LIVINGSTON TO PLAY BASEBALL AT SHAWNEE C.C.

Two years ago, the Kelly High baseball program was solid if not spectacular.

Then John Livingston showed up.

After transferring into the Kelly school system his junior year from Shawnee High School, located in Wolf Lake, Ill., the Hawks became arguably the most successful baseball team in the area. Kelly placed third in Class 2A last year and this year won its second straight district title with a 20-5 record.

Now the graduated senior will be taking his talents back across the Mississippi River to play baseball for Shawnee Community College. Last Friday, Livingston signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Shawnee.

"He did an outstanding job for us," said Kelly coach Mike Scott. "The key to having a good offense is having a good leadoff man."

Livingston certainly qualified as such in his two years as a starting infielder for the Hawks. This past season, Livingston batted over .330 with team-leading totals of 30 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. He also walked 11 times.

"John can hit the ball or battle a pitcher to get on base," said Scott. "And when he gets on, he knows how to steal a base. When he got on, he got around the bases."