In his first three years at South Carolina, Brison Celek lived with three teammates on the Gamecocks’ baseball team: first baseman Christian Walker, centerfielder Evan Marzilli and relief pitcher Tyler Webb.
They arrived together in the fall of 2009, hoping to pursue their dreams. They did just that. They were members of the 2010 and 2011 national championship squads, though Celek redshirted in 2011, and the 2012 group that finished second at the College World Series.
The foursome was split up after Walker and Marzilli left school early, following the 2012 season, when they were drafted in the fourth round by the Baltimore Orioles and the eighth round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Webb finished his career in 2013, spending one season as the Gamecocks’ closer before the New York Yankees picked him in the 10th round earlier this month.
Only Celek had eligibility remaining (one year), because he was a fourth-year junior in 2013. But Celek, a designated hitter who was drafted in the 31st round by the Toronto Blue Jays, said he has decided to skip his senior season and turn pro.