FAIRHOPE, Alabama — Fairhope's Chase Domino signed a scholarship Monday to play baseball for East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss.

The senior center fielder hit nine home runs, 13 doubles, one triple and drove in 50 runs in his senior year and hit .403 while helping to lead the 2012 Pirates all the way to the 6A state championship series.

“What can you say about a guy who averages nine home runs a year, 50-60 RBIs a year,” asked Pirates head coach Stu Fuller. “Needless to say he'll be missed. That's a huge portion of an offense. Two of the three years (as a starter) he hit over .400. When you do that with the schedule we play, that's pretty good.”

As Domino's consistency at the plate grew, so did his walk count, including intentional passes as opposing coaches simply told their pitchers to keep the ball away.

“How often did he see strikes in a game," Fuller asked, rhetorically, “He did not get a lot to hit depending on the situation. And that's what I was most proud of: When he learned to command the strike zone and when they were not going to throw him a strike, being patient enough to not get himself out.”

Domino said making it to the championship finals was a dream come true that, even though it did not end the way he and others hoped, it was worth the effort.

“I've learned a lot from this team, I think everybody on it learned a lot this year. Everybody from the guys who weren't considered starters this year to the guys who just worked hard together for that goal and it got us there. I wouldn't trade this year for anything. And I just want to thank the whole team, my parents, coach (Stu) Fuller and everybody in the community that came out and supported us—and our reporters,” he added with a laugh.

Fuller added that Domino was literally a standout, showcase player that gets noticed by scouts and coaches even when he is in a big group of very good players.

“Just from the ball off the bat, the power, being so graceful in the outfield with the quick first step, he really is a standout player. And that's what he's been for us and he's been on some pretty good teams with Division I talent. But he fits right in there. I'm just very proud of Chase, he had a great senior year. He had some things to

work on coming in and he did. He got better and improved his game and his stock."

As a three-year starter at Fairhope, Domino collected 28 home runs, 145 RBIs, 31 doubles and six triples.

The son of Chuck and Tammie Domino, Chase was also the Pirates' starting quarterback for two years. As a senior he finished with 2,090 yards passing including 19 touchdowns.