Poteau pitchers Bell, Sockey sign for college baseball
Poteau’s Coby Bell and Aiden Sockey signed for college baseball during a ceremony on Wednesday.
“These guys are great players, and I’m super excited that they’re going on. I can’t be more proud of either one of them,” Poteau baseball head coach Ryan Dill said.
Bell signed with Cowley Community College (Kan.), an NJCAA Division I program that competes in Region 6.
“It’s a good program. I fell in love with the coaches and the facilities,” he said. “I hope to make an impact.”
The Tigers went 3922 last year, reaching the NJCAA DI Plains District Tournament.
Bell threw 76 strikeouts in 61.2 innings (1.23 per inning) last season.
Bell plans to pitch as a middle reliever or closer in college.
“I really struggle to go past a certain number of pitches. Going in and relieving or closing a game would be best,” he said. “In those 15-30 pitches, I can throw a lot harder and better
Currently, Bell’s fastball is in the mid-80s. He believes he will get it beyond 90 mph in the next year.
His off-speed pitches are a changeup and a slider.
Bell was part of a 2022 Red Oak spring baseball
state championship team before transferring to Poteau.
Sockey signed with Seminole State College, an NJCAA Division I program that competes in Region 2.
“It’s great for player development, and it’s a great program all-around. I’m really just trying to get better and try to win somewhere,” he said.
The Trojans went 42-22 last season, winning the Region 2 Tournament and advancing to the district tournament.
Sockey threw 77 strikeouts in 54.2 innings (1.41 per inning) last season.
At SSC, Sockey plans to pitch in middle and long relief.
“I’ll stay between 20-30 pitches, maybe,” he said. “I typically close [games] during the summer, and I really like the closing role. I can come in and pitch every pitch max effort.”
Like Bell, Sockey believes he can throw as hard as he can in relief appearances.
Sockey’s fastball is in the mid-80s range. He hopes to have it at 90 mph by the end of the spring season.
Sockey made appearances for Greenwood (Ark.) on the mound as a
sophomore before transferring to Poteau and making significant strides last season. “I’ve got a fourpitch mix this year, so I should be able to really go at kids this year.”
Along with a newly-developed curveball, Sockey’s off-speed pitches include a changeup and a slider.
“I feel like I can throw them for strikes whenever I want. My changeup has really sinking action, going to the backfoot of a righty. My slider goes to the back foot of a lefty,” he said.
Both Bell and Sockey hope to play NCAA Division I baseball after their two years at their respective college.
Bell and Sockey were part of a Poteau team that went 25-12 last season and won two of four regional games.