CULLOWHEE ó Three players with Western North Carolina connections recently signed contracts ó and all three agreed to forfeit the remainder of their college careers to play professional baseball.

The signings included Greg Holland, Jordan Hotchkiss and Cole McCurry.

Holland, a McDowell High alumnus and a junior at Western Carolina University, signed with the Kansas City Royals and will forego his senior season at WCU.

The 10th-round pick was assigned to the Royalsí rookie-league club in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He declined to discuss financial terms of his contract, although he noted it was a fair deal and that the Royals are giving him a scholarship so he can finish college.

Meanwhile, Hotchkiss, an Erwin graduate and Brevard College junior, was a 31st-round pick who signed with the Cincinnati Reds.

The third player, McCurry, an Enka alumnus and Tennessee Wesleyan junior, was a 43rd-round pick who signed with the Balitmore Orioles.

Both Hotchkiss and McCurry were assigned to their clubsí respective rookie-league farm teams.