WINDSOR – Dakota Young has the opportunity to continue his baseball career.

The Bertie High School senior will do just that after agreeing to play collegiate baseball at College of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City.

Young was one of 13 players, including three from eastern North Carolina, who committed to the Dolphins during a group signing at the school as the College of the Albemarle begins baseball play for the first time in 33 years.

“It was a chance to play college baseball and not be far away from home,” Young said as he explained his choice.

College of the Albemarle Coach Nobie Wilson made contact with Bertie Head Coach Randy Whitaker shortly after the former took the job at COA. Whitaker recommended Young, who Wilson saw pitch shortly afterward.

“Coach Wilson contacted me almost as soon as he got the job and made it clear he would like some local kids,” Whitaker said. “He came to see Dakota pitch and even though we lost, he pitched pretty well.

“Coach Wilson was impressed with him, especially because even though we were behind, he never looked at the scoreboard,” the coach added. “He kept his composure. I was proud of him for that.”

Young said he believed that focus and concentration was something he had learned while playing baseball at Bertie.

“I learned that I don’t need to show my emotions when I’m pitching,” he said.

Whitaker said that was something Young had learned during his senior year.

“He’s grown up so much in the last year and it shows on the field,” Whitaker said.

Young will major in criminal justice when he attends COA. He said the school as well as the baseball program made an impact on him as he was making his decision.

“I like the way the school looked as far as academics and I like that baseball is one of only two sports so everyone is into it,” Young said. “I also believe that Coach Wilson is about helping his players get better and move on to a bigger college.”

Young said he will spend his time at COA learning to be a better player and that he does hope to move on to a larger school once his time in the Dolphins’ uniform is done.

He also said he was pleased to be a part of the first class signing at COA.

“It feels pretty good to be a part of this class because I am a part of history,” he said.

Young will pitch and play the infield at COA.