With the signing of Kendall Hawkins, a two-year closer and infielder for the Cartersville High Purple Hurricanes baseball team, Bartow County now has four youths who will be taking their athletic skills to a Division 1 college next year.

Hawkins, a senior who was a member of Cartersville's 2009 State Championship baseball team, has signed a letter of intent to play with Kennesaw State University.

Earlier Cartersville punter Collin Barber and Adairsville pitcher Cody Kremer signed letters of intent to play with the University of Georgia. Woodland pitcher Robert Harris will play with College of Charleston.

Hawkins, who hit .375 and recorded 38 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched, throws in the low 90s, according to Kennesaw State officials.

Cartersville head baseball coach Stuart Chester said Kennesaw State is getting a talented player who contributes on the mound and also can help his team in an every day position.

"Kendall is a game-changer," Chester said. "He's the one that can make that great defensive play, get that game-winning hit or shut you down on the mound."

The coach said Hawkins is ready for the college game. "He's one that can contribute right off the bat."

He expects a major contribution from Hawkins, a right-hander, in the spring for the Canes.

"He was in our top rotation last year," Chester said. "This year he'll probably be one of our top pitchers and we'll have him play in the field as well.

"Kendall is a pure athlete. He has great character and great class. He can play any position on the field. He's a very reliable, accountable athlete."

Hawkins has been used primarily on the mound and in the infield, but his coach said he's capable of contributing in the outfield as well. "He can play anywhere in the infield. He played in the outfield as well for us last year. He won't have any days off."

The coach said Hawkins puts a lot of time in baseball. "He plays ball all summer long, all fall long and takes very few days off. If there's a disadvantage it's that he doesn't take any time off."

Chester said Hawkins considered a number of schools. "He felt like Kennesaw State is a great fit, and he wanted to sign early."

Hawkins, in his fourth year with the Canes, three years on its varsity as a starter, said he is very familiar with Kennesaw State. "I wanted to be close to home, and they gave me a pretty good scholarship. I figured that it would be the best fit for me."

The athlete also has played travel ball for years as a member of Team Elite, out of Athens.

Hawkins said he enjoys contributing as a pitcher and infielder -- playing primarily second and shortstop -- but said he prefers working from the mound.

Kennesaw State head baseball coach Mike Sansing, on the school's website, cited his versatility and said he is capable of contributing to the program as a pitcher and everyday player.

Sansing sees him as a stopper on the mound.

"He will usually throw in the low 90s and has developed a power slider that will be an out pitch at the college level," Sansing was quoted on the website as saying.

Hawkins said he learned the fast ball, slider and changeup through practice over time but also credited Chester with helping him hone his craft. He learned the game locally.

"I've pitched my whole life, probably since about age 10, playing rec ball with the Cartersville Recreation Department," he said.

He said his passion for the game started earlier. "My first word was ball, and it's been all ball ever since. I just love the game. I just love to do it."

At Kennesaw State, he said, he has definite plans for obtaining a degree with his scholarship. "I want to be a history major. I want to be a history teacher."

He said the opportunity to play ball at the next level is something he's hoped for a long time. "I dreamed I would be able to, and it's coming true now."