Belhaven baseball player dies in crash – Jackson Clarion Ledger
A Belhaven baseball player was killed in a one-car wreck early Sunday morning, officials said.
Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman Brandon Fortenberry said Devin McCann, 21, was southbound on I-55 around the 43 mile marker just north of Brookhaven when his 2015 Toyota ran off the road.
Fortenberry said it appears that McCann overcorrected the vehicle and hit the guardrail, and from there it rolled over several times.
McCann was ejected, Fortenberry said.
Lincoln County Coroner Clay McMorris said McCann, of Glenolden, Pennsylvania, was pronounced dead on the scene around 5:30 a.m.
McCann was a senior at Belhaven, where he majored in sports administration. Those who knew him loved him, his coaches said.
“Our Belhaven family is extremely saddened this morning to wake up to the devastating loss of one of our bright young men,” said Belhaven baseball coach Hill Denson. “Devin was a great teammate and a great young man that we have lost too soon. It is devastating to break practice on Friday and know that he will not be joining us on the field with his laughter and enthusiasm on Monday. We ask that you please keep Devin, his family, and his friends in your prayers during this difficult time.”
In 2015, McCann played primarily at catcher in 24 games with 12 starts, hitting .257, with two home runs and eight runs batted in for the Blazers. McCann was the leading returner at catcher for the Blazers headed into the spring. He had previously spent two years at Cumberland County College, where he played on the 2014 Region 19 Championship team. At Cardinal O’Hara High School, McCann also played ice hockey.
“It was a pleasure to coach and know Devin McCann,” said assistant coach Josh Clarke. “Devin was an extremely hard worker and gave it his all on a daily basis for our baseball program. We send our thoughts and prayers to his great family during this tragic time.”
McCann’s loss is one that has already begun to impact the university’s family, said Scott Little, Belhaven vice president for Athletics.
“It was an honor to know Devin as part of the Belhaven family, and we ask for prayers of comfort and peace for his family and our campus community as we deal with this tragic loss,” he said.
McCann is the son Dan and Renee McCann, and has two siblings.
Contact Therese Apel at tapel@gannett.com or (601) 961-7236. Follow @TRex21 on Twitter.