By Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
Photos submitted by family
Just two years ago, Chase Williams was roaming the outfield for the Stanhope Elmore Mustangs’ baseball team as they advanced to the Class 6A semi-finals. Williams spent his freshman season at Northwest Florida Community College and earned 2nd team All-Conference honors and was named a Gold Glove winner for the Florida College System Activities Association. He also played in the NJCAA Division 1 baseball championship game.
After the successful freshman season, he moved on to Florida State University. As a sophomore, Williams played in and started 32 games for the Seminoles.
“It was a blessing playing at Florida State,” said Williams. “It’s every kid’s dream to play at a power five school.”
Williams contributed significantly to a Florida State team that had a record of 42-16, was the runner-up in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and advanced to the NCAA Super-Regional. In the NCAA Super-Regional at Oregon State, Williams had a home run and three hits.
For the season, Williams had a batting average of .342 and led the Seminoles with 18 stolen bases on 20 attempts. Williams also hit two home runs and had 20 RBIs on the season. He had three game winning hits and scored one game winning run.
The Millbrook native cited the most memorable game of his sophomore season as the game when Florida State beat Clemson in extra innings. In that game, Williams had four hits against the Tigers, who were ranked #3 in the nation at that time. Just two days later, Williams stole a base and had two hits and two RBIs against Clemson.
Williams said the road trip to Virginia Tech had some amazing sites. In that series, the Seminoles swept Virginia Tech.
After the big sophomore season, a lot will be expected of Williams as a junior.
“My goal for next year is to have everyone know who Chase Williams is,” said Williams.
Williams has spent the summer recovering from a torn labrum that occurred earlier in the season.
“I have been home a couple times,” said Williams. “I usually go on weekends. That way I can do PT during the weekdays.”
