Joel Cheatwood signs with Snead State

Joel Cheatwood will spend the first two years of his college career at Snead State Community College.

The senior shortstop and pitcher at Chelsea High School signed with the school in a ceremony on Thursday morning, with dozens of friends and family in attendance.

"I went on a visit there and I've played there a couple times when I was younger," Cheatwood said of Snead State. "I liked it there. I like the feel."

Cheatwood was pulled up to the varsity squad midway through his sophomore year and has been a mainstay for the team ever since. He plays shortstop primarily, but Snead State is interested to see what he can do on the mound as well.

Cheatwood will play for head coach Gerry Ledbetter at Snead State, who was in attendance alongside assistant coach Casey Underwood.

He credits his current coach, Michael Stallings, with his growth throughout his high school tenure.

"He's a good coach. He walked me through things and has been there to help me," Cheatwood said.

With a college decision out of the way, there is work to be done in Cheatwood's final season of high school baseball.

"I'm going to try get my batting average up a little higher," he said, of his main goal in 2016.

Chelsea's season gets underway Feb. 15, as they host the Hope 4 Gabe Leadoff Classic.