When a high school kid takes the country by storm on 'American Idol' and skyrockets into the realm of major headlining tours and celebrity status, it's easy to forget that they're still what they were before -- a high school kid. 'Idol' champ Scotty McCreery is reclaiming a bit of his before-the-fame life, having recently rejoined his high school baseball team, stepping up as a pitcher for the Garner Trojans in Garner, N.C.

Though McCreery made the team in 2010, his rise into the spotlight put his athletic dreams on hold for awhile. Now back on the roster, McCreery stood in to throw his first game Saturday afternoon (March 10) for the varsity team, pitching the seventh inning of a game that ended with the Trojans barely losing at 8-7 against Fuquay-Varina, one of the best teams in the area.

On his part, McCreery wound up and struck out the first batter with three curveballs, later striking out another batter and finishing the inning with two strikeouts and no hits or runs allowed. Pretty impressive for a kid who's been wielding a mic rather than a ball and glove for the past year.

"It feels good just to come out here and just get back on the field," McCreery told the Charlotte Observer. "I thought my curveball worked well. But today was just about the team. I'm glad to help out the team in any way possible." After the game ended and McCreery took his turn raking the dirt about home plate, the humble crooner beamed as he talked to the newspaper about coming back into more of a regular high school experience.

"It means a lot to still be a part of this," he said. "It's still playing with my friends, just being back home. I'm blessed to have this opportunity."

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