was a MACJC Second Team All-Stateselection. He posted a 3.97 ERA in 16 games.

Garrett, a southpaw, pitched for Coach Tony Davis at LawrenceCounty High School. He was named The Daily Leader’s All-AreaBaseball Player of the Year in 1999.