Houston Harding signs with Mississippi State

FULTON, Miss. – ICC standout pitcher Houston Harding (Walls) has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his baseball career at Mississippi State University.

"I'm very grateful, blessed and excited to be able to continue at the next level," said Harding. "It's every kid's dream to play SEC baseball and I cannot wait to get started."

The sophomore lefthander finished his first season at ICC with a 9-3 record and a 4.42 ERA. He struck out a team-high 95 in 79.1 innings of work over 16 appearances and earned Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State First Team honors. 

"He (Houston) is an outstanding pitcher and a great young man," said ICC Head Coach Rick Collier. "He has great command and works very hard and it has paid off for him. He had an exceptional freshman year and he'll start every fourth ballgame for us this spring."

Harding and the Indians had success last season going 33-17, advancing to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament for the first time since 2012 and earning the program's highest-ever ranking at No. 2.

"I have unfinished business here (ICC) first," Harding said. "We have a great squad and I cannot wait to go to war with this spring."

After finishing his sophomore season with the Indians that begins in early February, Harding will join the Bulldogs, who are about to enter their first season under Chris Lemonis.

Harding is the fourth member of his sophomore class to sign to the next level, joining Kyle Crigger (Corinth), who signed with Louisiana Tech University; Justin Medlin (Ripley), who is headed to Middle Tennessee State University, and Austin King (Fulton), who signed with Alabama State University.

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