Calvary Day's Will Hampton on reasons behind his commitment to play baseball at Vanderbilt
It was evident from the start that Calvary Day's Will Hampton had a special talent on the baseball diamond when he was a freshman in the spring of 2021.
The left-hander established himself as a star in all phases of the game as he posted an ERA of 1.35 with a 7-2 record on the mound, while hitting .375 with an OPS of .911 with 39 hits and 26 RBIs to help lead the Cavaliers to the state quarterfinals.
Hampton followed it up with another excellent showing in his sophomore campaign, and college recruiters become a constant in his life.
Last week, Hampton made his college commitment early, as the junior announced on Twitter his plans to attend perennial NCAA power Vanderbilt.
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He had offers on the table from Baylor, Georgia State, Troy and Florida International University, and was receiving strong interest from Clemson and South Carolina when he announced his decision on Twitter.
"It all came down to Vanderbilt as a program and a school," Hampton said. "It's a beautiful campus in Nashville with one of the best teams in college baseball, and it offers a great education. I loved the coaches, the players and the environment there."
Hampton, a two-time All-Greater Savannah first-team selection, said he is being recruited as a first baseman and could play some outfield for the Commodores.
"We're really excited for Will. Vanderbilt has always been his dream school, and now he's getting a chance to fulfill that dream," Calvary Day coach Phillip Lee said. "He's such a talented player, and that's what gets those first looks from big-time colleges. But it's the way he carries himself every day. He's a super hard worker and a gritty competitor. He's the type who is going to give you his best every day, whether in practice or in a game."
Vanderbilt features another player with Savannah roots in left-handed pitcher Carter Holton, the Benedictine graduate who earned freshman All-America honors after an impressive campaign last spring.
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Hampton said playing for Lee and attending Calvary has him well prepared for taking the next step when he starts at Vanderbilt.
"Coach Lee runs a great baseball program, and the academics are strong at Calvary Day," said the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Hampton. "My teachers and coaches helped me straighten up, be disciplined and get on the right track. I'm close friends with Jake (Merklinger) and he's on the same kind of path with football, so that helped me get the recruiting process."
Hampton said the recruiting process was a bit stressful, so he's glad he committed early. Now he is focused on his final two seasons with the Cavs, and working individually with a personal trainer to improve himself.
Lee said he's looking forward to having such a talented player, and leader, on the squad for the next two seasons.
"Will is so strong at the plate — and he'll be a position player at Vanderbilt," Lee said. "But he's a lefty who can throw in the upper 80s with excellent command of all three of his pitches. I think he's one of the best pitchers in Georgia, so we'll be glad have him on the mound as well."
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Calvary Day's Will Hampton commits to play baseball at Vanderbilt
