Two of Alcovy baseball's brightest stars signed letters of intent to play in college Tuesday. Slugger Bowen Braswell will play at Georgia Perimeter College while hard-throwing right-hander Darius Hill will play at Gordon College in Barnesville.

Braswell is the Tigers' career leader in home runs with 20. In the program since his freshman year, the senior infielder-outfielder hit six home runs his freshman season and set a single-season record his sophomore year with 10 dingers. Hampered by lingering effects of a broken leg suffered while playing for the football team, Braswell hit a career-low four home runs last year.

Darius Hill, the younger brother of former Newton star and current Virginia Cavalier DJ Hill, hit the scene as a fireballer out of the bullpen for Newton in 2009 and spent his first two years as a Ram before transferring to Alcovy last year. He was a starter in Alcovy's rotation in 2011 and also played in the outfield when not on the mound. Along with his high 80s fastball and wicked slider, Darius Hill developed into a solid hitter, driving in 10 runs and hitting two home runs.

Alcovy won the Region 4-AAAA regular-season title two years ago and went to the Elite Eight. The Tigers missed the playoffs last year after falling to Whitewater in the region tournament in three games.

Alcovy begins its quest for a third state playoff berth Feb. 1