Logan, Ogden to end JUCO careers at World Series

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 26, 2000

Nook Logan will be waiting anxiously by his phone next month for a call from a Major League Baseball team letting him know when he will be drafted. But first Logan wants to finish his amateur days on top as the Copiah-Lincoln Community College sophomore shortstop will be competing in the NJCAA&160;Division II World Series in Millington, Tenn.

&uot;Right now, this is at the top of my list of highlights,&uot;&160;Logan said. &uot;We know if we come ready to play, nobody can beat us. But everybody has to be ready to play.&uot;

Co-Lin, 45-15, faces Iowa Central (50-8) Saturday at 9 a.m.

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&uot;That’s a big game and we have to get all the jitters out,&uot; Logan said. &uot;I don’t think the competition in the north is as tough as the competition in the south. If we can win that first game, it will give us confidence and we can get on a roll.&uot;

A former teammate of Logan’s at Natchez High is also excited about appearing in the World Series.

Pitcher Hunter Ogden signed a football scholarship with Co-Lin but decided to play baseball this year.

He has pitched one inning out of the bullpen for the Wolves.

&uot;This is something I’ve definitely never done before,&uot; Ogden said of participating in a World Series. &uot;I&160;thought I maybe should have played more, but I’ve enjoyed the ride so far.&uot;

Ogden said he will stay ready in the bullpen if needed.

&uot;If they need me,&160;I’ll just go in and try to throw strikes,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s tough not knowing if you are going to play, but you have to be ready to give your best each game.&uot;

The Wolves defeated state champion Northwest Mississippi Community College 7-5 to capture the Region 23 title.

The Rangers had defeated the Wolves the previous week in the championship game of the rain-delayed State Tournament in Fulton.

&uot;That was sweet,&uot; Logan said.

Logan, who is hitting .326 with 13 RBI, set a school record with 40 stolen bases.

Major League scouts have flocked to Wesson to watch Logan play. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder was timed by the majors as running a 6.8 in the 60-yard dash.

&uot;It’s been easier this year than last year,&uot;&160;Logan said of the distractions. &uot;I knew what to expect. I knew people would be coming in watching. I’ve just been staying focused and relaxed.&uot;

Logan said he has been told he could go anywhere in the first five to seven rounds.&160;The draft is set for June 5-7.

&uot;Right now nobody knows,&uot; Logan said. &uot;I felt coming into Co-Lin that I had a chance to get drafted. I knew I had to put on a few more pounds and be a little more aggressive at the plate. I felt like I would get some attention.&uot;

But Logan’s attention is currently on the World Series. And he credits a couple of other Natchez Co-Lin players for having the chance to make the World Series.

Right fielder Brandon Atkins and pitcher Doug Atkins have also contributed to the Wolves’ success.

&uot;They really stepped it up,&uot; Logan said. &uot;With Doug on the mound I feel like we always have a chance to win. He comes in and closes the door every time. And Brandon has gotten some big hit for us. I can’t say enough about those two guys.&uot;