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Moffat County’s Hugh Turner signs to play baseball for Michigan school

Andy Bockelman
Hugh Turner III, seated, signs a letter of intent Friday morning at Moffat County High School to play baseball for Finlandia University, in Hancock, Michigan. He is joined by, from left, coach Justin Folley, parents Hugh Turner, Jr. and Susan Turner and MCHS Athletics and Activities Director Mike Mitchell. Turner will play center field on the college team and plans to study sports medicine, physical therapy and sports management. In his senior season for the Bulldogs, he led the team in RBIs and was named an All-Conference First Team selection for the Western Slope League.
Andy Bockelman

Hugh Turner, recent graduate from Moffat County High School, committed this week to play baseball for Finlandia University, a private school on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Hugh will be receiving a partial scholarship for the NCAA Division III school, where he plans to study sports medicine, physical therapy and sports management, possibly achieving a doctorate in the former two programs.

“I’m hoping to go as far as I can,” he said. “It’s really interesting stuff.”



He considered a couple other alternatives, including a school in San Francisco and a year of classes at Colorado Northwestern Community College, but he believes getting started in the right program will be crucial.

“I like the idea of a change of scenery,” he added.



The former Bulldog will play center field for the college’s Lions, his primary position while at MCHS, though he was put to use in many capacities this year, including pitching.

During his senior year, Hugh recorded a .429 batting average and led the team in RBIs with 21 in a season that saw Moffat County reach the playoffs for the first time since 2011. He was named All-Conference First Team in the Western Slope League, along with teammates Phillip Chadwick, Brett Loyd and Honorable Mention Connor Knez.

Hugh’s younger brothers, Spencer and Josh, were also critical components of the varsity team and will continue on in coming years.

“You don’t see a kid work as hard as Hugh does and put the time in over four years,” coach Justin Folley said. “He’ll be a solid outfielder to any team he goes to.”

Hugh’s mother, Susan, said her son has been striving to be a serious ballplayer since age 6.

“He’s always been focused on it,” she said.

For Hugh’s father, who shares his name, the experience is a proud one. The elder Turner had an offer to play the sport at Temple University but balked at the idea of moving across the country.

“I’m still kicking myself for that, but I’m tickled my son’s got the guts and the drive to go for it,” he said.

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.


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