Former CFHS standout takes aim at starting spot with Bulldogs

Hyams playing baseball at University of Georgia

The University of Georgia baseball team was runner-up in the College World Series in 2008. And despite the loss of several top players to the pro ranks, the Bulldogs are ranked fourth in the country in at least one pre-season poll with the start of the 2009 season just weeks away.

Georgia returns several top players, including All-American candidates Bryce Massanari (senior catcher/infielder) and Rich Poythress, a junior infielder.

Despite that experience there may be at least one true freshman in the starting lineup this spring for Georgia and it could be Stafford’s Levi Hyams, a 2008 Colonial Forge High School graduate.

Hyams saw a lot of action at second base for the Bulldogs during fall workouts. He hit .408 with eight homers for Colonial Forge as a senior in 2008.

“I always like to set my goals high. I like to push myself,” said Hyams while driving back to Georgia on Jan. 4, following the Christmas holidays. “My goal coming into (the University of Georgia) was to start somewhere. That was my main goal. I worked as hard as I could” in the fall.

Hyams said the team played about 29 intra-squad games prior to the Thanksgiving break.

“We played a lot of baseball. We all did well,” he said. “We brought in a lot of freshman. It is a big recruiting class. We are excited about that.”

The Georgia head coach is David Perno, who has led the Bulldogs to three trips to the College World Series since he took over before the 2002 season. He has a record of 251-184-1 (.577) with the Bulldogs.

“He is a really good coach,” Hyams said. “He will tell you straight up. That is what I like about him. He will not sugarcoat things. He is stern. When we come to practice it is all business. Then you got out and get it down in the classroom.”

Hyams took 15 credit hours during the fall semester and is interested in studying sports and exercise science. Both of Hyams’ parents grew up in Georgia and his mother played college basketball for the Bulldogs.

Among the players Georgia lost to the 2008 amateur draft are Gordon Beckham, the team’s shortstop in 2008 and the eighth overall pick by the Chicago White Sox last June. Hyams said that Beckham was around the Georgia campus a few times this past fall.

Michael Demperio played second base last season for the Bulldogs before he was injured. He made 47 starts in 2008, and Hyams said Demperio appears to be in line to start at short this season with the departure of Beckham.

Georgia opens the season Feb. 20 at home against Youngstown State. The Bulldogs are members of the Southeastern Conference, one of the top Division I leagues for college baseball.

“We know it is going to be tough,” Hyams said. “We know all of the SEC teams are going to grit their teeth. I feel like everyone will be shooting for us. We are the top dog in the SEC. It is going to be tough.”

David Driver is a contributor to the Stafford County Sun. Reach him at info@staffordcountysun.com.