RHS’ Lindsey, Hulsey sign
Russellville head baseball coach David Ward, center, poses with Austin Hulsey, left, and T.J. Lindsey, right, after the players signed collegiate scholarship offers last Friday. Hulsey will play for Wallace State while Lindsey will play for Alabama A&M.
Russellville varsity baseball coach David Ward said his main goal in leading the Golden Tigers is to help his players earn collegiate scholarships.
He said he wants his players to continue their careers after their final game at Russellville.
“My goal is to get all seniors to play at the next level,” Ward said. “I tell the freshmen that if you stay out here, you should be shooting for a free education.”
Two of Ward’s seniors helped contribute to that goal Friday when they signed collegiate scholarships.
T.J. Lindsey, a key hitter in the Russellville lineup for several seasons, signed with Alabama A&M while transfer Austin Hulsey signed with Wallace State.
They are the first of several Russellville baseball players expected to sign college offers this summer.
“Our class has always been a good class. We love baseball,” Lindsey said. “It is going to be tough not playing with them anymore.”
Lindsey and Hulsey were part of a record-setting Russellville team during their senior season. The Golden Tigers got off to an 0-3 start before putting together a 31-game winning streak.
Russellville finished second in the area and won its first-round playoff series by sweeping Lee-Huntsville.
Hulsey, who transferred from Haleyville to play his senior season at Russellville, said the experience will stick with him for a while.
“It is all a different atmosphere and I went to different places like Florida,” Hulsey said. “I like being around people who want to work at baseball year round.”
Lindsey has helped build the Golden Tiger program in recent years. After Russellville had several playoff appearances, the Golden Tigers experienced a drought in 2009.
They returned to the playoffs in 2010, but were swept by East Limestone in the opening round. This season they reached the second round, but once again the season ended in a sweep — this time at the hands of rival Athens.
“This year we should have gone farther, but we lost to a good Athens team,” Lindsey said. “It was tough. Going in we felt confident.”
In addition to the scholarship from Alabama A&M, Lindsey also earned another scholarship for his baseball playing experience. He was one of four finalists for the Alabama Coaches Association Player of the Year and earned a one-time $1,500 scholarship.
Lindsey said he has enjoyed his time at Russellville and is eager to begin his career with the Bulldogs.
“It’s been my dream since being a little kid,” Lindsey said. “Everybody who plays dreams of college ball and making it to the Major Leagues.”
Both Lindsey and Hulsey had help from Southeastern Recruiting in securing their scholarships.
