STAFF REPORT
Last week, former Hays High School baseball player Reuben Miller, Jr. signed an athletic scholarship to continue his baseball career with Oauchita Baptist University in Arkansas.
Miller, a 2011 graduate of Hays, played in his junior and senior seasons under former head coach Doug Ragsdale. In 2010, Miller was the starting second baseman, where he held a batting average of .427. In addition, he was a part of the Rebel team that reached the Regional Semifinal round of the playoffs, where they fell to eventual state champion Brenham.
During his senior season, Miller started at shortstop and led the team in home runs, RBIs and stolen bases. Miller lettered in baseball in his junior and senior seasons at Hays; he also earned Second Team All-District honors from 17-4A as a junior and 27-4A as a senior.
For the past two years, Miller attended Marion Military Institute (MMI) in Marion, Alabama. Founded in 1842, MMI is the oldest military junior college in the United States. In collegiate athletics, MMI participates in the Alabama Community College Conference at the Division I level of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
During his two-year stint at MMI, Miller was a starter, playing at multiple positions, including third base, shortstop and at right field. Statistically, Miller accrued a .273 batting average, with 41 runs on 82 hits and 38 RBI’s in 300 at bats. He also hit eight doubles and earned a home run during his two years at junior college.
The experience stuck with Miller, who remembered the adherence to discipline at the military academy.
“The military academy atmosphere was felt both on and off the field,” Miller said. “Practices were fierce; with mandatory formation and practice, it felt like we were taking part in three-a-days.”
Yet, the adherence of a strong work ethic at MMI helped Miller ready himself for life at Oauchita. According to Miller, MMI helped instill better time-management skills, along with the discipline to work hard in the classroom and on the field.
While he is ready to make the transition to the next level, he is still getting used to life outside of the military academy.
“It is kind of hard to say if I miss MMI yet,” Miller said. “I just know I have to accept it.”
In May 2013, Miller earned his Associates Degree in Science from MMI.
Miller is a projected starter for Oauchita Baptist University, and will have two more years of eligibility left.
“I am excited to begin play with the [Ouachita] Tigers,” Miller said. “To continue playing the sport I love at this level is a dream. It is great to have an opportunity to play at such a great school.”
On the field, Miller hopes to help his new ball club claim a conference championship. In the classroom, Miller hopes to continue keeping his grades up, maintaining a 3.0 to 3.5 GPA.
In addition, Miller will major in Computer Sciences, and hopes to obtain a job in the Information Technology field after college.
Oauchita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and competes in the Great American Conference at the Division II level of the NCAA.
