Nick Carson is hoping to have a strong enough sophomore season at Hinds Community College to land a baseball scholarship with a good four-year program next year.

That’s something two of his current Hinds and former Warren Central Viking teammates, Eric Douglas and Josh Gordon, have already done. Douglas signed earlier last fall with Nicholls State, a member of the Southland Conference, while Gordon inked with NCAA Division II power Delta State.

Carson, who is back to leading off and playing center field every day like he did at WC, is wanting something similiar. He’s been offered a scholarship by Mississippi Valley State and been recruited by Jackson State. So far, he’s holding out for better offers.

“I just want to keep my options open and see what develops,” Carson said. “I just think I can do better. We have a pretty complete team this year. One through nine, our lineup is pretty tough. It’s all about people stepping up in their roles.”

Hinds coach Sam Temple said he’s glad to see Carson bounce back from an up-and-down freshman season in which he hit .250.

“This year we’ve played him more in the outfield where last year he came in more as a relief pitcher,” Temple said. “He’s still going to be a major pitcher for us.”

Carson, though, is enjoying playing every day in center even though he’s also made two appearances as a reliever.

“I just took the approach that I just really needed to go out and play ball. Last year, I just put too much pressure on myself,” Carson said.

Gordon, who bats fourth and anchors Hinds’ middle defense at shortstop, had a superb freshman season. He batted .404 and was named a pre-season All-America by the National Junior College Athletic Assocation.

“I don’t really let stuff like that bother me,” Gordon said of the All America honors.

His sophomore season started off slow after he missed two games with a hamstring pull. But he was back in the lineup at last weekend’s Cliburn Classic at Bazinsky Field, getting an RBI in the Eagles’ 8-3 win over Panola College.

Gordon is glad to have next season and beyond already planned out.

“Delta State is a good program and it’s a good step for me. I just felt like I fit in good there,” he said.

He follows former WC standout Craig Newton, who started for three years at Delta State and led it to the 2004 NCAA Division II National Championship. He was a finalist in 2005 for the Boo Ferriss Award after being named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Year.

Gordon says he likely won’t be playing shortstop at DSU.

“More likely third or first,” he said.

Douglas, who bats third for Hinds and is now playing regularly in left field, is happy to be headed to the bayous of Louisiana to Nicholls State, which is located in Thibodaux.

“I have an aunt who lives in Houma, so I like the area. I also like the coaches and they showed me a real nice campus,” Douglas said.

For now, Douglas is concentrating on Hinds.

“We have dangerous hitters all through our lineup. I also like that I’m sticking with playing in left. It’s where I feel most comfortable,” Douglas said.

The Eagles have two other starters from Warren County in sophomore second baseman Jonathon Ettinger and freshman catcher Tyler Wells. Vernon Wolfe, another former Vicksburg High standout, is a reserve outfielder.

“It’s been a little tough, going from football to baseball,” said Wolfe, who started at wide receiver last fall for the Eagles’ football team. “I usually get to come in every other game.”