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Rex Brown

South Carolina District 1’s Britt Alexander, a former Daniel High School standout, connects for a base hit against Greenville during the Big League World Series on Saturday at the J.B. ‘Red’ Owens Complex in Easley.

EASLEY — His bags aren't packed, he hasn't begun to collect school supplies and he hasn't even started to think about what he needs to give his dorm room some character.

Obviously, South Carolina District 1's Britt Alexander hasn't put too much effort into getting ready for his move to Limestone College, which comes with good reason.

While legions of incoming college freshmen across the country are getting ready and gearing up for what they expect to be the best four years of their lives, Alexander is squarely focused on trying to help his team to a Big League World Series championship at the Red Owens Complex in Easley.

The former Daniel High School shortstop, now the starting second baseman for District 1, admits that he occasionally thinks about his Aug. 15 move-in date at Limestone, but tries his best to focus on bringing home a World Series title.

"I haven't really packed much for college or bought too much stuff for my dorm room," he said, laughing at himself. "I try not to think about that, and I just have to keep my mind on the game at hand."

And thus far in World Series play, Alexander has done a good job of doing just that, as he has helped District 1 to a 3-1 record, putting the host squad in a favorable position to advance to Saturday's 2 p.m. championship game, which will be televised by ESPN.

In fact, his head coach Gregg Powell said he has been impressed so far by what he's seen out of Alexander, saying that he has made an easy adjustment moving from shortstop to second base.

"Britt's been a pleasant surprise for us over there at second base," Powell said. "We knew he was a second baseman or had played some middle infield. We put him over at second, and Saturday night he just made some great plays over there and has continued to play well over there and deliver some hits for us."

Also factoring into that surprise is how little time Alexander and his team have actually been working together, as District 1 practiced from July 9-13, and again from July 19-24 before beginning World Series play.

"You can tell that he's had some tutelage and some coaching with the way he fields the ball," Powell said. "He'll make somebody a good second baseman at the next level."

Alexander also said that while the coaching staff has played a big hand in helping District 1 out to a quick start, the team members themselves have also gelled together more quickly than he could have expected.

"Everybody's pulling for everybody, and that's awesome," he said. "I've played on tons of summer teams, but I don't know if I've ever been on a team that has come together so quickly."

He's also had a familiar face around in former Daniel teammate Jerad Clark, who along with Alexander, are the first two Lions to represent the host team since the Big League World Series came to Easley in 2001.

Alexander said it's a unique honor and pleasure to be the first Daniel players on the team, and that is a byproduct of nothing more than a little good old-fashioned work.

"Just working hard and practicing, it all pays off," Alexander said. "It just shows you can come from Daniel, or you can come from Riverside, and you can get better and play at a high level."

And as Alexander and the rest of District 1 hope to play at a higher level each day, the host team is now setting its sights on the title game on Saturday. Should the team get that far, Alexander will have less than two weeks to get ready for school, not leaving him much time.

But that's fine by him, as all he really wants to think about is the World Series, and maybe a sort of decoration that he can always keep close to him – and maybe even his dorm room.

"This is the main thing on my mind right now, and I just have to stay focused on that because I'm definitely excited about Limestone," he said. "But this is definitely something I'd like to take with me, and a ring would go well with it."