Bryant grad keeps sights set on majors

Bryant’s Evan Lee connects for a two-run home run against Conway during the Class 7A state championship game. Lee is the Tri-Lakes Edition Baseball Player of the Year.
Bryant’s Evan Lee connects for a two-run home run against Conway during the Class 7A state championship game. Lee is the Tri-Lakes Edition Baseball Player of the Year.

Bryant alum Evan Lee knows exactly what he wants to be when he grows up.

“I have known Evan since he was six-years-old,” Bryant Hornets baseball coach Kirk Bock said. “And even back then, he wanted to be a major league baseball player.

“And he has worked for that goal ever since that day.”

Lee, who was recently named the Tri-Lakes Edition Baseball Player of the Year, said becoming a professional baseball player is his ultimate goal.

“I want to play pro baseball,” Lee said. “I have worked my tail off and I am trying to continue to get better.

“I want to work on the things that I need to, and totally commit to getting to the big leagues. I’m going to do everything in my power to make it.”

Lee aided the Bryant Hornets to a fourth state championship this year and will continue his baseball career this fall at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

“I’ve always wanted to be a Razorback. It was a goal of mine,” Lee said. “I’ve been going to Razorback baseball and football games as far back as I can remember.”

Lee finished the season with a batting average of .462 with 31 RBIs, four home runs and 26 runs scored. On the mound, he was completely dominant with a 9-0 record and an ERA of 0.54 in 52 innings. He allowed four runs (all earned) with 18 hits, 16 walks and 80 strikeouts.

“So when I committed, it was a huge weight off my shoulders. It allowed me to relax this season,” he said.

Lee said getting to play for the Razorbacks is just another step in becoming a pro ball player.

“It’s like being on a Double-A baseball team,” Lee said. “The quality of arms and hitters they have in the league [Southeastern Conference], it gets you ready for pro ball.

“It is an awesome opportunity to play for the Razorbacks.”

Bock, who was named this year’s Tri-Lakes Edition Baseball Coach of the Year — recently stepped down as head coach for the Hornets to become the assistant athletic director for the school.

“Everybody works hard on the field, or else they won’t be on the field,” Bock said. “But the special ones work hard off the field by eating right, working on strength and conditioning and adapting our system.

“It has worked out for him.”

Lee will join Bryant teammate and future roommate Zach Jackson at UA.

“I knew I wanted to be at Arkansas in like five minutes,” Lee said. “For Zach, it was a little different. He wanted to make sure it was the right spot for him.

“But I was pushing him hard to go to Arkansas.”

Jackson finished the year 9-1 on the mound with an ERA of .40 in 70 innings pitched. He allowed eight runs (four earned) on 45 hits with 16 walks and 89 strikeouts.

“He has been one of my best friends since I moved to Bryant,” Lee said. “To be able to take a friend up to Arkansas and compete. It will be a fun experience.”

In the state tournament, Lee pitched a shutout over Springdale Har-Ber in the Class 7A semifinals and also went 3 for 3 — including a home run — with three RBIs against Conway in the title game. He finished 5 for 9 in the tournament with two triples, his homer and seven knocked in. He was the named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

“To cap this season off with a state championship, it is a reflection of Bryant baseball in a whole,” Lee said. “We start out as 6 years old, working our way through the program.

“All those guys, raise us and teach us the game. It is a reflection on them and the countless hours they put in.”

Lee said there is no other program like the one at Bryant.

“We play together all the way from T-ball to high school baseball,” Lee said. “The chemistry we get over the years, compare to the other programs, there is nothing like it.

“That’s why we have been successful over the years. I give all the credit to the youth programs.”

The Hornets finished the season 31-2 and was listed as the No. 2 ranked team in the nation in the USA Today Super 25 computer rankings. In addition, the Hornets remained No. 3 in the nation, according to the MaxPreps computer rankings released May 30.

Bock reached 600 career wins this season and was named Coach of the Year in the 7A/6A-Central conference.

“Coach Bock is one of the best in the country,” Lee said. “And has put in more hours than you possibly imagine.

“He is top tiered compared to the other guys.”

Travis Queck, who has been Bock’s assistant for the last four years and coached as a volunteer, will be the new head coach for Bryant. Lee said he imagines the Hornets will continue to be successful under Queck.

“The way the program is set up, it runs itself,” Lee said. “He’ll do exactly what Coach Bock did.”

Staff writer Sam Pierce can be reached at (501) 244-4314 or spierce@arkansasonline.com.

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