JAY W. BENNETT The Marietta Times Williamstown’s Bradan Mullenix throws a pitch during a high school baseball game last season at St. Marys. Mullenix signed Wednesday to continue his baseball and academic career at Alderson Broaddus.

WILLIAMSTOWN — Bradan Mullenix soon will be going from a Yellowjacket at Williamstown High School to a Battler at Alderson Broaddus University.

The 6-foot-3 Mullenix, who earned seven athletic letters at WHS, signed his national letter of intent on Wednesday afternoon at the high school to play baseball for the Battlers of head coach Matt Yurish in Philippi.

“I was looking at a couple other colleges, but when I went to a prospect camp there and then I went on that official visit it just felt like home,” admitted Mullenix, who projects as a third baseman for the Battlers.

“It just felt really comfortable. I definitely am going to miss Williamstown, but Philippi is not a very big place.”

Mainly a shortstop/pitcher this season for ‘Jacket skipper Terry Smith, Mullenix is a four-year starter on the diamond and earned three letters in football for coach Smith.

“I’ve had him in phys(ical) ed(ucation) classes since he was in seventh grade,” Smith noted. “Of course, he played inside linebacker for us too in football.

“Not much intimidates Bradan. He’s gotten a lot taller. But even when he was a little guy he wasn’t intimidated. He just worked at it (baseball) and he’s a good football player.”

Mullenix, who carries around a 3.9 cumulative GPA, said he plans to major in biology and perhaps become a fisheries biologist.

As a sophomore, Mullenix held down the hot corner all year for Williamstown, which lost in the Class A regional final that season.

“It’s like he’s been around here for a long time,” quipped coach Smith. “The first year I came to Williamstown his dad was our catcher. I’ve known them for years and actually Bradan’s grandfather bought us the batting cage we still use inside.

“Bradan’s 6-3 and a man now whereas before he was just a little kid. He takes charge. He’s good just because he works at it. He puts the time in. He lifts weights and he takes ground balls and throws and just does everything you’re supposed to do.”

The Yellowjacket senior only made the one official visit to AB. Although coach Smith thinks Mullenix could pitch some in college if he can develop his changeup, the ‘Jacket is more than content just playing third base.

“I’m very excited,” Mullenix said of getting the opportunity to play the sport he loves for another four years at the Division II level. “It’s always been my dream ever since I was a little kid to play college baseball.

“Probably my sophomore year I felt like I was doing pretty good and I was getting some looks. I’m happy with playing third base.”

Coach Smith knows Mullenix most likely could help out the Battlers at just about any position they would need him at.

“He’s got really soft hands,” Smith added. “If you can play shortstop you can play anywhere. He’s just a ball player. He’s a guy who can play ball and he’s going to know what to do just because he’s been around it forever. He’s just a baseball player in all honesty.”

Mullenix said one of his most memorable moments was blasting his first career home run last year at Dick Fleek Field in Elizabeth against host Wirt County.

Valued by coach Smith for “his leadership,” Mullenix just wants to continue playing the sport he loves and try to help his teammates reach this year’s Class A state tournament.

“I feel like I have a decent glove and a decent bat, but there is always room for improvement in every aspect,” he said.

“I need to get a little quicker and faster. I don’t really want to get out of Williamstown. I like it here, but I’m definitely excited to go to Alderson Broaddus.”

As far as making the adjustment to being a collegiate student-athlete, Mullenix added “I know it’s going to be a little tough sometimes to do all my schoolwork, baseball practice and going away for games, but I’ll manage.”