By Bart Moss / For the FCT

Phil Campbell’s Joe Hardy was awarded a scholarship last week at the AHSAA state baseball playoffs in Montgomery.

The scholarship was provided by the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association. Hardy was one of four recipients statewide.

“It was an honor to be awarded the scholarship,” said Hardy, whose high school career has been plagued by serious injuries. “I have been really blessed this year.”

The scholarship stemmed from a regional workout Hardy attended at Troy State last summer. He originally went to a tryout at the University of North Alabama and was selected to play on a team made up of student-athletes from across the state of Alabama. While at Troy, the student-athletes played in front of college and professional scouts for two days. More than 300 student-athletes were at Troy and had the chance to apply for the cash scholarship.

“I am really proud of Joe and his accomplishments,” said Phil Campbell baseball coach Jonathan Raper. “He has had to overcome a lot of adversity in his high school career. He is a great young man and has a great future ahead of him.”