Smith-Cotton’s Hagedorn to Play Baseball for Jefferson College

Smith-Cotton senior Nick Hagedorn, 17, signed a letter of intent to play baseball for the Jefferson College Vikings on Tuesday.

He and his parents, along with S-C baseball coaches, administration and a handful of baseball teammates, gathered in the Media Center Tuesday afternoon for a ceremonial signing.

“I've been playing baseball ever since I could walk,” Hagedorn said. “We moved up from Texas when I was in the 6th grade, and I started playing travel ball in Springfield (Mo.), playing with the Midwest Nationals, then the Southern California Bombers, then I started playing high school baseball as a freshman (at S-C) and started all three years so far (on the varsity team).”

The award-winning catcher has received post-season honors – All-Conference, All-District – during his freshmen, sophomore and junior years. After his freshmen year, Hagedorn was named captain of the team.

The signing also includes a two-year scholarship, with his A-Plus credentials. The Jefferson Vikings, based out of Hillboro, Mo., south of St. Louis, have posted some pretty impressive credentials historically as well, winning the JUCO World Series in 2002, 2011 and 2012, winning the Region 16 championship six times and the MCCAC championship 20 times since 1984.

Baseball is Hagedorn's sole sport, and it looks like he's ready to take it to the next level after he finishes his final year with the S-C baseball Tigers.

He is the son of Tony and Aubrey Hagedorn of Sedalia.

S-C head baseball coach Kyle Zimmerman said the advancement to Jefferson College is exciting. “I think it's very well-earned and well-deserved. Nick was a freshman my first year as an assistant coach here, so we've kind of gone through this whole process these last four years together,” Zimmerman said, “so it's really exciting to see these guys, not only Nick, but we've got a couple of other guys who will have an opportunity. So it's really neat.”

Coach Zimmerman noted that Hagedorn played a little 2nd base, but this season, he will exclusively be a catcher for Smith-Cotton, which is the position he will play at “JeffCo.”

One other S-C baseball player has signed already. Gavin Jones signed to play for State Fair Community College. Zimmerman added that there may be up to two more players signing to play college ball this academic year.

S-C baseball practice begins the last week of February and the first game is scheduled for the third week of March, Zimmerman noted.

Pat Evers, Jefferson College baseball head coach, said, “We are thrilled to add Nick to our program.  We had a huge need for adding a catcher to our recruiting class this year and feel like Nick is a perfect fit for us both on and off the field. We are looking for him to come in and make an immediate impact for us at a very important position.”

In the lead photo: Seated with Nick Hagedorn him are his parents, Aubrey and Tony; back row, from left, S-C High Assistant Principal Robin Wyatt, S-C baseball assistant coach Brent Hodge, S-C baseball head coach Kyle Zimmerman, S-C strength and conditioning coach Jeremy Bartz, and S-C Athletic Director Rob Davis.