Baseball: Hinsdale South’s Emmanuel Morris takes act to Villanova

Updated: February 21, 2012 7:22PM

Emmanuel Morris has been keeping busy during the offseason, but none of that will matter as the season approaches for the senior catcher from Hinsdale South.

Morris was crowned Prom King in the fall and was a finalist in the Mr. Hinsdale South Pageant earlier this month. But opposing pitchers will be unfamiliar with Morris’ fancy titles around school.

The senior from Willowbrook has been quite successful on the baseball diamond as well. He signed to play baseball next season at Villanova after choosing the Philadelphia area school over Michigan State and Bradley.

Morris took an unofficial visit in October and returned to Villanova in January for an official visit, where he also attended a basketball game against Marquette.

Morris doesn’t have a family connection to Villanova, but one of his cousins is a graduate student at nearby Penn.

“I like the players on the team and the coaching staff,” Morris said. “Villanova is also a top-notch institution.”

The Wildcats have only two other Illinois products on their current roster, freshman pitcher Josh Harris from Streamwood and junior pitcher Tyler Radtke from Stevenson.

Preseason practice for Hinsdale South begins Monday. The Hornets open the season against Wheaton Warrenville South March 20 in the debut for Hinsdale South’s newly renovated field.

Morris has played catcher for the Hornets (18-15 last season), but that role has been more out of necessity than ability. Morris said there are a couple of prospects in junior Grant Morford and senior Kyle Nelson, who may be able to play catcher this upcoming season since Morris has volunteered as a pitcher.

At Villanova, Morris said coaches have told him he can play just about anywhere.

“The coaches like my versatility,” Morris said. “They would like to see best where I can work in the lineup. I see myself playing more infield, thought I have the potential to play outfield. I have worked on that in practice.”

New Hinsdale South coach Paul Hoel led his new team through summer league and was able to see Morris’ debut as a pitcher at the varsity level. Morris also played third base and second base during the summer.

“I’ve been looking forward to the season all year, especially on the new field,” Morris said. “I think we have a good shot at the conference [title]. I look forward to it.”

Morris battled fellow seniors Delon Bowen and Mike Alsip in a Mr. Hinsdale South competition to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis through the school’s Athletes Committed to Excellence (ACE) club. The event was held as part of Turnabout. Brown won.

Morris wore baseball pants and a Villanova T-shirt for the event’s Future Wear competition, where contests dress representing a future dream or career they wish to pursue.

Mr. Hinsdale South also included a Formal Wear competition and Talent Show. Morris, a member of the school’s marching, concert and jazz bands, played his saxophone in a duet with Darren Miller on trombone while performing a cover of Foster The People’s “Pumped Up Kicks.”

Morris said Villanova does not offer a pre-med degree, but he would like to enter the medical field after his playing days are over. Morris also belongs to the school’s J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation, Peer Leadership Network and the National Honor Society.

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