Merritt Evans, a senior, has played baseball all 4 years at Effingham County High School. The Georgia High School Association cut the baseball season 
short like all spring sports because of COVID 19 pandemic. In which was Evan’s last as a Rebel. Merritt was still dominating on the mound as he had an ERA going into region play under 2.00. This season, Merritt began with some top honors, being named to the Georgia Dugout Club’s Pre-Season All-State team and the Rawlings Perfect Game Pre-Season All-Region Team.
In 2019, Merritt was a 1st Team All Region Pitcher (12-1 record, ERA 1.86) and named to the FCA All-Star Team Selection. Evans’ team, the Rebels, won the Region Championship in 2019 and made it to the Final Four last year.
Evans baseball career began playing tee-ball at an early age. Merritt played other sports as well such as football, basketball, and tennis. Evans’ stated, “I ultimately settled on baseball because I loved it the most and felt I had the best chance at a future in baseball beyond high school.”
Merritt says “I’ve had many people who love and support me and who have positively influenced me throughout my baseball career, but I’d have to say that Coach Chris Johnson has had the most influence on me, especially over the last 2 years. He believed in me, trusted my abilities and gave me opportunities that others had not. He has taught me so much, not only on the field, but off, by being such a positive, Godly example for me to look up to.”
Effingham County High School baseball Head Coach Chris Johnson reflected 
on Merritt’s Rebel career. Coach Johnson said, “He is a tremendous player but a greater person. He has been a genuine leader. Merritt was a locker-room leader, he expected to be the best, and the same from his teammates.” Coach Johnson stated that Evans had a lot of vigor, is intense and high level of competitiveness. “A game situation I will always remember about Merritt is from last year’s playoffs. He struck the side out and came off the field pumped. I mean, he was bouncing off the dugout walls. I had to grab him to clam him down. He is such a competitor,” said Johnson. “I have the utmost respect for Merritt and we will miss him a lot in the locker room and on the field.”
Merritt said he has been a successful student athlete because, “I have a very supportive family and friends who all push me to be the best I can be in everything I do in baseball and in the classroom. Without their love and encouragement, I 
couldn’t do what I do, no matter what the talent or abilities I have.”
Evans will take his talent and competitiveness to the next level. Merritt committed to play baseball back in December as a pitcher at Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina.
