Ford to walk on at Arkansas St.; Moore signs with Southeast

After improving his game in the junior college ranks, Josh Ford has met his goal of getting a crack at Division I baseball.

Ford, a 2003 Central High School graduate, recently committed to play for Arkansas State University, where he will join the program as a recruited walk-on.

"I'm very excited," Ford said. "I really wanted to play Division I, and I'm very fortunate to get the opportunity."

Ford played first base and designated hitter the last two seasons at Southern Union Junior College in Alabama, hitting .430 as a sophomore. He is also playing this summer with the Plaza Tire Capahas.

"Playing in junior college really helped develop my game," Ford said. "So has playing with the Capahas, and it's been a lot of fun playing with them."

Arkansas State, located in Jonesboro, went 33-23 in 2005 to compile the fourth-highest single-season win total in school history.

"They've got a good program going and the competition down there is definitely tough," Ford said. "I visited the campus and loved it. It's really nice."

Even though Ford will be battling for competition against numerous scholarship athletes over the next two years, he said ASU coaches told him he'll receive a fair opportunity in the battle for playing time.

"I feel pretty good about the situation, and hopefully I'll be able to go down there and play," he said.

Moore to Southeast

Robby Moore, in his second season as the Plaza Tire Capahas' starting shortstop, recently signed to play at Southeast Missouri State.

Moore, a graduate of Twin Rivers High School in Broseley, Mo., played the past two seasons at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo. He batted better than .350 for the junior college this year.

"I'm happy about coming to SEMO," Moore said. "I know several of the guys from playing with the Capahas, and this will give my mom and dad a chance to see me play."

Said Southeast coach Mark Hogan: "We're really happy to get Robby. Short and second will be a vital area for us, and he'll definitely have a chance to contribute."