Warriors standout Hyder signs with Milligan

By Tim Chambers
Elizabethton Star

Milligan didn't have to look hard or far to land one of the top baseball players in Northeast Tennessee.

The Buffaloes signed Happy Valley's Cody Hyder to a baseball scholarship on Tuesday before family and friends at the school.

Hyder joins former fellow Warriors Todd Caldwell and Ricky Morgan on the squad.

Hyder has been a standout player over the past two seasons. As a sophomore he was All-Conference, batting 303 including four triples and eight doubles.

During his junior season, Hyder batted .311 with eight triples and seven doubles plus 33 runs scored. He was named to the All-Conference squad, the All-Carter County team and was selected as athlete of the year at Happy Valley.

In two seasons he's totaled 102 putouts while committing only two errors.

Current Happy Valley head coach Steve McKinney said Hyder is a great find for Milligan.

“He is one of the best kids I've ever been around, a ‘yes sir, no sir' guy,” McKinney said. “He goes hard every day, game or practice, He's just one of those kids you can count on and hang your hat on. Cody does so many things for us. He's an excellent centerfielder, one of the best I've ever seen, plus he's a very good hitter. With his speed and strong arm, Cody's a complete baseball player. I really believe that Milligan College got a steal.”

Getting Hyder to sign with Milligan was very special for head coach Nathan Meade. The rising senior lives within five minutes of Milligan College and playing for the Buffaloes has been his lifetime dream.

“Cody's a first class kid, not only athletically but academically,” Meade said. “He comes for a great family and is the type of kid that any coach would want in his program. He's a poster child for what we at Milligan try to do."

Meade believes that Hyder has yet to reach his potential and has the makings of being a standout baseball player.

“We think Cody's going to grow and get stronger. I feel like he's still got a lot left in his tank. He can run and track the ball down which is a huge plus he is a very versatile player. He could end up in left or right field. It doesn't matter to Cody, he just wants to play.”

Hyder said that wearing the Buffalo uniform was always something he wanted to do.

“It's a dream come true. I've wanted to play there since my freshman season.” Hyder said. “Having Todd and Ricky over there was a huge factor. I'm 2.3 miles away from school. I have a chance at getting a great education, plus I'm getting to do something that I've always wanted to do.”

Hyder thanked several people, including his parents and grandparents for supporting him over the years.

“Dad, mom and my sister, Shellie, have always been there and so have my grandparents, Shelby and Linda Williams. I also want to thank the Happy Valley coaching staff, my summer baseball coaches, Rusty Chambers and Tim Chambers, and my weight lifting coach, Alex Campbell. Coach Bernie Young has helped me some along the way.”

Meade was all upbeat about landing Hyder.

“This is great because we want to recruit players in our own backyard. There is enough talent around here where you don't always have to go 500 miles away. It's a bid day for us and a big day for Cody. He has a bright future ahead of him as a Buffalo.”

Hyder said Milligan was an easy choice for him.

“It's a great academic and baseball school, plus it is chose to home. I plan on going into pre-pharmacy and see how that works out.”

Hyder's parents, Nina and Tommy, were pleased with Cody's choice.

“I'm just happy that I will be able to watch him play and have him close to home,” said Nina.

Tommy added, “We're happy to be a part of the Milligan group and are grateful for the opportunity that Cody has been given. We look forward to supporting his endeavors.”