WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Dominick McIntosh wanted to play baseball at Gray Collegiate Academy so he was willing to make the roughly hour trek one way from his home in Sumter to the West Columbia campus.
That was in his freshman season when his father, who worked in Columbia, would drive his son to school.
The last three years has seen McIntosh make the drive himself although his junior season was cut short after five games due to COVID-19.
But after making countless trips up and down Highway 378, McIntosh's next school will be in his back yard.
McIntosh signed with USC-Sumter Tuesday morning in a ceremony at the school. USC-Sumter is led by former Newberry College Tim Medlin who is also a former head coach of the Columbia Blowfish.
The ace of the Gray Collegiate pitching staff, McIntosh was 17-3 with a 1.98 ERA as the War Eagles made it to the Class 2A District Final where they lost to eventual state champion Legion Collegiate.
For McIntosh, he will be at USC Sumter for at least one if not two seasons. After that, he hopes to have developed to the point where Division One coaches will take notice. No doubt, McIntosh will make sure those coaches are aware of his literal drive to succeed.