POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Before reaching the bright lights of Major League ballparks, Rhyne Hughes first found his footing and built the foundation of his career at Pearl River Community College.

One of the best players in program history, Hughes will earn his rightful place in the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame Tuesday night at Hinds Community College's Clyde Muse Center.

"Some people have a favorite place — maybe a lake they grew up on or a field tied to childhood memories," Hughes said. "When I get back here, it doesn't matter what's going on — I know this is where I am supposed to be.

"The people, the atmosphere, everything about it. I just feel at home."

A standout at Picayune High School, Hughes arrived in Poplarville with just two college offers, but quickly transformed into one of the nation's most dominant players. During his freshman season, he hit .369 with nine home runs and 49 RBIs. As a sophomore, he elevated his game even further, batting .401 while leading the nation with 18 home runs and adding 70 RBIs, earning NJCAA Division II All-America honors as the MACJC's only selection that season. He also showed his versatility on the mound, going 4-0 with 24 strikeouts in 23 innings. Over two seasons as a Wildcat, Hughes helped lead the team to an 80-23 record, highlighted by the 2004 MACJC Championship.

That production came as no surprise to his former head coach and fellow Hall of Famer, Jay Artigues.

"Rhyne is without question the best hitter I've ever coached," Artigues said. "What was special about Rhyne was that even though he was one of the top prospects in the country, he always put the team first. He was a great teammate who absolutely loved his time at Pearl River. He is one of my favorite guys I ever had the pleasure to coach."

"As a player, this was the best decision I ever made," Hughes said. "I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to come here, and once I did, Pearl River opened every door possible for me."

For Hughes, the numbers and success don't define his time at Pearl River — the people do. The culture built within the program set it apart and continues to do so today.

"Those years were the most fun baseball I've ever played," Hughes said. "You live together, eat together and work out together. We built a home away from home, and we didn't even want to leave on the weekends."

The foundation built at Pearl River carried the left-handed slugger into professional baseball, where he was selected in the eighth round of the MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He spent nine seasons in the minor leagues, hitting .272 with 107 home runs and 451 RBIs before his breakthrough in 2009 led to a call-up with the Baltimore Orioles the following spring. On April 24, 2010, Hughes' lifelong dream became reality as he made his Major League debut in front of more than 38,000 fans at Fenway Park.

"It was surreal," Hughes said. "Growing up, I always admired Ted Williams — he had the prettiest left-handed swing. I get my first call-up and it's at Fenway, the same outfield he roamed. My family got to be there, and I went out about 30 minutes before the game just to take it all in."

Hughes didn't just arrive — he delivered immediately, singling in a run off John Lackey in his first Major League at-bat and finishing 2-for-5 in his debut.

"Before my first at-bat, we had one out with runners on first and third," Hughes said. "I remember thinking they didn't call me up here to walk. John Lackey threw a first-pitch fastball, and I let it rip. It got past (Kevin) Youkilis for my first hit and RBI. I felt like I was floating on first base.

"Being in the big leagues was everything I thought it would be. I got to play against guys I grew up watching. It was a surreal moment finally getting that call and being there at Fenway Park."

Even after reaching baseball's highest level, Hughes' connection to Pearl River never faded. He later returned to campus as an assistant coach under Michael Avalon, helping guide the Wildcats to a 2017 MACJC Championship.

When the call came that he would represent Pearl River in the Hall of Fame, Hughes had to pull over on the side of the road.

"When Avie called me, I got choked up," Hughes said. "I pulled off the interstate and just sat there for a second. This place means a lot to me, and these people mean a lot to me. I immediately thought about everyone who has been a part of this program. I can't thank them enough for selecting me this year.

"To be inducted into this Hall of Fame is truly an honor. This is the highest honor of my baseball career, and the fact that I get to represent Pearl River makes it even more special."

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