Eggemeyer gets full ride to Shawnee
<span>It was almost a whirlwind month for Cody Eggemeyer.</span>
<span>The recent Chester High School graduate went from the possibility of not playing baseball at all in college to a full-ride athletic scholarship to Shawnee Community College.</span>
<span>He previously had a tryout with John A. Logan College on June 24 and signed a national letter-of-intent with SCC on Thursday.</span>
<span>"It feels pretty good," Eggemeyer said on signing with Shawnee. "John A. never called me back and it feels good to extend my baseball career."</span>
<span>Eggemeyer recently wrapped up American Senior Legion season with Steeleville Post 480 and the CHS workhorse recorded a 2.38 ERA with the Yellow Jackets, while batting .257 at the plate with six doubles and 10 RBIs heading into the Class 2A Red Bud Regional in May.</span>
<span>Statistics from the regional had not been updated as of this writing.</span>
<span>"For him, it's a great accomplishment," said Chester High School coach Jeremy Blechle, who added assistant coach Billy Belton also played a part in Eggemeyer's connection to Shawnee. "You could say as a coach you have a small role, but Cody earned this for himself.</span>
<span>"Shawnee is getting quite the asset."</span>
<span>With Post 480, Eggemeyer finished 6-2 on the mound, including striking out 12 in a 2-1 loss to Sparta in the Harold Harmsen Wooden Bat Classic in July.</span>
<span>The 12-strikeout effort happened to occur with Shawnee coach Greg Sheppard in attendance.</span>
<span>"It came up quick," Eggemeyer said of the scholarship offer. "I had two other colleges (Southwestern Illinois College and Southeastern Illinois College) call me too, but I didn't expect a full ride. I'm glad I got it."</span>
<span>Eggemeyer will join a Saints program that went 13-17 last season as part of the NJCAA. Shawnee graduated its top two pitchers, Brad Potts (3.26 ERA) and Gavyn Ellet (3.58 ERA), after the season, but could return five other throwers who each had at least six appearances as freshmen.</span>
<span>"Not really sure," said Eggemeyer, when asked what Shawnee's plans are for him. "We have 16 scrimmages in the fall, so I imagine I'll be pitching a pretty good amount."</span>
<span>Eggemeyer throws a two-seam and four-seam fastball, with a changeup, curveball and slider.</span>
<span>"It depends on how the day goes," Eggemeyer said on which one is his best pitch. "My favorite to throw is my slider."</span>
<span>Academically, Eggemeyer will be in Shawnee's welding program. He will be sharing an apartment in Anna with two other teammates while in college.</span>
<span>"The welding program is in the morning from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and I've got one math class," he said. "It goes on through the summer, so I'll play baseball and then I'll be taking two or three classes in the summer."</span>
<span>In addition to the full ride, Eggemeyer also picked up another accomplishment.</span>
<span>"I'm the first one in my family to get a scholarship for sports," he said.</span>