SPANISH FORT, Ala. – Spanish Fort clinched its first state baseball title last spring in the second game of the AHSAA Class 5A championship series against Hartselle with a 4-1 win.

The man in the middle was Rocky McCord.

The senior Toros pitcher signed to play with Auburn University Nov. 16.

Spanish Fort head coach Tommy Walker said McCord's attitude is always team-first and his relaxed nature is good for the team, especially in tight situations.

"Rocky's more laid back and you need guys like that. He stays calm on the mound," Walker said. "He has that inner confidence that all the great pitchers have. He really came on in recent years and now he's at a point where he will be better in college than he is in high school."

Mechanically, McCord has all the tools as well.

"He has a good running fast ball around 89-91 (mph) and also throws a changeup, good curveball and sometimes a slider," Walker said. "And he throws all those for a strike on any count. He's not afraid to throw regardless of the count. He just knew how to pitch even as a kid before his velocity came up. And now that it has, he's really good and can play third and hit as well."

McCord led the Toros in season wins last year with 10 in 12 appearances. He recorded an earned run average of 2.05 with 77 strikeouts and had five complete games in 12 starts including the championship clincher last May where he struck out five and allowed only one run.

With the stick, McCord batted .425 with 10 doubles, five home runs and 33 RBIs. He was named to the 2010 all-county, all-metro and all-state teams.

Six players from Spanish Fort High have now signed a Division I scholarship in baseball under Walker since the varsity program started in 2005 and more may be signing later. Seven starters are returning for the 2011 season.

Rocky is the son of Rock and Bobbi McCord of Spanish Fort. He is considering a major in business administration.