Drew DeMint has loved baseball ever since he could swing a bat.

That was about four years old, according to DeMint, and his life has been filled with baseball going into his senior season at Mexico. DeMint signed to continue his career at Columbia College during a ceremony on Thursday in Gary Filbert gym.

DeMint said he has played travel ball since eight years old and devotes six months in the year to playing baseball. When he had a chance to go to a program like Columbia College — who regularly wins 30 games a season and has 40 wins in two of the previous three years under Mexico native Darren Munns — the upcoming business major DeMint said he had to seize the opportunity.

Drew DeMint Signing Ceremony Photo Gallery

“They have had a really good program for 10-12 years,” DeMint said. “The things I have heard about them are really good. It’s local so it’s not too far.”

DeMint is giving Columbia College a solid recruit as he has been all-conference and all-district the past two years with one more season left. He is coming off a junior season where he finished with a .440 batting average, 43 hits, 32 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, nine doubles and seven triples at the plate and a 3-1 record with 24 strikeouts and four saves on the mound.

Mexico head coach Daniel McCarty said DeMint was impressive as a starting freshman as well with a .300 batting average, 25 hits and 12 RBIs. He said it was clear from the start that DeMint had something. 

“Drew has natural talent, speed and instinct,” McCarty said. “There haven't been very many starters as freshmen coming through our program in the last 10 years. He came in as a freshman here and showed us something.”

DeMint has been a good football player as well, earning all-conference nods as a running back and defender for multiple seasons. However, DeMint said baseball was the sport for him. 

His parents, Mitch and Heather, played baseball and softball in their careers, with Heather going to play softball at William Woods. DeMint’s sister and current Mexico student teacher, Taylor, also played softball. He said his father showed him support along with the various coaches he has had.

“My dad knew a lot about hitting,” DeMint said. “We would always hit together, and he coached for five years when I was young.”

DeMint has filled several important roles for the Bulldogs as a middle of the order hitter last season, the center fielder and a pitcher who is counted on in high-leverage situations. He has thrived in all of these situations with a certain mindset.

“It takes a lot of focus,” DeMint said. “Just know you are better than everybody else. Put that in your head so you can go out there and perform better than everyone else.”

McCarty said he expects DeMint to have a great senior season, which could possibly include all-state recognition. 

“If he’s not in center field or on the mound at the time, he’s going to be in the dugout rooting on his teammates,” McCarty said. “That’s the kind of player he is. He will push the kids to do better. That’s always good to have.”

DeMint said he is grateful to all of his coaches, including McCarty, Gavin Jones and Michael Eldridge at Mexico, for helping become a college baseball player. He is hoping he can make more memories this spring after making some good ones already. As a freshman, DeMint said he enjoyed making a run through districts by beating Moberly and Hallsville before falling short 2-1 to Macon in the district title game. 

In those past moments, DeMint has been a key contributor and intends on being that in the future.

“Just keep practicing,” DeMint said. “If you have a bad game, don’t stress about it. Just watch film and watch for the little things.”