MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' features story of Pearl River assistant Drew LaBounty

POPLARVILLE — Pearl River assistant baseball coach Drew LaBounty was a standout baseball player at South Alabama who seemed destined to play professional baseball. While a foul ball forever changed his career trajectory, the Pensacola, Florida, native has kept baseball at the forefront of his life.

MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' featured a lengthy segment about LaBounty's life during Wednesday's show, focusing at length on the Wildcat's selflessness even in the immediate wake of surgery and the realization that his life would be very different.

LaBounty was hired to head coach Michael Avalon's staff during the summer.

"When we were looking to add a coach to our staff I received several calls on him from people in the baseball coaching circle," Avalon said at the time. "He could not have been more highly recommended by people I trust."

LaBounty is the son of legendary high school coach Richard LaBounty, who recently retired from Pensacola Catholic High School in Pensacola, after leading the team to three state titles and a perfect season in 2013, which was Drew's senior year.

After an all-state senior year at Catholic, LaBounty made an immediate impact at shortstop for USA.

LaBounty finished his collegiate career at USA with a .283 batting average, six home runs, 110 RBIs, 35 doubles and 22 stolen bases. The three-time All-Sun Belt selection played for the Bourne Braves in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League during the Summer of 2017 and was a draft selection of the Toronto Blue Jays — a subject that was another big focus on ‘Morning Joe’.

The reigning MACJC State Champions just wrapped up their fall schedule and will open the 2019 season Feb. 10 at home against Jefferson College.

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