Cobden’s Wiggs signs with Shawnee

Cobden High School’s Blake Wiggs signed a national letter of intent last week to play baseball at Shawnee  Community College near Ullin next season.

“I think he will help us with his speed and hitting from the left side of the plate,” Shawnee College baseball coach Greg Sheppard said. “We’re real happy to have him.”

Wiggs, a senior for the Appleknockers, had a .418 batting average last season. He hit 2 home runs, had 20 RBIs and had a .575 on base percentage.

The shortstop/pitcher made the first-team South Egyptian Conference squad last year and was named  Cobden’s most valuable player.

He played in the Southern Illinois Coaches Association East/West game last season.

“He can play down there,” Cobden baseball coach Blayne Smith said. “Playing Legion ball last summer boosted his confidence a lot.”

Wiggs played for the Murphysboro American Legion baseball squad this past summer.

Sheppard said he’s looking for Wiggs to contribute to the Saints team at one of the middle infield positions.