<b>By Justin Jarrett</b>

<b>LowcoSports.com</b>

Paul Winland Jr. has been looking forward to living his dream of playing major college baseball. But he wasn’t ready yet.

Winland signed in the fall to play ball at the University of Missouri next season, fulfilling a lifelong dream, but first he had unfinished business with his Beaufort High squad.

The Eagles put together an outstanding regular season last year but made a disappointingly early exit in the postseason, losing a pair of one-run games to Brookland-Cayce.

They planned to come back with a vengeance, and Winland appeared to be poised for a big senior season. It was only two games, but he got on base four times in six plate appearances, including a double, a homer, and four RBIs.

Now he’s not sure when — or where — his next at-bat will come.

If the Eagles don’t get back on the diamond this season, it will be off to Mizzou for Winland, who started playing baseball in the backyard at age 3 with his father, Paul Sr.

Winland committed to the Tigers more than a year ago after a strong summer showing with 3n2 Baseball out of Charleston, and he continued his tear during his junior season with the Eagles.

The third baseman hit .356 with 26 RBIs last season, earning a spot on the All-Lowco Baseball first team.