MURRELLS INLET, SC (WMBF) - There are five tools that make up a great baseball player. Speed on the base paths, a strong throwing arm, excellent defensive ability, hitting for power and hitting for average. St. James' Tanner English possesses each of those tools, and is leading the charge for his Sharks to win a state title.
Tanner's catch against Brookland-Cayce last week was certainly one of the best catches you will ever see on the high school level.
"I knew the fence was close, it's a small field, and I wasn't really worried about hitting the fence, but I ended up hitting the pole so it kind of hurt a little bit," said English.
His game is not defined by one catch though, he's been a leader of his St. James team that is one win from making it to the state championship.
"Sometimes it's his bat, sometimes it's his feet, sometimes it's his glove, it's something different every time," said St. James Head Coach, Robbie Centracchio.
Tanner agreed, adding, "If I don't have a good game at the plate I can help out in the field, and vice versa, and if I don't have a good game at all, then we have a strong enough team that they're all going to pick me up."
English hasn't needed to be picked up often, the senior is already committed to play for South Carolina next season, and is projected as a potential draft pick in this year's Major League Baseball draft.
While the sky is the limit for tanner's future, for now he just enjoys being one of the guys.
"Everyone out here we trust each other, we know each other. It's like we're all brothers. We come out here and have fun, it's awesome playing on a team like this," said English.
Before English turns his attention to the next level, he's got some unfinished business, trying to help St. James get their first ever state title.
"Last week was really hectic and crazy, but it was fun, I'm glad we can kind of chill this week and get some practices under our belt, hopefully come out with a win on Friday," said English.
"I've been here seven years now, every year we've said it, but this is the best team by far that we've ever had," added Centracchio.
Tanner and the Sharks will host AC Flora Friday night, a win will punch their ticket to the state title.
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