For Hedges, there was no better place than USC Marshall.
“I knew I wanted to study business and what’s better than Marshall? [It’s] one of the best business schools in the nation,” Hedges said.
Hedges isn’t alone in his academic dedication. From the coaches to the players, the baseball team’s culture values classroom victories as much as the ones on the field.
“We think that grades are a reflection of you as a person and your dedication to anything that you do,” Hedges said. “Our coach has a quote that says ‘How you do anything is how you do everything.’ That applies to all facets of your life. If you’re going to give full effort on academics or even making your bed per se, then you’re going to do that in baseball as well.”
Hedges’ teammates shared his business instincts and competitive drive. Eager to set themselves up for post-baseball success, over a dozen players enrolled at USC Marshall.
“A lot of us want to get a business degree coming into college, and Marshall is one of the best,” Hedges explained. “I think [the school] can be described as setting you up for a career — for a life — that not many other schools can. It’s putting you so many steps ahead of so many other people, with connections that last you a lifetime, with an education that puts you in a place to succeed.”
Between practices and games, the teammates bonded over discussions of their Marshall classes. From their academic advisors, they received additional support in the difficult task of balancing schoolwork and sports.
On the diamond, Hedges, ever determined to challenge himself, added another curveball to his already demanding schedule: a new position.
For two years, the corner infielder pleaded with the head coach, Andy Stankiewicz, to let him pitch as well. When the team lost several pitchers to the transfer portal, the coach finally acquiesced, and Hedges had a breakout season on the mound and at the dish.
Coming out of the bullpen, Hedges spotted a 2.40 ERA and finished second in the Big Ten in saves. His pitching was only surpassed by his improvement at the plate, where Hedges’ extra work with the team’s hitting coach propelled him to career highs in batting average, hits, home runs, RBIs, and slugging percentage.
An All-Big-Ten first team selection and one of five finalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, Hedges rocketed up MLB big boards. On July 13, the Colorado Rockies selected Hedges in the third round of the MLB Draft.
“It is everything I ever dreamed of as a kid. You’re out there playing whiffle ball at seven years-old, thinking about playing professional baseball and to have that opportunity to be so close is unbelievable,” Hedges said. “It’s attributed to all the work I’ve put in throughout all of these years, and I’m ready to keep going. I’m ready to get out there and show ‘em what I’ve got … It’s a dream come true.”
As Hedges looks forward to the day-to-day grind of the minor league system, there is one thing he believes sets him apart:
“It would be my work ethic 100%,” Hedges said. “Throughout baseball and throughout my academics at USC, I’ve learned how to have a work ethic. How I handle myself on the field [and] off the field is going to separate me from other people in the minors and then help me to excel and propel myself.”
