Crestview's Lovelace to play baseball at Faulkner State

Crestview second baseman Derek Lovelace signed on the dotted line Tuesday to play baseball at Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette, Ala.

Lovelace, who hit .320 as a junior batting in the second spot in the lineup, is best known as a defensive specialist and that suits him just fine.

“I like to focus on defense because defense is really important, especially at that (the junior college) level,” he said. “There will be guys that can pick me up with their sticks (bats) so I really want to focus on defense.”

Lovelace was quick to accept the offer from Faulkner coach Wayne Larker for several reasons.

“It seemed like the place to be,” Lovelace said. “It’s the first community college I found that offers an associates (degree) in engineering, which is what I wanted to pursue. And I just like the way coach Larker runs everything.”

Larker, who was on hand to welcome his newest Chiefs' player, was quick to praise Lovelace.

“He has intensity — intensity level and hustle,” Larker said. "Anybody that consistently performs at the top level, even in practice, is the type of guy that I want.”

Larker is unsure of what position Lovelace will play, but it’s a safe bet to say that he will be somewhere in the infield at second, third or short. The one thing Larker is sure of is that Lovelace can play.

“It doesn’t take a draftable athlete (for professional baseball) to make a good team in junior college,” he said. “You don’t have to have that (professional) level of talent. He’s got some talent, of course, but he’s not 6-foot-4 and runs out of the world.

“But he’s got enough intensity and he’s got enough skills arm-wise and fielding and bat control.”

Bulldog baseball coach Tim Gillis said the Chiefs are getting a good player in Lovelace.

“He’s a team player first,” Gillis said. “Whatever you ask him to do, he’s going to do it to the best of his ability. He’s going to do it and be real good at it.

“What’s going to make him successful at the next level is that tenaciousness. He’s got a great passion for the game that you don’t see too much any more and he loves to work. Faulkner State is a great spot for him.”