CHECKING IN WITH ... ELIJAH MORTON
(Editor's note: The Day will be publishing a profile of a spring athlete for each day the high school athletic season is suspended.) School: Ledyard Class: Senior Sport: Baseball Position: Shortstop College choice: Mitchell College Chosen major: Undecided Athlete you grew up admiring: Derek Jeter Favorite high school class: Math Checking in with Elijah: Morton, who also plays basketball for the Colonels, knew Mitchell was the right spot for him immediately. "I went in to do a tour of the school and a few players from the team offered to take me on a tour. I felt comfortable around them and already felt part of the team. Along with a great coach (Travis Beausoleil)," he said. What you need to know about Elijah: Morton was especially looking forward to his senior year. A knee injury denied him a chance to get on the field for a while. "I couldn't wait to get back," he said. "... (I was looking forward to) going out there and giving everything I've got, especially this year being my last year of high school ball. I will definitely miss playing with everybody that I've played with at Ledyard High School." Morton is rarely called "Elijah" by his coaches. It's mostly his nickname, "Speedy." He lists the best moment of his baseball career as happening during his sophomore year: "Going to the state semis," he said. That year, Ledyard went on the road and defeated Lewis Mills in Burlington in the Class M quarterfinals. The Colonels fell in the semifinals, but had definitely made their mark under coach Scott Chiasson. Morton, who has started for Ledyard since his sophomore season, plays AAU ball for the Connecticut Canes and lists defense as his favorite part of baseball. "There's just something about ground balls that I love. When I was little my dad always used to throw odd-shaped balls that would bounce everywhere and I would have to field it. It was a drill that I did consistently," he said. Morton's dad, Harvey, is on Dave Cornish's basketball staff at Ledyard. Morton lists "game night" with his family as one of his favorite hobbies and activities.